June 1, 2026

Newsletter – May 31st

Two Weeks in the Community

Over the past two weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to spend time across our community, meeting with residents, local organizations, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and community leaders who make LaSalle—Émard—Verdun such a vibrant and inspiring place. Whether at community events, local festivals, meetings with stakeholders, or simply out and about in the neighbourhoods, every conversation reminds me of the strength, generosity, and resilience of our community.

This edition of the newsletter highlights just some of the activities, events, and meetings I’ve had the privilege of taking part in recently. Of course, it only captures a small portion of the work happening every day, both here in the riding and in Ottawa. I encourage you to follow along on social media to stay up to date and get a fuller picture of the work we are doing together on behalf of our community.

These weeks spent in the riding are always especially meaningful to me. They are an opportunity not only to listen and learn, but also to bring your ideas, concerns, and priorities back with me to Ottawa. The conversations I have here help guide and fuel the work I do in Parliament every day.

Your Voice in Ottawa, Grounded in Our Community

I was thrilled to join Prime Minister Mark Carney as he broke ground on Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Matawinie project, supported by the Major Projects Office, marking a major step forward in strengthening Canada’s economic resilience and independence.

As the largest graphite mine in the G7, this transformative project is expected to create more than 1,000 good-paying jobs, attract close to $2 billion in investment, and help build an integrated, low-carbon battery supply chain here in Canada.

As Parliamentary Secretary, I am proud to have worked alongside Nouveau Monde Graphite and its CEO, Éric Desaulniers, to help advance this nation-building project. By investing in critical minerals produced here at home, Canada is reinforcing its position as a reliable global partner in the energy transition while reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.

EN SAVOIR PLUS

EN SAVOIR PLUS

I had the pleasure of visiting Le Garde-Manger Pour Tous, an organization in our riding that, for more than 30 years, has done far more than prepare meals: it feeds children, supports families, and helps strengthen the social fabric of our community.

In their kitchens, every lunch prepared tells a story of solidarity. Every hot meal delivered to a school represents a concrete effort to ensure thousands of children can learn, grow, and dream on a full stomach.

I was deeply moved by the dedication of the staff and volunteers who, day after day, make access to healthy food more humane, more dignified, and more accessible. Thanks to partnerships between governments, schools, and community organizations, initiatives like those led by GMPT help reduce inequalities and provide meaningful support to families in Montreal.

Their mission is a powerful reminder that investing in children is, above all, an investment in the future of our communities.

I also led an economic workshop with CHAFRIC, a non-profit organization that, since 2001, has supported individuals from ethnocultural minority communities in their social, cultural, and economic integration. CHAFRIC turns individual stories into pathways of opportunity, helping open the door to more concrete and accessible economic inclusion.

During the workshop, we took time to reflect together on today’s business realities. Entrepreneurship is full of uncertainty, and while technology is accelerating change, it doesn’t always make it easier to predict. We also discussed timing: a good idea on its own isn’t always enough if the market or the tools aren’t yet ready to support it.

Finally, one fundamental point came out of the discussion: the importance of diversity within teams. In a country like Canada, diversity is not just a social reality, it is a real strength.

Different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking coming together allow us to better understand complex problems, make stronger decisions, and build innovation that is more human and more connected to people’s everyday lives.

I visited the Old Brewery Mission’s newest project on Monk alongside James Hughes.

This project, consisting of 18 social and off-market housing units and funded by the federal government, will support individuals transitioning out of homelessness by providing a stable environment as well as the necessary support to promote long-term reintegration.

It is one of many projects in our riding where Canada is actively building housing and delivering concrete solutions to increase supply and address housing needs.

I also had the opportunity to attend the Souper des grands Verdunois, where we recognized the dedication of volunteers and residents who, for many years, have helped make Verdun a strong and united community.