By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Quebec Liberal Caucus held a press conference Thursday, marking the conclusion of its three-day retreat in Bromont, Quebec. The event, attended by several federal MPs, focused on key issues facing Quebec and Canada, with Brome-Missisquoi MP Pascale St-Onge and Quebec Caucus Chair Stéphane Lauzon leading the discussions.
Opening the event, Minister of Canadian Heritage St-Onge, welcomed attendees to her home riding. She highlighted local achievements, such as the renovation of a church into the Centre culturel St-John, which was realized through collaboration between the federal government, Quebec, and the city of Bromont.
“We have invested in this community, in its creativity, and its future,” said St-Onge, emphasizing the importance of local infrastructure projects and innovations like the development of semiconductor industries in the region. Bromont has become a hub for thousands of jobs, particularly in advanced industries, crucial to Canada’s relations with the United States. St-Onge referred to President Joe Biden’s address to the Canadian Parliament, where he underscored the significance of strengthening semiconductor supply chains, a key issue highlighted during the retreat.
During the retreat, MPs also visited Frelighsburg Experimental Farm, a research facility that St-Onge said had been shut down by the Conservative government in 2012. Thanks to efforts by the Trudeau government, it reopened in 2016, supporting agricultural research in the region, particularly in viticulture. St-Onge stressed that these initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to science, research, and supporting local industries.
