Louis Villeneuve
Brome—Missisquoi, Quebec · Liberal · Canada
“At that time, smart phones were barely a thing. In fact, they were only just coming onto the scene. Digital usage patterns were radically different. Data requirements were incomparable to what they are today. Since then, everything has changed, except the framework.”
“In a riding like Brome—Missisquoi, we get tens of thousands of visitors a year. They include families, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts who come to enjoy our scenery, our wineries and our local attractions.”
“Tourism companies may lose business opportunities. All this is to say that the cellular coverage issue in the regions does not just affect the year-round residents. It affects everyone who visits, invests and contributes to the economic vitality of our communities. (1750) In a riding like mine, cell service is not a luxury.”
“It means that a parent driving on a highway with their kids may have no way to reach someone in an emergency. It also means that a worker driving around a rural region may not have cell service for tens of kilometres. It also means that an accident could happen and there could be no immediate way to call for help.”
“Mr. Speaker, like my colleague, I began my career in radio. That was in 1974. I would imagine he was quite young then. At that time, more people were tuning into AM radio. I rise today with great interest to support Bill C-268 . This bill, introduced by my colleague, aims to improve cellular coverage in rural areas across Canada.”
“This makes no sense. As a result, there is a disconnect between what the numbers suggest and what citizens actually experience. When the data is flawed, so are the decisions. That is why the first good thing about Bill C-268 is that it tackles this problem at its root: the quality of the information.”
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“It reflects our best qualities: generosity, co-operation and shared responsibility. By protecting nature, we protect ourselves. We protect the water we drink, the air we breathe and the landscapes that define us. I therefore invite all my colleagues from all parties to support Motion No. 15 in order to encourage generosity toward nature and strengthen the tools we need to preserve our natural heritage.”
“This measure has increased cultural philanthropy by nearly 30%. Why not offer a similar tool to support conservation organizations? Some will say that these measures benefit the wealthiest. That is not the case. The majority of donations come from families who have been established in our region for generations. They are woodlot owners, people who voluntarily give up part of their inheritance for the common good and who are often much richer in land than in money. The cost to the government is relatively modest, $25 million to $35 million per year, according to official data. The return, however, is immense. Motion No. 15 is not partisan. It is part of Canada's 2030 nature strategy, our commitment to 30x30, and the global biodiversity framework for 2020-30.”
“This visionary gift protected more than 250 species of plants, 53 species of birds, critical habitats for black bears and bobcats, and part of a water source used by thousands of people. These examples are not just anecdotes. They are proof that Canadians take extraordinary action when they are given the right tools. However, the fact is that conservation projects are costly. Before the land is even acquired, biologists, surveyors, appraisers, notaries and lawyers must be hired and paid. Then there is ongoing work to be done in perpetuity. Monetary donations are essential to financing this work, but the current incentives are insufficient. However, we can draw inspiration from a model that has proven successful in Quebec, namely, the additional tax credit for a first major cultural donation.”
“In Lac‑Brome and Sutton, two recent ecological donations have helped protect nearly 20 hectares located in the Montagnes‑Vertes ecological corridor, a cross-border corridor that is critical to the survival of many species. Another example is the Brière forest between Sutton and Potton. This 540-hectare area was to be subdivided for housing development. An ecologically valuable forest the size of 1,000 football fields could have been turned into a housing development. The housing that would have been built in this bucolic environment would not have been affordable housing. It was a development that would have brought in $7.4 million in revenue. However, the owner, Guy Brière, chose to make an ecological donation.”
“15 proposes that the government modernize its tax tools by enhancing incentives for ecological donations, creating a tax credit equivalent to the monetary donations made to conservation organizations and ensuring tax fairness among the different types of donations. In other words, it is about updating a 30-year-old tax framework to meet present-day needs and help us achieve our goals. Protecting nature is not a cost; it is an investment. Wetlands prevent flooding, forests filter our water and healthy soils reduce heat islands. The latest analyses show that every dollar invested in nature yields up to $20 in benefits for the community. I will give a few concrete examples from our region.”
“Without the voluntary participation of landowners, we will never reach our national conservation goals. (1805) This is why ecological gifts play such an essential role. Since 1995, more than 220,000 hectares across the country have been protected through the ecological gifts program. However, the reality is that conservation organizations have ongoing responsibilities, including monitoring sites, restoring habitats, responding to ecological threats and ensuring long-term management. The truth is that they rarely have adequate funding to carry out these tasks. Additionally, the current tax incentives for monetary donations, which support these responsibilities, are insufficient to encourage the environmental philanthropy we need to achieve our conservation targets. Motion No.”
“Who today would even think of destroying this natural environment? When I talk about protecting natural environments, it is not a matter of ideology. It is a matter of taking responsibility and action. By defending these projects, we have taken concrete steps towards preserving the natural heritage of our region. It is with these same values in mind that I am moving Motion No. 15 today to give citizens, landowners and conservation organizations the fiscal tools they need to protect even more territory before it is lost forever. Let us think of future generations. What do we want to leave to them? Canada has committed to conserving 30% of its territory by 2030. However, one fact remains. In many regions, such as the Eastern Townships, more than 90% of the territory consists of private land.”
“With its lake, its forests and its peak, Mont Gale is an exceptional natural area. The conservation network that surrounds it ensures the protection of a diversified habitat for flora and fauna. These achievements speak to a deep conviction that safeguarding nature is a long-term investment, not a barrier to development. It demonstrates that it is perfectly possible for quality of life, recreation and tourism, and respect for the environment to coexist. It takes vision, now and for the long term. If I may, I would like to step back in time, to 1876, to be exact. In that era, no one had ever heard of climate change. In 1876, the City of Montreal commissioned Frederick Olmsted, one of the two architects who designed Central Park, to work on a design for Mount Royal Park, which features 423 hectares of natural areas protected in perpetuity.”
“It still sends a shiver down my spine when I think of how this area was once slated for residential development, but thanks to grassroots campaigning, the involvement of local communities, municipal leadership, and the vital work of conservation organizations, particularly Appalachian Corridor, the Société de conservation du mont Brome and the Nature Conservancy of Canada, it is now protected in perpetuity for the enjoyment of future generations. These partners played a critical role not only in preserving these lands, but also in integrating them into a sustainable vision of land use planning where conservation, responsible access, and ecosystem health are all taken into consideration. The protected area today features scenic lookouts and a network of trails where families, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy nature safely.”
“During my term, we carried out a major conservation project to protect the southern face of Mont Brome in Bromont. This ecologically valuable area is an essential link in the network of natural environments surrounding the city. Thanks to this project, we were able to preserve more than 17 hectares of woodlands, forested slopes and exceptional landscapes, while maintaining a balance between municipal development, recreational offerings and conservation. We also contributed to a second major project: the protection of Mont Gale, one of Bromont's most iconic areas.”
“He said: Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to move Motion No. 15, a motion that is deeply rooted in our land, our forests, our mountains, our rivers and our communities. It is based on a commitment we all share, that of protecting nature, not in theory, but on the ground through meaningful and sustainable actions. Protecting the environment is the reason I got into politics. Before coming here, I volunteered at Protégeons Bromont and worked as a municipal councillor. I then had the privilege of serving as the mayor of Bromont for eight years. I say this with great humility: It is by working together with citizens, conservation organizations, elected officials at all levels of government and landowners that we were able to take decisive action to preserve our natural heritage.”
“moved: Motion That: (a) the House recognize that, (i) the Government of Canada has committed to conserving 30% of territory by 2030 in order to address biodiversity loss and strengthen the resilience of our ecosystems, (ii) in the Eastern Townships, approximately 91% of the territory consists of private land, 63% is covered by forests, wetlands and waterways, and more than 130 endangered species have been identified, (iii) the voluntary conservation of private land is a key lever for achieving this national objective, (iv) the Ecological Gifts Program (EGP) has enabled many landowners to contribute to the protection of invaluable natural environments, (v) recognized conservation organizations must finance their day-to-day operations and long-term stewardship costs that are generally not eligible for government programs (e.g., due diligence, legal and transaction costs, monitoring, restoration, reports, governance), (vi) the increase in the number of projects multiplies these operating costs and creates a structural funding deficit, making philanthropic monetary donations essential to maintain and accelerate the pace of conservation, (vii) tax parity between in-kind donations (land, easements) and monetary donations to recognized conservation organizations would ensure fairness among donors, secure operational funding, and stimulate large-scale protection of natural environments; and (b) in the opinion of the House, the government should, (i) recognize the importance of increasing the federal tax credit granted to financial landlords who make an ecological donation through the EGP, (ii) recognize the importance of granting a tax credit equivalent to the monetary donations made to recognized conservation organizations to support the operating and stewardship costs of protected land, (iii) consider amending the Income Tax Act to ensure tax fairness among the different types of conservation donations, with a view to reaching the biodiversity protection targets the government has already set.”
“Madam Speaker, we know that our government has invested $150 million in CBC/Radio-Canada. We know how important culture and information are to Canada. I would like my colleague to share his thoughts on the importance of this investment and its impact on our communities.”
“Mr. Speaker, many community members in my riding of Brome—Missisquoi work in the natural resources industry and the manufacturing sector. They rely on strong, flexible infrastructure and supply chains to buy and sell the goods they need to support our local economy. The Saguenay port is a strategic link for Canadian industry, benefiting all of Canada by playing an important role as an economic catalyst. Can the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement explain how the $57.6-million commitment in the budget will stimulate economic development?”
“Mr. Speaker, judging by what the opposition parties are saying, one would think there is absolutely nothing good in this budget, everything is wrong and nothing works. Canada is facing a rapidly changing world that is more uncertain than ever, as we know. The rules-based international order and the trading system that powered Canada's prosperity for decades are being reshaped. Our AAA credit rating is the top credit rating in the world. The debt-to-GDP ratio is the lowest in the G7, and the long-term interest rate is the lowest in the G7, despite the current situation. Does my colleague agree that we need to work together?”
“Mr. Speaker, as a former mayor, I am concerned about issues related to aging infrastructure and the housing shortage. This affects not only urban ridings, but also rural ridings like mine, Brome—Missisquoi. The government has committed to investing in housing and infrastructure as part of the “Canada Strong” budget. This is a once-in-a-generation investment. Can the Minister of Finance and National Revenue tell the House what measures are being taken to build faster and more boldly than ever before in ridings like mine?”
“Mr. Speaker, today I would like to highlight the exceptional contribution of the 2025 edition of Bromont Ultra. Since its inception, this philanthropic sporting event has raised over $5 million for causes that bring us together. That is a remarkable achievement, a reflection of the solidarity and resolve that define our region. It was with great sadness that we learned of the tragic passing of Richard Cauchon, a long-time volunteer and former executive director of the organization. Richard was the epitome of generosity, dedication and kindness. His smile and devotion will leave a lasting impression on the hearts of all who knew him. On behalf of the people of Bromont and Brome—Missisquoi, I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Sylvie Adam, his family, his loved ones and the entire Bromont Ultra family.”
“Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honour my 93-year-old father, André, who is visiting Ottawa. His honesty, wisdom and humanity have made him a constant source of inspiration to me. Through him, I want to recognize all the women and men who built the country that we have the good fortune to live in today. Our seniors are the living memory of our nation. They remind us that intergenerational solidarity is central to our identity. Honouring our elders means recognizing their contributions and carrying on their work by doing our part to build a just, welcoming and humane country. I want to thank my father for the example he set and for everything his generation accomplished.”
“Mr. Speaker, the semiconductor industry is at the heart of our national security and our economic competitiveness. In Brome—Missisquoi, we are fortunate to have the Centre de Collaboration MiQro Innovation, the largest microelectronics and semiconductor research centre in the country. I would like to acknowledge the exceptional contribution of its CEO, Marie-Josée Turgeon. She recently got international recognition for her visionary leadership when she received the Engineer Woman Award as part of FEMWORX 2025 at Hannover Messe, the world's leading trade fair for industrial technology. This distinction reflects her commitment and ability to drive change in a rapidly changing sector. Ms. Turgeon is also a member of the G7 Semiconductor Point of Contact group, which is helping to position Canada as a key player in this strategic industry.”
“I congratulate the local stakeholders who are working to preserve and improve this vital network. I reiterate my support for this initiative, both here and across the country.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the first time in the House. First of all, I would like to thank the people of Brome—Missisquoi for placing their trust in me. I will be a hands-on MP, and I will listen to what they have to say. This victory would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my campaign team, the volunteers, and my wife, Sylvie, who has been a source of invaluable support. Today, I would like to recognize that we celebrated International Trails Day in Eastman by honouring the Trans Canada Trail, a true national treasure that connects Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Since 2019, tens of thousands of dollars have been invested in our trails in Brome—Missisquoi. The plan is to invest $154,000 by 2026 to improve access and enhance the experience.”