Senator Poirier: Thank you. I appreciate it.

Senator Gold, your government also introduced Bill S-14 on October 19. That was a few days before the $30-million announcement from Minister Guilbeault. The timing is interesting, as both announcements on a related issue were made at the same time. As government leader, could you shed light on this? Is the announcement of October 24 related in any way to the measures contained in Bill S-14?

Hon. Rose-May Poirier: Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to Georges R. LeBlanc, an Acadian veteran who passed away in Moncton on October 15 at the age of 100, surrounded by his family.

Born in Memramcook on January 6, 1923, Mr. Leblanc was a veteran of the Second World War and a highly respected member of his community. He fought in the Canadian army in Eastern Europe in 1945 with the Régiment de la Chaudière.

Last January, he was honoured by the Memramcook Golden Age Club for becoming a centenarian. He was one of the two remaining Acadian World War II veterans from Memramcook.

I want to extend my sincere condolences to Mr. Leblanc’s family and friends.

These days, it is becoming increasing important to honour the veterans who are still with us, along with the memory of those who have died. I had the honour to pay tribute to four Acadian veterans from my region when they were awarded the Senate 150th Anniversary Medal in 2017 and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal last February. All four of them were very active and engaged in their community, and I commend them for that.

They were Léonard Boucher of Bouctouche, a veteran with the Pictou Highlanders, Paul Maillet of Coal Branch, who made a valuable contribution as a volunteer with the Harcourt Legion, Léonard Pitre of Rogersville, who has been active in his community with the air cadets and the legion, and Edmond Daigle of Richibucto. The most senior member of the Richibucto Legion is still actively involved in his community. Mr. Daigle will be celebrating his 98th birthday on November 13, and I want to wish him a wonderful birthday.

I would also like to thank all the brave women and men who protect our freedom and safety in these times of turmoil. This Remembrance Day, we need to pause for a moment to acknowledge all those who have made sacrifices to give us peace and freedom.

Honourable senators, we must keep honouring them every year on Remembrance Day so that their sacrifice and memory live on. Please join me in commemorating all those who served to protect our freedom and in thanking them for their sacrifice. Lest we forget.

Thank you.

[English]

Hon. Rose-May Poirier: My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

On October 24, Minister Guilbeault announced a joint investment of $30 million with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, or NCC, to further protect 10 national parks, which include Kouchibouguac National Park near my home in Kent County. The press release on the NCC’s website states that the funds could be used for land purchase, donation and agreements with land owners. People in Kent County are still reeling from the expropriation of 250 families in 1960.

Government leader, can you guarantee the people of Kent County that the Liberal government will not repeat the mistakes of the past, mistreating and unjustly displacing people without consent around the park in Kouchibouguac?