Honourable senators, I rise today to acknowledge that we are quickly approaching the end of this session.

This past year has certainly been unpredictable, and at this time I would like to take the opportunity to say a sincere thank you to the entire Senate family, from the pages to the maintenance staff, to Senate administration and every staff member in each of our senators’ offices here in Ottawa and beyond. Your ongoing support and tireless dedication make it possible for us to complete our work here in the Red Chamber and outside, and makes it a little easier to look good while we’re doing it because of your work.

As we enter the summer, I would like to once again highlight the importance of buying and eating local food. In fact, just last week was Local Food Week in my home province of Ontario. This week-long event celebrates the bounty of fresh, healthy food that is locally grown, produced and processed here in the province.

That said, from coast to coast to coast, the whole country offers amazing varieties of agricultural products. In fact, I challenge each of you to build an entire meal from Canadian products. You could pick up some Alberta beef, pair it with asparagus from Ontario, alongside a heaping helping of P.E.I. potatoes and maybe even a glass of wine from beautiful British Columbia, or Ontario, and fresh strawberries from Quebec for dessert. The options to create a Canadian-made meal are endless.

And then I challenge you to post a photo of your meal on social media with the hashtag FoodDayCanada. Using this hashtag is another way we can all support our domestic agricultural sector by celebrating Food Day Canada on Saturday, July 31, and every Saturday of the August long weekend going forward.

Food Day Canada is an opportunity to highlight and appreciate the diverse and nutritious food products that we have access to. As founder, the late Anita Stewart would say, “Canada is food and the world is richer for it.”

I think we’ve all learned how important it is to support locally owned shops over the course of this pandemic. Buying local helps a neighbour in your community keep their small business afloat, which can mean all the difference during these challenging times. It also helps boost our local economies, meaning more small and family-run businesses not only survive but thrive.

Honourable colleagues, I hope this summer you will take the opportunity to support your community in any number of ways, whether it’s by shopping in your neighbourhood farmer’s market, enjoying a meal on a patio or virtually attending a fair, festival or other locally organized event. Thank you. Meegwetch.