What was meant to be an outdoor summer barbecue became a cozy indoor community gathering on Thursday, July 9, as Member of Parliament Linda Lapointe welcomed residents to a free BBQ at Sugar Shack Farsa.
Heavy rain forced organizers to move the event indoors, but the change in plans did little to affect attendance. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., constituents from across Saint-Eustache and the surrounding riding gathered inside the rustic venue for a fun-filled afternoon.
Upon arriving, attendees were welcomed with a small Canadian flag and pin, along with a bag of candy and refreshments. Guests were then treated to a complimentary meal featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and soft drinks.
Throughout the event, members of Lapointe’s team worked behind the scenes and at serving stations, helping distribute food, greet residents and ensure everything ran smoothly. As dinner service got underway, lines quickly formed as attendees made their way through the serving area, adding their choice of condiments to freshly grilled hot dogs and hamburgers before finding a seat and enjoying the afternoon’s festivities.
Beyond serving meals, Lapointe’s constituency team spent the afternoon engaging with residents and answering questions about local and federal issues. The event gave attendees an opportunity to meet the people who work behind the scenes in the riding office and learn more about the services available to constituents throughout the year.
The barbecue featured a simple but popular menu, with guests lining up to receive their meals before finding seats throughout the venue. The relaxed format allowed residents to enjoy dinner while spending time with friends, family members and neighbours. For many attendees, the event served as both a community gathering and an opportunity to engage with the constituency office in a more informal setting than a public meeting or town hall.
Lapointe was on hand throughout the event, greeting attendees as they arrived and taking time to speak with residents. Addressing the crowd during the evening, she thanked the community for attending despite the weather.
“Even though it rained today I’m so glad that we were able to do the activity indoors,” she said. “Thank you for coming out in such big numbers; I’m blown away.”
A family-centric event
The event was free and open to the public, attracting families, seniors and residents from throughout the riding. The gathering also highlighted a recurring theme that emerged during Lapointe’s remarks: the importance of family.
Throughout her speech, she emphasized the role her family has played in supporting her political career. Several members of her family were present, including her partner, one of her four children and two of her grandchildren.
“If you want to be successful in politics, you need to be heavily supported by your family,” Lapointe told attendees as she introduced relatives seated among the crowd.
She also spoke about the demands of life in politics and acknowledged the support her family has provided throughout election campaigns and parliamentary sessions. Their presence at the event offered residents a glimpse into the personal side of a public figure whose work often takes her between Ottawa and her constituency.
The evening’s focus on family was reflected not only in Lapointe’s speech but also in the makeup of the crowd. Families gathered around tables to share a meal, while community members of all ages took advantage of the opportunity to spend time together in a welcoming setting. The attendance of Lapointe’s own family reinforced the personal message she sought to convey throughout her remarks.
From table to parliament
In addition to discussing local issues with constituents, Lapointe used the event to provide an update on some of her recent work in Ottawa.
Among the topics she highlighted was a law called C-16, also known as the Protecting Victims Act, legislation that received Royal Assent on June 18. The bill introduces a series of criminal justice reforms designed to strengthen protections for victims of gender-based violence, intimate partner violence and sexual exploitation, while also expanding measures aimed at protecting children from predators.
Speaking about the work completed during the most recent parliamentary session, Lapointe pointed to the law as one example of legislation that she believes will have a tangible impact on Canadian families.
“This past June we passed a law called C-16. It’s a piece of legislation that aims to protect victims and keep kids safe from predators,” she said.
The legislation includes measures targeting child sexual exploitation, online abuse and the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, including sexually explicit deepfakes. It also creates a new Criminal Code offence addressing coercive control in intimate relationships and introduces additional protections for victims navigating the justice system.
Lapointe said the bill reflects ongoing efforts in Parliament to address modern forms of victimization while providing law enforcement and the courts with stronger tools to respond to serious offences. The legislation was one of several parliamentary accomplishments she referenced while reflecting on the past year of work in Ottawa.
She also spoke about her role as president of the Liberal Women’s Caucus and the importance of improving representation in politics.
According to Lapointe, having more women in positions of leadership helps bring a wider range of perspectives to decision-making and creates opportunities to advocate for issues affecting women and families across the country. She noted that the increasing number of women serving in Parliament represents an important step toward ensuring that government institutions better reflect the diversity of the population they serve.
Her comments also carried a message of encouragement for younger women. She stressed that opportunities exist across a wide range of fields, including trades, technology and the sciences, and encouraged young people to pursue their goals regardless of the career path they choose.
While the weather may have changed the venue, it did little to dampen the sense of community that filled the room throughout the afternoon.
