Pauline Picard

[Louis Bilodeau, November 29th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, tuning into the television program Soirée canadienne, hosted by Mr. Louis Bilodeau from 7 to 8 p.m., was a Saturday-night ritual for thousands of viewers. Mr. Bilodeau passed away last Saturday.

Soirée canadienne has not been broadcast for 20 years but was one of the most popular shows in Quebec. It was on the air for over two decades and Louis Bilodeau hosted 985 instalments. Every Saturday evening, notable individuals, from the mayor to the priest, from many Quebec municipalities would star on this celebration of Quebec folklore. Call and response songs, square dancing and fiddling were featured on the program. This show brought Quebec folklore, a mixed heritage inspired by old French songs, the Irish jig and Scottish music, into our homes every Saturday evening.

My Bloc Québécois colleagues and I offer our most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Bilodeau.

[Business of Supply, November 23rd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the original Bloc Québécois motion asked parliamentarians to recognize that Quebeckers form a nation. Period.

We avoided tying recognition of the Quebec nation to other considerations so that it would be acceptable to all, sovereignists and federalists alike. This motion is not an acknowledgment of Quebec as a sovereign state. Quebeckers will decide that question in accordance with the democratic rules established by the National Assembly. Unlike the Bloc Québécois motion, that of the Prime Minister imposes a partisan condition. The Prime Minister has tied the existence of the Quebec nation to its belonging to a united Canada.

The Quebec nation is currently found within Canada. We recognize this fact and that is why we amended our motion accordingly. However, we cannot expect this nation, which exists within Canada, to cease to exist if it were no longer tied to Canada. We are a nation because we are what we are, no matter what future we choose. We are a nation, unconditionally. That is the bottom line.

[Business of Supply, November 23rd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to set the record straight about something my Liberal colleague said. I think he misled the House earlier when he quoted Mr. Boisclair. I would like to remind him that Mr. Boisclair said earlier today in the media that the text of the motion sends a false message about a united Canada because Quebec did not sign the Constitution, and that the Conservatives' motion is a motion of convenience more than anything else. It has no real meaning and is merely symbolic.

I would like my colleague to tell me why he cannot vote on a simple motion that recognizes Quebeckers as a nation unless that motion contains the words “united Canada”. Why the words “united Canada”?

[Foreign Affairs, November 10th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, is the minister aware that, because of the uncertainty and delays around grants for the cultural centres in London and Paris, tours have been refused and some activities have been discontinued? Does he deny that?

[Foreign Affairs, November 10th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, despite what the Minister of Foreign Affairs says, cuts of $12 million have hurt the public diplomacy fund, with the result that the Canadian cultural centres in London and Paris have become empty shells. The minister's explanation for this is that the money earmarked for the fund has not been cut, but is being reassessed.

Is the fact that these two centres still have not received their grants not further proof that the minister has decided simply to cut the public diplomacy fund?

[ADISQ Gala, November 3rd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, last Sunday, at the 28th annual gala of the Association québécoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo or ADISQ, Kaïn, a group from Drummondville, was nominated in five categories.

The band, composed of Steve Veilleux, Patrick Lemieux, Éric Maheu and Yanick Blanchette, was ultimately named “group of the year” that evening. This represents important recognition for these young men, after their many years of effort and hard work. They serve as a reminder that, through dedication and perseverance, we can fulfil our ambitions.

During the gala, Félix awards were handed out to various artists and artisans working in the music, performance and video industry. These artists are a true testament to the quality and diversity of artistic productions in Quebec.

I would like to congratulate the members of Kaïn, and all their partners, on this prestigious award. The entire Drummondville community is very proud of them.

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the government is not offering aboriginal peoples any new money. Chief Picard is not at all impressed by the announcement of $28 million for health, which he says is just window dressing. The government should not be cutting smoking cessation programs for aboriginals. Instead, it should be investing new money to improve health, housing and sanitation on reserves. What is it waiting for?

[Aboriginal Affairs, October 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, Regional Chief Ghislain Picard said he was extremely disappointed that the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development did not attend the aboriginal forum in Mashteuiatsh today because forum organizers had scheduled a workshop about social housing on reserves, an issue that falls exclusively under the federal government's jurisdiction.

Can the minister explain why he did not attend the workshop given that, according to Chief Picard, Quebec reserves alone need over 10,000 housing units?

[Homelessness, October 26th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, homeless people are being excluded more and more from public spaces. Too often, they are treated like second-class citizens. So said the organizers of La Nuit des sans-abri, an event held in Drummondville on October 20.

The gathering was held to raise awareness about the realities people deal with when they struggle with homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. It was an invitation to share and to promote social solidarity with the poor in our communities.

The theme of the event, “Personne n'est à l'abri”, was a reminder that no one is safe from homelessness. Any one of us could lose our job or our home, go through a bad break-up, or fall victim to illness, alcoholism or gambling addiction. In short, any person can go through really hard times and end up homeless or very poor.

The Bloc Québécois is asking the Conservative government to fight poverty and renew funding for homelessness.

[Committees of the House, October 24th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, members of the Bloc Quebecois will be voting in favour of the motion.