Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was quebec.

Last in Parliament November 2005, as Bloc MP for Mégantic—L'Érable (Québec)

Lost his last election, in 2006, with 33% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Volunteerism April 20th, 2005

Mr. Speaker, last Saturday, the Centre d'action bénévole du Granit held its annual meeting to honour its volunteers.

Over 100 volunteers were honoured and presented with certificates. I congratulate them, particularly Gérard Fluet, who was named volunteer of the year for his dedication in the field of health.

I also want to mention the hard work done by all the volunteers in my riding; these skilled and dedicated workers make a remarkable contribution to our community.

Volunteer work is a unique way for people to help shape our community. Without the thousands of volunteers who work each day in the various cultural and social sectors, our society might be quite different. They have our thanks.

Gasoline Prices April 19th, 2005

Mr. Speaker, it is with great interest that I speak in support of my colleague's motion calling on the government to take action.

Mr. Speaker, you called out the name of my riding, Mégantic—L'Érable. Érable is French for maple. Well, this bill seeks to protect maple syrup producers. The increased prices have had a major impact on their industry.

Many sugar bush owners in my riding use petroleum products for heating and preparing their maple products. If prices are not monitored, then we are looking at monumental bankruptcies in the future. The higher prices affect these people directly. We must defend their interests. They deserve it.

The same is true in other sectors, such as agriculture. Again it is the farmers—

Budget Implementation Act, 2005 April 13th, 2005

Mr. Speaker, with a budget comes the allocation of public funds. The government makes choices and there are priorities.

Social housing was completely ignored the current budget. Instead, the government chose to invest in the army and to give funding to foundations.

I would like my colleague's opinion on this. I want to know what he thinks of the initiative to put $600 million into a specific fund.

Budget Implementation Act, 2005 April 13th, 2005

Mr. Speaker, my speech is also on poverty. Earlier it was mentioned that one of the goals of the budget was to address poverty.

I have on hand—and I would like the hon. member's comments on this—the Campaign 2000 national report on child poverty in Canada. According the report's findings, child poverty has increased in Canada, during an economic boom no less, to 15.6%. In other words, one in six children live in poverty in Canada. The report cited lack of political will.

Why is that poverty was not a priority in the budget, except, obviously, for tax measures?

Budget Implementation Act, 2005 April 13th, 2005

Madam Speaker, I would like to begin with congratulations to my colleague, not for his position on the budget but on his fatherhood. My congratulations to his wife as well. Parenthood is a joy, but being a grandfather is even more of a joy.

Now to return to his speech on this budget. He spoke of course of the price hikes for diesel, gas and energy. He also referred to wages dropping and to the possibility of a 10% drop in revenues. He did not say this, but there is absolutely nothing in the budget about poverty and families. How can he, a new parent, justify his position or his party's position in favour of such a budget?

Airline Industry March 21st, 2005

Mr. Speaker, when it came to developing the automotive industry in Ontario, the federal government had made commitments before even knowing the nature of the projects—time was of the essence.

So why, when it comes to the funding promised to Bombardier, is the federal government so obviously dragging its feet?

Airline Industry March 21st, 2005

Mr. Speaker, Quebec is competing with others for the assembly of the C series, even though Bombardier seems to have a preference for Mirabel. Despite what the minister has said, the matter is not settled, because the regional jet financing is not settled.

Does the federal government not understand that, by dragging its feet in this way on the regional jet financing, it is compromising the development of the C series, along with the economic development of Quebec? What is keeping it from making a move at last?

Chrysotile Industry March 7th, 2005

Madam Speaker, the people of Thetford Mines and Asbestos have just received some important news. At the conference of Rotterdam Convention member states to be held in Geneva in September 2005, chrysotile fibre will not be included in the list of hazardous substances.

In making this decision, the international community is definitively dissociating chrysotile from other asbestos fibres. It acknowledges that chrysotile can be extremely safe when encapsulated in cement, asphalt and plastic.

Finally, it recognizes the scientific value of the recent studies on bio-persistence demonstrating that many products used as substitutes for chrysotile show high levels of toxicity.

Today the chrysotile industry is enjoying new international credibility.

The Canadian government must take its cue from Quebec and implement a policy for promoting the safe use of chrysotile.

Observatoire du Mont Mégantic February 17th, 2005

Mr. Speaker, astronomy in Quebec is world renowned. The Observatoire du Mont Mégantic bears witness to Quebec's knowledge in the field—world class expertise, achieved in partnership with its universities.

I commend all the pioneers of Quebec astronomy and astrophysics, including Mr. Racine, who have made the Mont-Mégantic astrolabe a scientific research centre that responds to the aspirations of Quebeckers.

To keep its research at the leading edge and to uphold the prestige of its institutions, this sector needs proper long-term funding. The Bloc Québécois urges the federal government to support the long-term plan of the Coalition for Astronomy in the next budget in order to help astronomy flourish and retain its position as one of the world's best.

Department of Foreign Affairs Act February 14th, 2005

Allow me first, Mr. Speaker, to congratulate the member for La Pointe-de-l'Île. Her expertise is important. Her work is valued and we are quite fortunate to have a person like her. A while ago, we heard the member opposite talking nonsense. If he were the only person we could rely on to develop a foreign policy, we would have problems.

I would like to raise an important point. The member spoke of it. This has to do with human rights. For her, protecting rights is something major, especially in the context of international trade and of foreign policy. Indeed, she mentioned it several times. She also said—and it is important—that her knowledge of this file helps not only Quebec, but also Canada. We need people like her to advocate points of view. She also talked of priorities and of slippage, as well.

I want to come back to human rights. In the current context—I would like to hear her opinion on that—will human rights be protected? Will we have the necessary tools for it? Is there a force to protect human rights?