House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2008, with 5% of the vote.
Fisheries and Oceans November 24th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, first it was cod, then shrimp, and now lobster.
Does the minister not realize that, anytime the federal government makes political decisions about quotas, the impact not only on Quebec fishers but also on the resource is simply disastrous? Is the minister waiting for the ocean to be empty before changing his approach?
Fisheries and Oceans November 24th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, after his unilateral decision to increase the shrimp fishing quotas for Newfoundland caused market prices to drop, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is now set to take away from Magdalen Island fishers a lobster fishing area that has been theirs since 1985 and give it to Prince Edward Island.
Is the minister's unilateral decision not hiding a strategy to take more fish stock away from Quebec fishers?
Business of Supply November 23rd, 2006
Mr. Speaker, earlier, at the beginning of his remarks, my colleague mentioned that some Conservative and Liberal members in this House were in fact impugning motives, in the same way that people often pass value judgments when they run out of arguments.
I wonder if my colleague could comment on the remarks made by the member who spoke just before him. He talked about the Bloc's presence in this House being almost illegitimate, as if Bloc members had not been democratically elected here. I think such comments are to be included with those insidious remarks that have no place here. We live in a democracy and we are fully entitled to represent people here. Indeed, we are here because we were democratically and legitimately elected.
I wonder if the hon. member could elaborate on this.
Business of Supply November 23rd, 2006
Mr. Speaker, first off, the member for Lévis—Bellechasse provided us with a definition he found in a dictionary, and I would like to point out to him the fact that his research was not very thorough, because I do not believe he is intellectually dishonest. He used only one definition that relates to a country. He did not use the definition that relates to people. I too can bring dictionaries into this House. I refer to the definition of the word “nation” in the Le Petit Larousse as it concerns people:
Large community of people, typically living within the same territory and having, to a certain extent, a shared history, language, culture and economy—
I would ask my colleague, the member for Lévis—Bellechasse, a Quebecker, why he left out this very important element?
Economic Development November 23rd, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the work done by Transport Canada to make the dock at Pointe-au-Père safe jeopardized the sea water intake at the Institut des sciences de la mer aquaculture station at Rimouski. The Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec finally understood—when the situation had been clear for several months—that the situation was urgent and that he had to get involved in this matter.
Given that an announcement is imminent, does the Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec intend to establish, in the near future, a schedule for the work that is needed to move the sea water intake, this infrastructure being absolutely essential to the development of the Technopole maritime du Québec in Rimouski?
Canada Elections Act November 7th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech.
I would like to know her opinion on attempts at electoral fraud or attempts at undue influence in seniors’ homes, when seniors may occasionally find themselves confused and easily influenced.
Does she think that these corrections and amendments will bring about greater respect for their intellectual integrity?
Bank of Canada Act November 7th, 2006
asked for leave to introduce Bill C-380, An Act to amend various legislative provisions relating to head offices.
She said: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I apologize to my hon. colleague and thank her for giving unanimous consent. I would like to point out that my seconder is the hon. member for Gatineau.
I have the privilege of introducing a bill to amend various legislative provisions to remove the requirement that certain agencies, corporations and courts have their head offices in Ottawa. Federal legislation requiring of a number of federal entities that they have their head offices specifically in the national capital is out of step with the times.
This legislation unduly benefits Ottawa in terms of government procurement, property leasing as well as jobs, at the expense of other regions of Quebec and Canada, and the Outaouais region in particular. I hope that all my hon. colleagues in this House will support this bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Diabetes Month November 2nd, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the month of November is devoted to diabetes, a disease that is affecting increasing numbers in the 21st century. This chronic, incurable disease is caused by a lack of insulin in the body or the body's inability to properly use normal amounts of insulin. It affects almost half a million Quebeckers. Even more worrying is the fact that half of these people do not know about their condition and the WHO believes the number of diabetics will double by 2025.
The social cost of diabetes is enormous. It amounts to two billion dollars per year in direct and indirect costs in Quebec. However, we can work to overcome this disease by investing in research and prevention. The Government of Canada must do its share and transfer the necessary funds to Quebec so that it can increase funding for research, carry out more screening and continue to promote a healthy lifestyle among the population.
I take this opportunity to thank all those who are involved in the fight against this scourge called diabetes.
Laurent Leblond October 20th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, on August 31, 2006, Laurent Leblond received the 2006 Héron d'or, a tribute awarded by the Rimouski international jazz festival. This public recognition serves to underscore Mr. Leblond's important contribution to the cultural spirit of Rimouski, and to the development and longevity of the jazz festival.
Mr. Leblond has been a journalist for nearly 40 years and has always made it his duty to draw attention to the cultural events in our vast region. His love of culture, and especially music, are no less than infectious.
I would first like to thank Mr. Leblond for his contribution to the enrichment of our cultural life in the Lower St. Lawrence. I would also like to shine the spotlight on his outstanding contribution to the longevity of the Rimouski international jazz festival, and finally, I would like to sincerely congratulate Mr. Leblond.
Business of Supply October 19th, 2006
I want to thank my colleague for her question. She will not be surprised to learn that this issue affects me deeply and is important to me as a Quebecker, a member of Parliament, a member of the Bloc Québécois and as a citizen.
When we talk about culture, we are talking about our very identity, our quest for meaning, our opportunity to express ourselves and to convey our identity through our traditions.
This must not be lost. This must enrich not only our lives but the lives of everyone with whom we come in contact. Our lives in turn can be enriched through contact with their culture.
It is very serious when a government that is responsible for a society attacks its cultural programs, because by doing so it is attacking the identity of the very people it is responsible for. It is terrible.