Robert Lanctôt

[Supply, September 25th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the government member if it is not time to show these terrorists what a democracy is all about. We live in a democracy with a parliamentary system. Debates must be held, not just take note debates, but real debates that conclude with a vote.

Does the hon. member find it normal that the Bloc Quebecois has to use an opposition day to propose a motion to debate such an important issue? This should be a given in parliamentary system that is based on democracy? We are forced to use this day to present such a motion in order to have a debate followed by a vote on this most important matter.

When we see the deployments currently being made all over the world by the United States and Great Britain we have no choice but to say “There must be a vote in the House of Commons”.

These are the comments I wanted to make. I would like to hear those of the hon. member. It is important that all of us, as members of parliament, have an opportunity to vote on the issue.

[Supply, September 25th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, of course I commend my colleague for his speech. Earlier we heard the Minister of National Defence say something really incredible. I do not know if he is going through or listening to the same things as we are since September 11, but he is talking about a hypothetical situation.

He is taking only one fact, that is whether military personnel are being sent to one specific location. This is the only hypothetical question. The Americans have already deployed military personnel. Yesterday, Great Britain also deployed military personnel.

I find it incredible that we are being told that the situation is hypothetical. We are not in a hypothetical situation. From what we are seeing, we are probably in a war.

I would therefore like to ask my colleague this question. The Argentine government has offered to co-operate with the United States, provided its participation in a military response is submitted to a vote in parliament.

There is also France. If there is a need to make commitments on behalf of France, they could not be made by the executive without consulting, of course, the national assembly and the Senate. Such major countries as France and Argentina believe it is necessary to have debates and votes on situations such as these.

What are we to think about Canada when the government only wants to have take note and consultative debates and does not want to hold a vote on such major issues?

[Supply, September 25th, 2001]

Madam Speaker, during question period, when we came back we asked the Prime Minister if there would be a vote, since consulting the House appeared essential in such an important debate on the attacks. In his reply the Prime Minister indicated that there would be consultation in the House.

Our understanding was that it would not be mere consultation as part of an exploratory debate, but that a vote would be taken in the House of Commons to give ourselves some power.

Later the Prime Minister recanted. What does my colleague, the hon. member for Saint-Jean, think of that tactic on the government's part?

[Customs Act, September 24th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I am stunned to hear nothing in the remarks of the official opposition, following the discussions and questions that we have asked of the government today, about whether or not they have a budget and about how much it was going to invest in terms of dollar figures to implement better security without hindering the steady flow of goods and services. We need to allocate more money and more staff, not simply change the technology. Yes, there is missing infrastructure, but there is also a lack of staff at customs and at the border. We would like to congratulate the customs agents, given what has happened since September 11.

However, I would like to ask the member what kind of money would be necessary to improve border security.

[Children, September 18th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, as the result of last Tuesday's events in the United States, whole families were torn apart. In this context, my thoughts turn especially to the children of the victims of the attack.

Thousands of children are now orphans. Their life has changed for ever. We were all shaken by the events, but the effects of these acts of terror on children are much more widespread than we think.

Our children too are affected by the situation. We need to listen to them, comfort them and reassure them. We must make sure they are not motivated by rage and a desire for vengance. It is our duty to show them that dialogue is preferable to violence, and justice to vengeance.

To all children in the United States, Canada and Quebec and throughout the world, our thoughts are with you, because you are the finest symbol of life.

[Attack on the United States, September 17th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague from Roberval a short question.

When he refers to small groups of terrorists, when we hear that there are more than 25 and perhaps as many as 50 places where they may exist, does this also include countries that help these groups form?

[Attack on the United States, September 17th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I too would like to congratulate the customs officers. Pleasing as the minister's speech is, there are some aspects I would like to hear him address.

In Quebec recently there have been lineups of three hours or more. We are told that surveillance will be stepped up. If, however, the staff and the infrastructures are not there, and if the technology is not made accessible to customs officers, the lineups will be even longer, even if they are doing their level best.

At the Lacolle border crossing last week the wait was in excess of three hours. I wonder if it did not even reach six hours at one point. One can well imagine what will happen to commerce and to free trade if we say there will be more surveillance and more checks. There has to be staff for that. What can the minister tell us in this connection?

[Supply, June 12th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I want to go back to the question, not the one which was just answered, but the previous one, and say that as a new member of this House I think it is important that a mechanism be put in place to ensure that all bills that may be debated really be debated.

The requirement to collect 100 signatures could result in something tantamount to lobbying, because one has to know as many members as possible to get signatures. If this were the case, a new member would prefer a draw.

I am very pleased by the motion of the Canadian Alliance, because it would benefit all members equally, regardless of the number of signatures collected.

I ask the hon. member: Does he endorse these comments?

[Games Of La Francophonie, June 11th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois is proud today to be able to encourage Quebec's athletes who, when they take part in the Games of La Francophonie, to be held from July 14 to 24, will do so for the first time as representatives of Quebec.

At long last, Quebecers will have the pleasure of seeing the fleur-de-lis hoisted high for victories and will be able to share their pride in the performance of our Quebec athletes.

We all know how talented those athletes are. Now they will be able to show that they are a magnificent, resounding force that is here to stay.

This is only the beginning for our athletes from Quebec. Soon, as ambassadors of our sovereign nation, they will be able to display Quebec's colours, anthem, and flag. One day, they will wear the fleur-de-lis as a symbol of victory over adversity and of hope.

We salute them all and wish them good luck.

[Persons With Disabilities, June 6th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, in Quebec this is the week of persons with disabilities. I would like to remind the House on this occasion that, since 1996, the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec has promoted their rights and must continue to do so, despite all the progress made to date.

As a member of the Sub-committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities of the Standing Committee on Human Resources and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, I can say that we still, unfortunately, need to become more aware, even though, as the slogan for the week says, “Together, everyone wins”.

For a number of years, Quebec has been the leader in integrating persons with disabilities. The Bloc Quebecois believes it is time to follow Quebec's lead and achieve the objective of fully integrating people with disabilities into society.

Integration is vital. It is up to us to see to it right now, because, indeed, together, everyone wins.