Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I wish to tell the House that, pursuant to Standing Order 43(2), the following period of debate allotted to our party will be divided in two.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1997, with 47% of the vote.
Social Security Programs October 7th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I wish to tell the House that, pursuant to Standing Order 43(2), the following period of debate allotted to our party will be divided in two.
Social Program Reform October 7th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, would it not be simpler for the minister to admit that this discussion paper fully contradicts the principles which he supported when he was in opposition?
Social Program Reform October 7th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development.
Initial reaction to the discussion paper on social programs was unanimous in denouncing both the approach and the content of government proposals. Some critics even come from Liberals. A colleague of the minister said out loud what many secretly think when he stated that "the minister has taken a baseball bat to go after the poorest ones".
How can the minister hope to convince Canadians of the validity of his reform when he cannot even convince his own colleagues?
Social Program Reform October 6th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, we waited for the discussion paper on the reform of social programs for a very long time, and we are all deeply disappointed with it.
In fact, all Quebecers and Canadians are concerned about the impact of these reforms on their quality of life and particularly on the poorest members of society. Even some Liberal members dissociate themselves from the discussion paper presented by the Minister of Human Resources Development.
Indeed, last night, the member for York South-Weston said: «For the ten years we were the Official Opposition, we accused the Conservatives of lowering the deficit on the backs of the most needy, and now we are doing exactly the same thing».
Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1994 October 4th, 1994
Mr. Chairman, we would like to know whether we are voting on the amendment to the amendment or on the amendment, because we have an amendment moved by members of the Liberal Party and an amendment to the amendment moved by the Reform Party, if I am not mistaken. I would like to know which one we are voting on now.
Family Patrimony September 23rd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, can the minister give specific reasons for this two-year delay, including nearly one year under the Liberal government, and will he make a formal commitment today that the regulations will be adopted by Christmas?
Family Patrimony September 23rd, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Prime Minister or the Acting Prime Minister. After the Government of Quebec passed the Partition of the Family Patrimony Act, the government tabled Bill C-55, which received royal assent on September 29, 1992. Bill C-55 would provide for seizing or dividing federal pension benefits. Nearly two years after the bill was passed, the regulations have yet to be approved by the federal government.
Would the Prime Minister or his substitute agree that after waiting for two years, the federal cabinet should move quickly to adopt the regulations so that Quebecers who have been disadvantaged as a result of this situation can obtain the pension share to which they are entitled?
Social Program Reform June 17th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, are we to understand from the minister's answer that the only way to reduce unemployment is to force people onto welfare?
Social Program Reform June 17th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, newspapers are reporting this morning that in a report which is now before Cabinet, the human resources minister's panel of experts on social program reform has recommended that further cuts of up to $6 billion be made to the unemployment insurance program, which would result in over 500,000 claimants being disentitled.
Will the Minister of Human Resources Development commit now to rejecting out of hand this despicable recommendation aimed once again at reducing the federal deficit at the expense of the unemployed and the most disadvantaged among us?
National Public Service Week June 14th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, this week is National Public Service Week, and I want to salute the tens of thousands of people who serve the public.
These days, being a public servant is no easy task. The pressure and the expectations are unrelenting, and yet this government rarely, if ever, shows its appreciation.
In a society which has undeniably become more complex and more difficult to understand in all its aspects, the role of public servants is essential to our economic and social development.
Often, it is public servants who remind the government of the citizens' real concerns.
I take the opportunity of this week dedicated to public servants to acknowledge the professionalism and skills of all those who work behind the scene to serve the public.