Guy Arseneault

[Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, March 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, as this is Private Members' Business, I go on record as supporting the amendment.

(The House divided on the amendment, which was agreed to on the following division):

[Supply, March 21st, 1995]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The flower goes to the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada.

Even if the stand taken by the FCFA on the referendum issue is not as firm as it should be, it is now clear that the federation is on the No side, something which was not quite clear a few weeks ago.

The FCFA hopes that Quebecers will vote no but, unfortunately, it will not go any further in its efforts to convince them of the virtues of federalism.

The federation deserves a flower for clarifying its stand, but only one. It will get the bouquet when it takes on the role that it should assume regarding this issue and actively participates in the No campaign, as is the wish of the vast majority of French-speaking Canadians outside Quebec.

The pot goes to the Bloc member for Rimouski-Témiscouata.

That member should think twice before opening her mouth. That could prevent her from talking nonsense as she did last week, when she said that the only way to save the French language in Canada is through a sovereign Quebec.

Such comments clearly show how little Quebec politicians know about the French fact outside Quebec.

As for the "meddling" argument, it is getting pretty thin. The Quebec referendum is a national issue, no matter what the hon. member and others say, and francophones outside Quebec have as much right to speak to this issue as Quebecers.

Francophones outside Quebec have kept silent for too long, which explains why it took so long before they obtained their language rights in some provinces. From now on, they will be heard loud and clear on issues which affect them, including the Quebec referendum.

The article is signed by Nelson Landry.

[Supply, March 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, today, in this House, French-speaking members from outside Quebec were criticized on a few occasions. We also heard the Bloc Quebecois claim to be the protector of Francophonie outside Quebec. I wish to correct that view and make a comment based on an article published yesterday in a New Brunswick newspaper, L'Acadie Nouvelle , and written by the editor, Mr. Nelson Landry. The article is entitled The flower and the pot :

Following the war of words involving the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, the FCFA, and Bloc Quebecois member Suzanne Tremblay, the two sides respectively deserve the flower and the pot.

[Francophones Outside Quebec, March 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, francophone and Acadian communities are unwavering in their belief in a united, progressive and dynamic Canada. I was very happy to hear that the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada had asked Quebecers to vote "no" in the referendum on separation.

The members of the Bloc Quebecois are definitely misleading francophone and Acadian communities when they tell them that an independent Quebec would help the francophone community in Canada to better grow and develop.

Furthermore the statement by the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata suggesting that the federal government had bought the francophones and the Acadians is a further insult to our communities.

I would invite the hon. member to publicly apologize for her insensitive remarks to Acadians and all francophones outside Quebec. Canada's francophones and Acadians have every right to speak on the future of our country.

[The Environment, February 27th, 1995]

I guess I have a fan club in the Reform Party. They may not take global warming seriously but we do on this side of the House. We know that it threatens the environment and that inefficient use of energy is a contributing factor.

Could the Minister of Natural Resources inform the House about the federal buildings initiative and what it is doing to reduce expenditures and at the same time get our house in order environmentally?

[The Environment, February 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, global warming is a problem that threatens the survival of the earth-

[Unemployment Insurance Act, February 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I will not take too much time. It has been four years since this subject came to Parliament. Much has been said in committee and in the House. Rather than review all that, I want to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues from the Liberal Party who supported me.

I would like to take this opportunity to draw attention to the support provided by the Bloc Quebecois

I would also like to thank my colleagues from the Reform Party who have certainly enlightened us on their point of view in this debate. I appreciate that. They have their point of view. I appreciate their point of view, but again we have ours.

I would like to thank every one of my colleagues but I would be remiss if I did not thank the officers of the Chamber who have helped me immensely. They have guided me whenever I needed guidance with regard to the bill. Also my own staff have been very efficient in helping me with this bill. The clerks and personnel of Private Members' Business have been super in giving me information and advice. I thank them this evening and I look forward to their support on this bill.

[Young Offenders Act, February 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on another point of order. I hate to say this but I take exception to your statement about my question being a powder-puff type of question. I had a comment to make on the bill. I think the point you made should be retracted.

[Young Offenders Act, February 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. My understanding was that during questions and comments we would rotate between the established parties present. I am wondering whether or not that is the practice.

[His Excellency The Governor General, February 8th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate His Excellency the Right Hon. Roméo LeBlanc, who has just been sworn in as Governor General of Canada. Mr. LeBlanc is clearly an excellent person for the job.

He has worked tirelessly and unstintingly for a united and prosperous Canada. In his speech this morning, Mr. LeBlanc expressed his love for Canada. As he said, it is up to us to build our future together as Canadians.

The choice of Mr. LeBlanc is an honour for all Acadians. As you know, he is the first Acadian to be appointed to the position of Governor General. We are proud of him.

I would like to wish His Excellency the Right Hon. Roméo LeBlanc and Mrs. LeBlanc success and happiness throughout this mandate.