House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2015, with 20% of the vote.
Business of Supply January 27th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, there are currently 1.3 million unemployed workers in Canada. The manufacturing sector represents 11% of our GDP, and we know that this is one of the sectors that has been hit hard in the past decade.
This NDP motion is a legitimate one, and I would like to hear what the member thinks about it. We want the middle classes to live better in this country. We want the lies to stop and we want the public to hear the truth.
Family Literacy Day January 27th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on this Family Literacy Day in my new capacity as the official opposition critic for La Francophonie.
As a mother, I know that it is not always easy to be a parent. Many parents in Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles are active and engaged people who must deal with a busy and stressful life.
In Canada, there are a number of initiatives that encourage Canadian families to include in their routine at least 15 minutes dedicated to the love of learning.
It is important to acknowledge the work of literacy organizations, libraries and schools. These organizations contribute to the social and economic integration of Canadians.
This government should place greater emphasis on families by rejecting income splitting and creating a national plan to end poverty. In 2015, an NDP government will make Canadian families its priority.
Intergovernmental Relations December 12th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, when the Conservatives were elected, they promised anyone who would listen a flexible federalism where the provinces would be respected. For Quebec, the blind cuts to employment insurance have resulted in an increase in welfare claims. The unilateral reform of health transfers represents a net loss of $36 billion. Once again, the provinces have to foot the bill.
Is that what the Conservatives meant by flexible federalism?
Petitions December 10th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the second petition has to do with veterans and is for the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Minister of National Defence.
We are asking them to take immediate measures to expand mental health services for members of the Canadian Forces and the RCMP.
Petitions December 10th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, today, I am presenting two petitions.
The first calls on the government to work with Canadian National to put an end to the legal proceedings, protect the public when it comes to rail transportation and assess the condition of the Quebec City bridge.
Petitions December 8th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the second petition, which I support, calls for Remembrance Day to be recognized as a national statutory holiday.
Petitions December 8th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present two petitions on behalf of my constituents.
The first pertains to the creation of a social responsibility ombudsman for Canadian extractive companies. It calls for the respect of human rights, the environment and the economy.
Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2 December 5th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, regarding the changes to the eligibility of refugee protection claimants, Ms. Jimenez, who came to Canada as a refugee, said that she did not know where she would be now if she had not had access to that money. She probably would have had to resort to food banks and begging on the street.
Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2 December 5th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member.
His question is extremely relevant, especially since I was responsible for the employment insurance file last year. To answer my colleague's question, I would first like to quote a witness, David Macdonald, a senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives:
The credit is received by all small businesses, irrespective of action. Whether they hire employees, fire employees, or remain at the same employment levels, they still get the credit.
It is particularly shameful that the Conservatives are taking money away from businesses and workers who pay into EI. It is becoming increasingly difficult for workers to access the program, especially when they do seasonal work and they have to apply for EI over and over again.
Furthermore, the Conservatives claim they are going to create jobs with that money, but that is also false. They use rhetoric that appears positive to Canadians, but this measure will not create jobs. It will create about 800 jobs, but for businesses that owe taxes to the government, the taxes will come first. This means taking money out of taxpayers' pockets to pay the taxes of the offending companies.
Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2 December 5th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I do know the difference between the two.
I might ask the member if she knows the difference between an omnibus bill and a budget bill.
The budget should never be an omnibus bill. It is important to make that distinction and do things properly, which means introducing a budget bill, not an omnibus bill.