House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 31% of the vote.
Health October 8th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, confusion, confusion, and more confusion. The health minister's responses have confused the Canadian public.
Dr. Wilson, Canada Research Chair in Public Health Policy, said that there is so much confusion about the H1N1 vaccine that, when it does become available, he is not sure that Canadians will want to be vaccinated.
Why does the Minister of Health not launch an effective public information campaign to clear up all this confusion?
Health October 7th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, my fellow Canadians and I know that our neighbours to the south have begun vaccinating all at-risk individuals with FluMist, a nasal aerosol produced by AstraZeneca.
Can the minister explain why this company, which also operates in Canada, is still waiting for the government to give the green light for production of this vaccine? If not, can she tell me why my granddaughter who lives in the United States can be protected, but not my granddaughter who lives in Canada?
Health October 7th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, Health Canada's deputy minister just released his report on the body bags delivered to Wasagamack. We accept the claim that this did not result from deliberate action on the part of the government, but the damage has not been repaired.
In our parliamentary system, the last word goes to the Minister of Health. Out of compassion, I would simply ask her to apologize publicly to the community of Wasagamack today.
Health October 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, every time the Minister of Health answers a question about the H1N1 virus, people get more and more confused and uncertain. A recent Canadian study found that people who had received a seasonal flu shot were two times more likely to contract the H1N1 virus.
What is the minister doing to reassure people? Should Canadians get both vaccines, and if so, which one should they get first?
Medical Isotopes June 18th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Petten nuclear plant, in the Netherlands, is scheduled to close in one month to the day, on July 18. With Chalk River closed, this will mean a drop of 70% in the global production of isotopes.
Will the minister consider as an alternative including in her plan the positron emission tomographies, or PET scans, currently available in the United States and assuming their full cost?
Interparliamentary Delegations June 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canadian branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) respecting its participation in the seminar of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the meeting of the Parliamentary Affairs Commission of the APF, held in Fribourg, Switzerland, from March 23 to 25, 2009.
Collège Beaubois Students June 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to highlight the international solidarity initiative of the students of Collège Beaubois, a primary and secondary school in my riding of Pierrefonds—Dollard.
In March 2009, as in alternate years since 2005, twenty students from Collège Beaubois participated in a cooperation project in Senegal. This initiative makes young people more aware of the reality in a developing country and allows them to help Senegalese youth learn. With the money collected, Collège Beaubois students built a kindergarten class and washrooms for the children, as well as a classroom for secondary students on Dionewar Island that has been named the Beaubois Room.
The young people at Collège Beaubois deserve to be commended by this House for their sense of solidarity and for what they are doing in Senegal. This has made each one of them ambassadors of our country's values and ideals while helping them to become responsible citizens committed to improving the lives of those around them.
Medical Isotopes June 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, health care professionals in Quebec have worked miracles so far, but they cannot do so forever. They have extended their hours of service and are making sure that not a single gram of isotopes is being wasted. Dozens of tests have already been postponed. The situation can only get worse if this government does not immediately find a way to guarantee isotope supplies, instead of denying everything.
How will this government, which is insensitive to human suffering and anxiety, ensure that isotopes will be available at all times?
Medical Isotopes June 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, people across Quebec who are awaiting nuclear diagnostic testing for cancer and other serious illnesses are already terribly worried. As a doctor, I have seen the fear in their eyes; I understand their apprehensions and share their concerns.
Does this government have enough compassion and empathy to realize that we are talking about the fate of hundreds of Quebeckers and Canadians who deserve to be cared for quickly?
Petitions June 8th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I want to present a petition signed by many students at Collège Gérald-Godin in my riding. These young people, who are very aware of the problems associated with the exploitation of human beings, are rightly concerned about sexual trafficking around the world, in Canada, and even in Montreal.
They are calling on the Parliament of Canada to use every means possible to prevent prostitution from being legalized during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver, because it seems to be a growing problem, and to legalize it would violate the legitimate rights of the people being exploited.