Claude Guimond

[Business of Supply, May 28th, 2009]

Mr. Chair, thank you for giving me the opportunity to direct a question to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and thank you, minister, for listening to me. One issue in my riding is of particular concern to me.

On May 4, I asked you a question in this House about an ongoing situation at the wharf in Rimouski. Fishers and some users of the wharf have been faced with a serious problem for a number of years.

Is the minister aware that when storms come in from the east and northeast, crab fishers in particular are unable to dock with their cargo? They are forced to wait out the storm in open waters, so that they do not damage their boats.

Is the minister also aware that when storms come up at night and crab boats are docked, fishers have to spend the night on their boats to keep them from hitting the wharves and breaking apart?

In your answer to my question, you naturally boasted about your economic action plan, which includes an additional $200 million for improvements to small craft harbours across the country. You also said, “I am not quite sure if Rimouski is on that list, but I will only be too happy to check.”

Have you checked?

[Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, May 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, with the United States still opposing the ratification of a free trade agreement with Colombia and all social and labour groups denouncing such an agreement, the Conservative government remains determined to ratify a treaty with a country where the number of assassinations of labour representatives is constantly on the rise.

Since 1986, Colombia's rate of union membership has gone from 13.5% to 4%. In 2008 alone, there were 46 murders and 157 death threats targeting union members.

Coming from the agricultural labour movement myself, I find this government's lax attitude towards the protection of Colombian workers' rights unacceptable.

The government must drop its planned trade agreement, which makes us a party to human rights violations. We need to send a clear message that we will not sign trade agreements at any cost.

[Canada-European Union Economic Partnership, May 8th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this week, negotiations for a Canada-EU economic partnership began. This agreement, which goes beyond the typical characteristics of a free trade agreement, would have a greater impact on Quebec's areas of jurisdiction, including the mobility of labour and the question of procurement.

While Quebec is taking part in the negotiations, it is because Brussels, the EU capital, insisted, and not Ottawa. This regrettable fact, which can only suggest that this government does not understand Quebec's role, leads us to believe that Brussels understands what it means to respect jurisdictions better than some members of the federal government.

In the context of these negotiations, Quebec must be at the negotiating table, because, for one thing, the matters at issue come under Quebec's jurisdiction. The Bloc Québécois will ensure that Quebec plays more than a minor role and that it gets a real seat, not an ejection seat, as it had with UNESCO.

[Science and Technology, May 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' approach is jeopardizing the survival of scientific treasures located in the regions such as the Mont Mégantic Observatory and the Coriolis II, the only university vessel conducting oceanographic research in Canada.

How can the Minister of State (Science and Technology) justify such an illogical decision as cutting funding for the Coriolis II just when the Arctic and oceanographic research are becoming major issues?

[Scientific and Technology, May 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, not only has the Mont-Mégantic Observatory seen its funding cut, now the Coriolis II, the only university-owned oceanographic vessel in Canada, has had its funding cancelled. These cuts to scientific research are especially appalling given that Canada is already lagging behind the rest of the G7 in terms of the proportion of gross domestic product spent on research and development.

Does the government realize that its ideological attitude towards scientific research is destroying Quebec's industries of the future?

[Fisheries and Oceans, May 4th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, will the government adopt phase 2 of the Bloc's assistance plan, which recommends immediate action by investing $300 million in small craft harbours and renovation of its wharves?

That is another means of supporting the economy of regions in dire need of assistance.

[Fisheries and Oceans, May 4th, 2009]

For too long, the wharves in eastern Quebec have been in such a state of disrepair that, during violent storms, fishers cannot dock and, for their own safety, are forced to wait out the storm in open waters. This situation has also affected the safety of the ferry service between Rimouski and Forestville.

After a 12-year wait, will the government acknowledge that it is high time to take action and invest in the reconstruction of the Rimouski wharf?

[Education, April 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, March 23 marked the opening of the Maison Familiale Rurale du Bas-Saint-Laurent, the fifth of its kind in North America, and the first in our area. It is located in Saint-Clément in the les Basques RCM.

The opening of this rural family centre represents a major turning point in the region and will have a positive impact on the education of young people aged 15 to 18. There are three areas of specialization available; dairy, beef and maple syrup production, as well as A general course for any student with an interest in this novel way of learning.

This new alternative education approach will allow about twenty students to alternate work and school and will most certainly have a positive effect on the drop-out rate.

This developmental project in the les Basques RCM was a joint effort of three school boards: Fleuve-et-des-Lacs, les Phares and Kamouraska-Rivière-du-Loup. My congratulations to the hardworking team that has worked for many years toward the culmination of this project.

[Memorial Cup Tournament, April 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the Memorial Cup tournament will take place in Rimouski from May 15 to 24. All eyes will be on our region as Canadians follow one of the most prestigious hockey championships in North America.

Competing in this event will be the champions of Canada's three junior leagues, which are currently in the midst of playoffs. My team, the Rimouski Océanic, is up against the Moncton Wildcats. I would like to invite my colleague from Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe to wear an Océanic jersey if Rimouski wins this round, and I will do the same if Moncton wins.

I wish all the teams good luck, and I invite everyone to come to Rimouski in May to cheer these young hockey players on as they battle for the ultimate trophy, the Memorial Cup.

[Gospel Celebration Choir, March 25th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the Gospel Celebration Choir from Quebec City, under the direction of Marie-Josée Pelletier, a native of Dégelis in the Temiscouata RCM, came first in the Pathmark gospel choir competition in New York City on February 28. They were the only group from Quebec to compete against a number of American choirs. According to Ms. Pelletier, they went to New York just for the experience, but they came away with first prize.

This is one more example of the talent and determination of Quebeckers on the international stage. The Bloc Québécois will always encourage Quebec artists to perform abroad, and will take every opportunity to draw attention to their successes. My congratulations to Sylvie Pelletier and the Gospel Celebration Choir on this achievement.