House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2011, with 27% of the vote.
Pensions March 26th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives obviously take retirees for fools.
Almost a year ago, they promised to do something about pensions in the next 90 days. Now they want to conduct a cross-Canada tour before doing anything.
Retirees have lost confidence in the Conservatives' good faith.
Why does the government continue procrastinating, when retirees are calling for immediate reforms?
Business of Supply March 23rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the hon. member for St. Paul's. I know she has been consulting quite a bit on this subject we are debating today. Most recently, this month, she met with the W8 group, a group that is travelling across the world to bring awareness to decision makers. It is a group that is recognized by Oxfam, so I think we can't question their credibility.
Would the hon. member tell us what their demands were exactly? I think she met with people from India and Malawi. Could she tell us more about what their demands were?
International Cooperation March 22nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the government refuses to give a clear answer. Why is that?
Will Canada be the only G8 country that refuses to provide a full range of maternal care? Will it be the only G8 country to demand that NGOs share the Prime Minister's ideology in order to receive funding?
The question is clear: do the Conservatives believe in the secular nature of Canada's development policy and foreign policy?
International Cooperation March 22nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, in the past week, amidst a number of Conservative flip-flops, we have yet to get a clear answer about the government's approach to maternal health.
While the government members claim that their G8 agenda will promote the health of women and save lives, they refuse to say if they have programmed the full range of family planning options.
Would the government commit to this full range, or will it reverse the long-standing policy of Liberal and Conservative governments to offer every opportunity to save the lives of women and children around the world?
Francophonie Week March 16th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, tomorrow night, March 17, the Club Richelieu LaSalle will celebrate our French language and culture with its presentation of the 2010 night of the Francophonie. This is, after all, the de la Francophonie Week.
Once again, the organizers will crown la Francophonie's Richelieu LaSalle personality of the year. The fourth person to receive this award will be singer Marie-Élaine Thibert, one of the discoveries from Star Académie's television first season.
This talented artist has had successful albums since her arrival on the scene in 2003. She rubs shoulders with the who's-who in Quebec music. Marie-Élaine Thibert is involved with the Children's Wish Foundation as a sponsor and spokesperson. I, along with my constituents in LaSalle—Émard, would like to offer her our most sincere congratulations for this well-deserved honour.
Petitions March 15th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present a petition that circulated in my riding and was signed by many residents of LaSalle—Émard.
The petitioners point out to the government that more than one billion people in the world rely on animals for their livelihoods, and that many others rely on animals for companionship.
These petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to support a universal declaration on animal welfare.
Aboriginal Affairs March 15th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, research projects are great, but it is shelters and organizations, like the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, that protect women from being murdered and kidnapped.
The Native Women's Shelter of Montreal has been around for nearly 25 years and helps hundreds of aboriginal women.
When will the minister finally defend these vulnerable women?
If the minister will not do so, who will?
Aboriginal Affairs March 15th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have falsely claimed in their budget that they would ensure all Canadian women, including aboriginal women, would be safe and secure, but that same budget slashed funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, and 134 community projects across Canada are in jeopardy. The Native Women's Shelter of Montreal might have to close at the end of this month.
How can the Minister of State for the Status of Women stay silent as her government ignores the pleas of aboriginal women?
Citizenship and Immigration March 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, today is International Women's Day. Yet today, children born abroad to Canadian women are denied the citizenship given automatically to children of Canadian men.
The minister's office noted last year that she would, “like to be of assistance on this issue”, and still there has been no action to correct this sexist policy.
Will the minister explain to Canadians why, on citizenship, the government continues to treat women as less equal than men?
Citizenship and Immigration March 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Citizenship Act was unconstitutional because it discriminates against women.
Specifically, a child born outside Canada to a Canadian father is entitled to Canadian citizenship, but a child born outside Canada to a Canadian mother does not have that same right.
Can the Minister of State for the Status of Women explain what her government intends to do to correct this shameful situation?