Marcel Proulx

[Competition Act, December 3rd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I am hearing some unparliamentary language, but I will continue. During his speech on October 24, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry commented—

[Competition Act, December 3rd, 2001]

First of all, I would like to thank the member for Pickering—Ajax—Uxbridge for working so hard on behalf of Canadians in order to ensure that the purpose of the Competition Act is fully achieved.

[Competition Act, December 3rd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this opportunity to speak to Bill C-248, an act to amend the Competition Act.

Before going any further, I would like to point out to the hon. member who just spoke that on November 20, The New York Times reported Air Canada president Robert Milton as saying that he did not need any money. The member should perhaps read The New York Times , instead of limiting himself to Le Devoir .

[Ken Hechtman, November 29th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, Ken Hechtman, a Montreal reporter, is believed to have been taken hostage four days ago in Afghanistan. This hostage taking comes on the heels of the deaths of European journalists in recent weeks.

Being a foreign correspondent can be dangerous, especially in a war situation such as the one in Afghanistan. The men and women who travel to these countries do so with great courage and temerity.

They do so in the name of the right to information, freedom of expression and democracy, values we all cherish. These defenders of freedom must not be used as currency or pawns.

For these reasons, I support the Government of Canada in taking all of the necessary steps to rescue Ken Hechtman.

[Bloc Quebecois, November 9th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the news is bad for sovereignists. Quebecers are sick of hearing about the sovereignty of Quebec. The recent polls confirm it.

The Léger Marketing- Le Devoir-The Globe and Mail poll shows that support for sovereignty has dropped to 40.9%. The CRIC poll places it at 39%. Furthermore, 54% of Quebecers feel that sovereignty has had its day. And three out of five persons polled are no longer interested in a referendum between now and 2005, which is what the BQ and the PQ would like.

The Bloc Quebecois was formed to promote the sovereignist option federally. It would appear that their plan has failed.

For the well-being of Quebec, I urge Bloc Quebecois members to stop and think. They must realize that the time has come to put an end to this temporary party.

[Quebec Municipal Elections, November 5th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Outaouais region experienced a great exercise in democracy.

The new city, a result of a forced merger by the government of Quebec, elected its first mayor and councillors. This amalgamation of five existing cities, Aylmer, Hull, Gatineau, Masson-Angers and Buckingham, will form the new city which will be called Gatineau. This name was imposed by decree by the government of Quebec.

There were two well-known municipal politicians running for mayor: Yves Ducharme, mayor of the current city of Hull, and Robert Labine, mayor of the current city of Gatineau. The people spoke, and Yves Ducharme was elected mayor of the new city.

I would like to congratulate both mayoral candidates in addition to all of the candidates for council for their valuable campaigns. I would especially like to commend their volunteers for their commitment and dedication.

I wish to offer my mayor, His Worship Yves Ducharme, my sincere best wishes and my complete co-operation. The challenges will be difficult, but Mr. Ducharme and his team are up to the task.

[Health, November 2nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health.

In the last century, there were three worldwide outbreaks of influenza. The most devastating pandemic was the Spanish flu in 1918, which claimed at least 20 million lives worldwide.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health tell us what the Government of Canada is doing to protect its citizens in the event of a new influenza pandemic?

[Solange Chaput-Rolland, November 2nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, with the death of Solange Chaput-Rolland at the age of 82, Canada has lost a great woman.

Mrs. Chaput-Rolland lived her life with a passion. She was very interested in public affairs and was a journalist, an MNA, a senator and an author.

She came to our attention through her involvement in the periodical Point de vue , as a member of the Pépin-Robarts Commission on Canadian Unity, and as a writer of the television series Monsieur le ministre .

Solange Chaput-Rolland was deeply attached to Quebec and to Canada.

Because of her commitment and her outstanding achievements, she was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada and of the Ordre national du Québec.

Her contribution to the development of Canada was remarkable. She deserves our complete respect.

I wish to offer my condolences to the family of Solange Chaput-Rolland and to all the Quebecers and Canadians who mourn her passing.

[Persons with Disabilities, October 31st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, on September 15 the Fondation Entre Deux Roues and the Association des bénévoles en fauteuil roulant de l'Outaouais held their third Roulethon with Mr. Martin Godcher serving as honorary chair.

The purpose of this annual event is to raise funds for the Association des bénévoles en fauteuil roulant de l'Outaouais and the Fondation Entre Deux Roues and to raise awareness regarding persons in wheelchairs who are often forgotten and marginalized.

I would like to highlight the efforts made by these organizations and the relentless work they do to improve the quality of life of those they serve.

I would also like to congratulate Mr. René Séguin, the chief organizer of the third annual Roulethon, and his entire team on the great success of their September 15 event which raised $12,162. I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

[September 11, October 29th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the events of September 11 have had an impact on the lives of Canadians. Our values, democracy and freedom were attacked. Because we share these values, we were affected by these attacks.

We feel more vulnerable. However, we must not play into the hands of the terrorists. Our actions must not be guided by fear.

We must not let the propaganda of aggressors affect us to that extent. We must be vigilant but continue to live our lives according to our values.

In the end, we will win.