Raymonde Folco

[Citizenship And Heritage Week, February 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this week is Citizenship and Heritage Week, and the people of Laval West, Quebec and all of Canada are celebrating their common attachment to this country's ongoing history and to their Canadian citizenship.

After the native people, came the French, then the English and then people from the world over. People and cultures from all over have therefore helped build Canada. Our country is not only among the best countries to live in, it is an example of democracy, tolerance and brotherly co-existence for the whole world.

We Canadians of every origin are proud of our country and we will show it with all our hearts throughout this week, which concludes on February 15 with National Flag Day and Heritage Day.

[International Conference On Population And Development, February 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, between February 4 and 6, parliamentarians from the world over will be in the Netherlands to discuss the initiatives their governments have taken since 1994 to support the action program of the International Conference on Population and Development.

Could the Minister for International Cooperation explain to this House the measures our government and CIDA have taken to follow up on ICPD commitments?

[Quebec Election Campaign, November 16th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, is a vote for the PQ on November 30 a vote for a referendum?

The Bloc Quebecois leader was saying very clearly that this was the case.

The member for Rimouski—Mitis had a bit more to say on the subject a few days later, pointing out that the referendum should be held by 2001.

However, the Premier of Quebec took the wind out of the sails of the true sovereignists by saying that the timing of the referendum would depend on the presence of the winning conditions. He thus discouraged all those who had hoped for a referendum in the next mandate, as had initially been the choice of the militant PQ members in a general council vote.

And the truth? On November 30, it is clear: a vote for the PQ is a vote for a referendum.

[Quebec Election Campaign, November 5th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, clearly Mr. Bouchard is caught in his referendum.

Before students, he shouts loud and long that Quebec must separate from the rest of Canada. Before another audience, he back pedals away from his referendum on Quebec independence.

The PQ is maintaining a level of confusion, which is costing Quebec dearly. This confusion is breeding uncertainty unhealthy for economic growth and is causing decisions vital to Quebec's development to be put off.

On November 30, Quebeckers will finally be able to decide once and for all by voting Liberal, by voting for economic growth and by voting for an end to the referendum on Quebec separation.

[Jacques Parizeau, November 3rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, former Quebec Premier Jacques Parizeau is now toeing the line and supporting Lucien Bouchard's strategy, after condemning it not too long ago.

This is a remarkable about-face since, as we know, Mr. Parizeau has always been anxious to achieve Quebec's separation from the rest of Canada. But, being a real trooper, Mr. Parizeau now supports the view that winning conditions must prevail before a referendum can be held.

A referendum on Quebec's separation from the rest of Canada remains the number-one priority for the PQ, and they will go to any lengths to achieve their goal.

[North-South Centre Of The Council Of Europe, October 22nd, 1998]

I apologize, Mr. Speaker.

Tomorrow, in the Parliament of Portugal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will receive the north-south prize awarded by the Council of Europe. This prize is awarded each year to two persons, from the northern and southern hemispheres, who distinguished themselves internationally by championing democracy, human rights and solidarity around the world.

The minister has earned this prestigious honour for his relentless effort to ban the production, storage and sale of antipersonnel mines. All Canadians can be proud of his work.

I invite my colleagues in this House to join me in congratulating the recipient of the 1998 north-south prize, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[North-South Centre Of The Council Of Europe, October 22nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, in the Parliament of Portugal, the honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will receive the north-south prize awarded by the Council of Europe—

[Canadian Mission In Chiapas, October 20th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on October 4, at the invitation of the electoral council of the State of Chiapas, I led a Canadian mission to Mexico to observe the election there. Voters went to the polls to choose representatives for the 40 seats of the local assembly and mayors for 111 municipalities.

The joint Senate and House of Commons delegation was accompanied by a delegation from the Assembly of First Nations. To our delight, the election was a calm event with no bloodshed.

We are happy to note that government officials and citizens in the State of Chiapas are headed in the right direction, that is to say towards a stable and resounding democracy.

This mission shows once again the spirit of co-operation and assistance underlying our relations with our neighbours in Mexico. We wish the best of luck to our Mexican colleagues and thank them for their warm welcome.

[International Aid, September 28th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the minister responsible for international co-operation announced on Friday that Canada would provide $600,000 in assistance to the victims of the hurricane that devastated the West Indies. The money will be distributed through CIDA.

This confirms once again Canadians' generosity when it comes to helping those in need, or those who are victims of catastrophes around the world.

The Canadian spirit of openness and co-operation is well-known throughout the world, and I feel lucky to live in a country where international assistance and co-operation are truly part of our traditions and values.

[Calgary Declaration, June 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday Nova Scotia became the last province, with the exception of Quebec, to adopt the Calgary declaration.

Can the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs tells us what the level of support of the Calgary declaration was across Canada, and what the message is that this sends to all Quebeckers?