Réjean Genest

[PRINOTH, February 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, PRINOTH, a Granby company, dominates the North American snow grooming equipment market.

With a $20 million contract for 62 snow groomers, the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi are a high-profile international project for this Canadian manufacturer.

From the very beginning, PRINOTH has been synonymous with the highest quality vehicles. With over half a century of experience, PRINOTH continues to develop and perfect the drive wheel system invented by Bombardier in 1935. PRINOTH groomers are considered the best in the world.

The Granby facility employs no less than 350 workers, and 60 more are in charge of North American sales and distribution.

We are very proud of this local company.

[Community Contributions, October 22nd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the outstanding contributions of two individuals who were awarded the Quebec National Assembly medal last week.

Joanne Ouellette is the executive director of Solidarité ethnique régionale de la Yamaska, an immigration advocacy group. Ms. Ouellette is a visionary, a smart and caring woman.

Serge Tremblay is a businessman who founded the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge and the Leucan 12-Hour Ski Challenge. He is known for his contributions to many causes.

I would also like to recognize Chantal Bossé, CEO of CHABOS, who is the second Canadian woman to win the title of Microsoft PowerPoint MVP for 2013-14, and the only francophone woman among this group of experts.

I wish to personally congratulate Joanne Ouellette, Serge Tremblay and Chantal Bossé on the contributions they make to their communities.

[Infrastructure, June 12th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, floods have recently hit Granby, in my riding. The damage is extensive and the city may not have sufficient funding to repair its infrastructure. The recent budget cuts to municipal infrastructure made by the Conservatives further complicate things.

I have a simple question. Will the Conservative government commit to providing assistance to the city of Granby, yes or no?

[Granby Region, May 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Granby region is a very popular summer destination, and it is easy to see why. Our major tourist attraction is without a doubt the well-known Granby Zoo and its aquatic park Amazoo. Every year, 600,000 visitors come to admire the zoo's 1,000 animals.

Yamaska National Park and its beach are also very popular with visitors who enjoy canoeing, camping and much more. The Granby area is also home to a fantastic bike path network. Granby also hosts a number of events, such as Granby International, one of the largest classic car shows in Canada, the Granby Challenger tennis championship, festivals in downtown Granby, and I could go on.

Campgrounds, hotels and bed and breakfasts offer a wide range of lodging options. This summer, you will need more than a week in Granby.

[Canada Post, March 27th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government is quietly privatizing Canada Post. Canadians want to keep their post offices because this is a local service that is important to them and their businesses. Closing post offices for ideological reasons is hurting our regions' economy.

Can the minister tell us how many more Canada Post offices the Conservatives are going to close?

[Silk Industry, March 22nd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about a highly innovative company located in the industrial hotbed of Granby. It is developing a textile fibre from milkweed, an indigenous plant.

This company is called Encore 3, and its name refers to the company values of “environment”, “co-operation”, “research” and “employment”. Its research has uncovered the extraordinary potential of milkweed. This ultra-light vegetable silk has proven to be a warmer insulator than goose feathers and polar fleece. Another one of its interesting characteristics is that it can absorb up to 40 times its weight in oil, which would be helpful in the case of oil spills in the ocean, for example.

Encore 3 just founded a growers' co-op to farm 1,000 hectares and develop a milkweed supply. The first harvest is expected in 2014.

Long live Quebec's silk industry.

[Organization for Homeless Youth, November 23rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, last Saturday in my riding, the Auberge du coeur Sous mon toit celebrated its 40th anniversary with over 100 guests and about 15 beneficiaries. They were celebrating 40 years of volunteer work to help young men between the ages of 17 and 35.

The organization welcomes, feeds and provides full-time housing for about 20 young men who are homeless or in difficulty, in order to help them reintegrate into society. To date, over 2,000 young men have been able to regain control of their lives with the help of this organization. Today, they are making a positive contribution to our society. The organization's director was one of the first beneficiaries 40 years ago.

I was touched and moved by the modesty and dedication of the workers and volunteers. At the party, a single common goal was clear: to continue to help young men in difficulty.

Congratulations to Auberge du coeur Sous mon toit and all the best in the future.

[Passport Applications, October 15th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, why do only 25 out of 81 Service Canada centres in Quebec verify and pass along passport applications?

In Shefford, since I was elected, my staff has verified and forwarded no fewer than 2,767 passport applications. Considering that roughly 40 hours a week are devoted to this work and considering the cost of sending the applications, our MPs' budget no longer allows us to provide this service to our constituents.

Do not forget that my riding is close to the U.S. border. This service is essential to the people in my riding. I asked Service Canada about this a year ago and I got the same answer that I got last Thursday: the matter is still under review. What is the government waiting for to make a decision?

[Homosexuality, October 5th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, after trying to reopen the abortion debate, a Conservative member is doing it again. He will be in my riding this weekend to take part in an event held by Quebec's Campaign Life Coalition with the Ta vie ton choix group, which promotes therapy for those struggling with unwanted attractions to persons of the same sex.

In addition to opposing women's right to choose, does the member also believe that homosexuality is a disease that should be treated?

[Employment Insurance, June 20th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the only plan they have is to lower all workers' wages. The Conservatives' botched reform of the employment insurance program is unacceptable. The Shefford tourism industry is worried about the consequences of the Conservatives' attacks on seasonal workers. These irresponsible measures will make it difficult to find qualified staff for the tourist season.

Why are the Conservatives attacking the businesses that drive the economic vitality of my region?