House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was work.

Last in Parliament October 2019, as Liberal MP for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia (Québec)

Lost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Public Services and Procurement May 31st, 2019

Mr. Speaker, our policy on industrial and regional benefits is our main tool for capitalizing on defence procurement to benefit Canadians. When we examine eligible transactions under this policy, we ensure that the technological level is equal to or greater than that of the project and that there are applications in Canadian industries.

As the firm stated, it did not get credit for its entire investment of $425 million in the facilities at Cavendish Farms. It said that it received approximately $40 million as a credit for meeting its obligations with respect to industrial and regional benefits under the contract for its Atlantic ships. Questions concerning this investment could—

Privacy May 31st, 2019

Mr. Speaker, we strive to be open and transparent so that Canadians know we are making responsible investments.

Information on individual transactions that are eligible, as with IRBs, is commercially sensitive. We must receive consent from the contractor. In order to provide the reporter with the most fulsome answer to the question, we spoke with the company. The departmental officials followed all appropriate steps respecting the privacy of all individuals.

Threatening the source or the reporter is not the way we do media relations.

Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia May 28th, 2019

Mr. Speaker, I entered politics in 2015 to help rebuild my region's trust in Ottawa after the decade of darkness under a Conservative government.

We have completely changed course since our election and now my region is booming. It has tremendous economic momentum thanks to our government's investments in such things as upgrading the Carleton-sur-Mer wharf, building lookouts in Matapédia and Saint-André, modernizing SEREX in Amqui, building a new arena in Mont-Joli, allocating $27 million to the Institut Maurice-Lamontagne, decontaminating sites and extending the Mont-Joli airport runway, as well as repairing and rebuilding the port of Matane and creating more than 220 federal jobs back home.

Since 2015, my riding has seen investments totalling $160 million, thanks to the Prime Minister's leadership, an extraordinary team and a comprehensive program. People back home were right to put their trust in us. Let's imagine another four wonderful years.

Primary School in Price May 17th, 2019

Mr. Speaker, today I want to acknowledge the wonderful initiative of a primary school, École des Cheminots de Saint-Rémi, in Price.

Over a year ago, Geneviève Giguère, a teacher at the school, was looking for a way to motivate the kids and spark their interest in school. A former student of the conservatory of music, Ms. Giguère approached her pupils and the administration with an idea to develop a guitar enrichment program. Thrilled at the idea, the school immediately got on board.

Well, the program was a rousing success, and it has certainly produced results. On Monday, here in Parliament, the group informed us that it won gold at MusicFest Canada in Ottawa. That is not all. It also won gold at MusicFest Québec, which was held this past week.

I had the chance to welcome and meet with the students. Their passion, commitment and sense of belonging was written all over their faces. They are proud to be part of that group.

I want to congratulate Geneviève Giguère and the school principal. They are setting an example with their willingness to find innovative new ways to enhance education.

Congratulations to the students on their achievement. Keep having fun.

Automotive Industry May 10th, 2019

Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague does not appear to have heard my answer. The strategic plan we have put in place for Canada's auto sector, and for all its workers, is working.

I repeat, we have invested $6 billion since 2015 in the auto industry and in Canada's auto workers.

Our plan is working, and I want to repeat this, because it is important. These investments include $110 million in Toyota facilities in Cambridge, $49 million in Linamar facilities in Guelph, which has helped create over 1,500 jobs, $41.8 million in Honda facilities, and the list goes on.

Our government is committed to supporting the industry—

Automotive Industry May 10th, 2019

Madam Speaker, we do have a plan, and it is working very well. Canada's auto sector remains strong and is well positioned to design and build the cars of today and tomorrow.

In total, we have invested more than $6 billion in the auto sector, creating and safeguarding tens of thousands of jobs since we took office.

Since 2015, 11,500 new jobs have been created. Our investments included $110 million in Toyota facilities in Cambridge, $89 million in Linamar facilities in Guelph, $41.8 million in Honda facilities in Alliston, and the list goes on.

Our government is firmly committed to supporting Canada's auto industry.

Port of Matane May 7th, 2019

Mr. Speaker, today I want to applaud members of Matane's business community for the amazing way they joined forces to save the port of Matane.

It was one minute to midnight; the community was running out of time to find a solution that would maintain the commercial wharf's operations until its reconstruction. Our people rolled up their sleeves. Instead of giving up, they got busy. They were creative and ingenious. Today, I am proud to say that the solution, which was developed by one of Matane's own businesses, Construction CEG, will keep the port of Matane up and running until reconstruction is complete.

I am proud of our government's $1.5-million contribution to this project. I have always said that we have everything we need to create growth right here at home. This solution is proof of that. The port of Matane has always been one of my priorities. I would like to thank the business people, the Coalition urgence port de Matane, elected officials and the Minister of Transport and his team. Together we have taken concrete action for our businesses and workers.

Public Safety May 6th, 2019

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question.

I am delighted to tell this House that the World Police and Fire Games are coming to Winnipeg in 2023. Our government will provide $2 million to support the games, which bring together world-leading emergency service experts.

I want to thank all my colleagues from Winnipeg for their passion and advocacy for the games. We all look forward to seeing Winnipeg host this event in 2023 and to welcoming firefighters and police officers from around the world.

Automotive Industry May 1st, 2019

—in the industry over the last three years or four years.

Automotive Industry May 1st, 2019

At the same time, our investments in innovation, through the innovation and skills plan, have helped bolster Canada's robust automotive cluster by supporting reinvestment in Canadian vehicle assembly plants by global automakers. These initiatives are helping ensure that Canada's workforce will have the advanced manufacturing skills employers will need in the future economy.

As I said earlier, our plan works, with six billion dollars' worth of investment—