Marie‑Paule Kirouac  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to mark the passing of a great woman from Sherbrooke on January 6. Marie‑Paule Kirouac played a key role in the creation of Maison Aube-Lumière, a palliative care home for people in the advanced stages of cancer. She was also the organization's first executive director.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the end of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, but violence against women is still an issue the other 349 days a year, even though it should never happen. These days of activism are an opportunity to fight for an end to this violence.

Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act  Madam Speaker, I respect my colleague's concern. As we have said from the beginning, we cannot achieve net-zero emissions without the energy sector's ingenuity and know-how. A number of Canadian oil and gas companies have already committed to net-zero emissions, and they are innovating to meet that challenge.

Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. For years now, ever since 2015, our government has been taking concrete action to protect the environment. Some of those measures include eliminating single-use plastics, buying hybrid buses, which I talked about in my speech, installing more charging stations, increasing protected areas from 13% to 25%, making significant investments in green infrastructure and introducing measures to encourage businesses to invest in clean energy.

Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. It is true that there is no 2025 target, but the Paris Agreement is structured around 2030, as are provincial plans, including British Columbia's and Quebec's, and the whole world's plans. Bill C-12 provides for greater accountability and transparency by introducing an obligation to set a target and develop an emissions reduction plan, both of which must be tabled in Parliament within six months of the act coming into force.

Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Labrador for his speech. With the Canadian net-zero emissions accountability act, the government is introducing a bill that will help fight the extreme risks associated with climate change. The science is clear. Human activity is causing unprecedented changes in the Earth's climate.

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be able to respond to my colleague from Mégantic—L'Érable. For our government, our two official languages are the greatest expression of our values as a country, our values of collaboration, openness and respect. It is precisely because of this central role of French and English in our common identity that our government has always taken the necessary measures to support our communities.

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, our government and public servants are taking proactive measures to ensure respect of our two official languages. We react quickly and firmly to compliance issues and remind federal institutions of their official languages obligations. Our government took note of the recommendations made by the Commissioner of Official Languages in his report and we are fully committed to responding to them in a constructive and co-operative manner.

Small Business  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Châteauguay—Lacolle for her question and her involvement with the businesses in her region, which I was able to see first-hand when I met with her and the chambers of commerce in her region. On November 5, we announced additional assistance for our businesses, which will quadruple the funding for the network of community futures development corporations and business development centres like those in my colleague's riding by giving them targeted and technical support.

Official Languages  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. Our government recognizes that the use of French is declining in Quebec. As a francophone, I consider the French language to be more than a simple matter of debate. It is the language I use to speak, to write and to be who I am.

Official Languages  Madam Speaker, I can tell my colleague that that is not true. We are here, we are on it, and we will always protect and promote our languages. My fellow MPs from Quebec and I are francophones and Quebeckers above all. We have taken concrete action and will continue to do so.

Official Languages  Madam Speaker, we have taken concrete action, we have consulted, reports have been produced, and we are working closely with the provinces, particularly Quebec. We are making sure that the legislation we introduce is sustainable. It is funny, but it seems as though the members opposite are only now realizing the importance of loving French.

André Carpentier  Madam Speaker, November is diabetes month, and as the month draws to a close, I would like to say a few words, with less emotion than yesterday but just as much pride, in recognition of the exceptional work of Sherbrooke's own Dr. André Carpentier, who has become an international leader in diabetes research.

World Diabetes Day  Mr. Speaker, November 14 is World Diabetes Day, a day aimed at raising public awareness about this disease. To mark the occasion, I spoke to Stéphane Leblond, chairman of the board of the Eastern Townships diabetes association. We talked about the dramatic growth of the disease and the challenges for the people living with it.

Alphonse Pelletier  Mr. Speaker, as we are presently in the middle of Veterans' Week, which runs from November 5 to 11, I am honoured to take a moment today to mark Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day is particularly important in my riding. Sherbrooke has two armouries that are home to four regiments, and we are very proud of the work they do.