Mr. Speaker, it is hard not to comment on the quality of the contribution that members opposite make to debates here in the House. Unfortunately, I do not have time.
I would like to read the question that I asked on November 8, 2013:
...mourning will take time, but the very courageous people of Lac-Mégantic are ready to rebuild.
Business people will be part of the solution, but many of them are struggling right now because the town's commercial core was decimated by the tragedy.
Will the Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec listen to the chamber of commerce and business people in the Megantic region and set up a special funding program to help businesses get back on their feet, in addition to the decontamination and reconstruction budget that has already been announced?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, for Official Languages and for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec gave the following answer:
Mr. Speaker, the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec's mandate focuses on economic development.
I swear that is what he said. He went on to say:
We are always concerned about regions that are struggling, and we will help them.
I guess I will have to try one last time. It is unbelievable. Members of the House were told that the mandate of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec is economic development. That November 8, 2013, answer wins the prize for most insipid answer ever in the House. That is why we are looking for something approaching a better answer tonight.
I would like to point out that my colleague did not mention the word “Lac-Mégantic” in his answer. He did not even manage to say the word “Lac-Mégantic” in the answer he gave on November 8, 2013.
The NDP is pleased with the $60 million that will be allocated to rebuild Lac-Mégantic's downtown and with the $95 million federal contribution for decontamination.
The Minister of International Development's comment that “This is not the time for bureaucratic squabbles” gave us hope.
That statement must guide all of the government's actions at all stages and with all partners.
I should point out that five months have passed since the disaster and there is still no agreement on how Ottawa will pay its share of the $60 million.
Lac-Mégantic's downtown was destroyed and will be out of commission until 2015.
The new commercial condos being built will allow some businesses—though not all—to reopen, but not before February 2014.
A news article from November 21, 2013, included the following quote from Karine Lévesque, the business valuation director, regarding the situation facing business owners in Lac-Mégantic:
Some are covered by a fixed amount, for example, the first $5,000 or $150,000. Other policies cover lost profits for the first 12 months, but that is the maximum. After that period...we will have to see what measures the government will put in place.
Only 25% of business owners in Lac-Mégantic have the better 12-month coverage.
We have to rebuild this town. We also have to ensure that the town becomes prosperous again.
Before he finished his last visit to Lac-Mégantic, the Prime Minister stopped in for a photo op at a cheese factory in Lac-Mégantic.
This evening, I am asking the government if it will turn its photo ops into action and create a special funding program for Lac-Mégantic—it is okay to say that word tonight, unlike November 8 when he could not even say it—in addition to the money already announced, to support business owners in Lac-Mégantic.
If so, when will this program be put in place?