Michel Gauthier

[Millennium Scholarships, March 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, if the minister really wants Quebec students to benefit from it, I should remind him, in an absolutely reasonable manner, that, on February 15, the Quebec Minister of Education asked to meet him to negotiate on the basis of that resolution, to sign an agreement and to settle the issue.

If the minister is serious about settling the issue, will he do the reasonable thing, assume his political responsibilities, sit down with Quebec officials, sign an agreement and thus allow Quebec students to benefit from the program?

[Millennium Scholarships, March 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the unanimous resolution passed by the National Assembly regarding the millennium scholarships provides essentially three things: first, Quebec's share will be determined by using demographic data; second, Quebec will select the students who will get the scholarships; and, third, the scholarships will be awarded while avoiding any duplication and ensuring the necessary visibility for the government.

Is this not a reasonable position, and will the minister come to the table and sign this with the Quebec Minister of Education?

[Millenium Scholarship Foundation, March 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Human Resources Development stated earlier that he is not involved in three-way negotiations, not negotiating with Jean Charest in Quebec City concerning the millennium scholarships.

Yet a just-issued press release states that “with the assent of Ottawa, the Jean Charest Liberals propose a three-way negotiation”. Later in the release education critic Béchard is quoted as saying “We have established the major parameters of this proposal in conjunction with the federal government”.

Is the federal government currently negotiating with Jean Charest, yes or no?

[Social Union Agreement, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, am I to understand from the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs that there were discussions to convince British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario to change their positions on the social union framework agreement and that a financial argument was never used?

In other words, they changed their positions without knowing that it would be to their financial advantage.

[Social Union Agreement, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, three provinces, along with Quebec, constituted a group determined to get the federal government to respect the common front on the social union. They were Ontario, Alberta and, to a lesser extent and a bit later on, British Columbia.

Quebec very quickly found itself isolated and, less than two weeks later, these three provinces hit the jackpot in the federal budget.

My question is for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs: Were there in fact discussions and negotiations on a financial basis with the three provinces?

[The Budget, February 18th, 1999]

They are nothing but doormats.

[The Budget, February 18th, 1999]

He is afraid of people.

[Transfer Payments, February 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, what is most unfortunate is that the member for Saint-Maurice is among the 26 who should look after Quebec's interests, but we know what his position is.

Yesterday, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs said that his province is very well served, while his colleague, the President of the Treasury Board, who was less involved in this matter, felt that this was the worst possible situation for Quebec.

Are we to understand that what Liberal ministers from Quebec say varies depending on what they have to sell?

[Transfer Payments, February 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, what is unfortunate is—

[Transfer Payments, February 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear from all this that, when the Minister of Finance cuts funding, it is mostly in Quebec, and when he increases funding, it is mostly in Ontario. That is clear.

If, in 1995, the President of the Treasury Board was convinced that this was the worst possible situation for Quebec, where was he when cabinet made this decision? Where were they, him and his Quebec colleagues? They are just featherweights against Ontario heavyweights. They are unable to protect Quebec's interests.