Lost her last election, in 2008, with 39% of the vote.
International Trade November 24th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister for International Trade.
Since yesterday, we have been hearing all sorts of stories and figures about Canada and the actions of the WTO to clarify the decision by Brazil.
Could the minister tell us about the latest developments in the Canada-Brazil matter?
Children November 18th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, in recognition of National Child Day, I would like to read two paragraphs of a poem that was written by a child prostitute entitled “A Commitment to Children”.
And we accept responsibility for those whose nightmares come in the daytime who never eat anything who have never seen a dentist who aren't spoiled by anybody who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep who live and move but have no being.
And we accept responsibility for children who want to be carried and for those we never give up on and for those who don't ask for a second chance for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.
Let us make this commitment not just on November 20, but for the rest of our lives here as parliamentarians.
International Day Of Tolerance November 16th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate the international day of tolerance as declared by the United Nations in 1995.
This day serves as a reminder of our obligation to inform society and make it aware that diversity and individual differences are an asset to our world.
We must extinguish ignorance and fear, the main sources of intolerance, through education, the most effective means of prevention. We must work hard to remove all barriers and promote equality in order to allow tolerance to thrive. As the world becomes more diverse and interdependent, tolerance becomes fundamental to the survival of mankind.
Canada has prospered in diversity. We, as Canadians, have succeeded to live in harmony, to grow as a multicultural, multiracial and multiethnic nation, and to promote and be the role model for a tolerant society.
Our duty as Canadian parliamentarians is to prevent the intolerance of today from becoming the conflict of tomorrow. Let us strive in unity to achieve worldwide tolerance.
Millennium Scholarships November 4th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the matter of the millennium scholarships is a happy event for Quebec students.
I point out, however, that the $70 million provided annually for Quebec for a ten year period is to benefit Quebec students.
These grants will be awarded to the students who need it the most, while also helping them reduce their debt and guaranteeing that we uphold our previous financial commitment to these students.
The Government of Quebec has attempted to evade the real issues. The Parti Quebecois should not ignore the students of Quebec because they should be the ones to benefit from this contribution.
They should think twice before trying to make political gain on the backs of young Quebecers. They have no interest in political battles, as they told the Bloc member for Longueuil.
It is now up to the Government of Quebec to show its good faith in this matter, because the Government of Canada wants our young people to enjoy the fruits of this program, which is intended for them.
Supply November 4th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I have listened carefully to the comments by my colleague.
I too am an elected representative from Quebec. This country's culture is very important to me and, as a Canadian MP representing a Quebec riding, my wish is to ensure that Canada's unique culture is protected.
Perhaps the hon. member is not aware that the Government of Canada is really the one which has, on numerous occasions, demonstrated that it is in place precisely to ensure the protection of what is unique about Canada.
We are in favour of consultation, nevertheless. We have consulted with the provinces and will continue to do so. But when negotiations are involved, these are government to government.
I can assure the Canadians and Quebecers in our audience that, in connection with the points raised by the hon. member relating to environment and culture, it is our duty to ensure that the Government of Canada protects all aspects of Canada's culture, throughout Canada, for ours is a unique country.
We have a specific identity in the eyes of the world. It is truly the duty of the Canadian government, a duty we accept, to continue to consult the provinces and to ensure that we have the best negotiations, precisely in order to protect Canadian culture.
Hellenic Republic November 3rd, 1999
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of External Affairs of the Hellenic Republic is currently on an official visit to Canada. His presence symbolizes the warm ties that bind our two nations.
While in Canada the minister reiterated his guiding principles of stability, democracy and unity worldwide and particularly in the Balkans. In endorsing these laudable principles we as parliamentarians should also support his efforts to establish a permanent Olympic truce, suspending all hostilities during all Olympic competition to serve as the seed to greater world peace.
Canada-Greece relations have been strengthened by the efforts of the Hellenic foreign minister and our foreign minister who have been working closely together to promote democratic principles, peace, unity and to combat injustice everywhere, thereby continuing to build on Hellenism's legacy of noble statesmen.
As a Canadian parliamentarian of Hellenic origin, I am proud of the continuous efforts for peace and the promotion of human security of both my birth country, Hellas, and my adopted country, Canada.
Maurice Richard October 26th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, last night in Montreal a special event took place.
Yesterday evening, we paid tribute to a hero of Ahuntsic, of Montreal, and of the entire hockey world, Maurice Richard.
Maurice Richard is an example of tenacity, of hard work, and of hockey professionalism. He is also a hero for people such as my brother and all the young people of his generation, but it transcends generations.
In short, he is a model on the ice and off it as well.
I say thank you to Maurice Richard for being a role model for all young people in the country, and for also assuring that our national sport, hockey, continues to be honoured in the same way and to be reflective of the type of team and sport spirit we want in the country.
Congratulations, Maurice, and thanks.
Fight Against Poverty October 19th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, October 17 was International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Unfortunately, in Canada, a large number of people are still living in poverty.
I want to mention the extraordinary work done by community groups in the riding of Ahuntsic, including Solidarité Ahuntsic, for which I act as spokesperson in the fight against poverty, the Carrefour d'aide aux nouveaux arrivants, which organized a seminar on poverty on Thursday, the SNAC and the Corbeille Bordeaux-Cartierville, with which I organize a non-perishable food drive at Christmas.
Our government in the past and with the recent Speech from the Throne has taken positive steps toward assisting Canadian families living in poverty, and most important, children, with programs such as the national head start program, the new national child benefit and the Canada child tax benefit program. But together we must do more. We owe it to future generations to ensure that none of our children go hungry, or have no shelter, or grow up poor.
Violence Against Women June 11th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, violence against women is a very serious matter. The government has in fact taken measures.
Obviously the problem has not yet been alleviated. We will continue to make progress on the government side of the House through our gun control legislation and through measures by the minister responsible for the status of women.
Violence against women is unacceptable and has zero tolerance in terms of our society. We will continue working with all departments of the government to ensure that this type of scenario does not continue.
Anti-Gang Legislation June 11th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question.
I will simply remind the House that the present government, under the former justice minister, passed anti-gang legislation in 1997. This legislation was greeted warmly by the legal community. If any amendments to this legislation are necessary, the minister and this government would be very pleased to examine suggestions from the Bloc Quebecois or from members from other parties in the House.
We are anxious to improve the legislation we ourselves introduced, precisely in order to do something about this serious problem in our society.