House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2006, with 50% of the vote.
The Budget December 11th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, how can the Minister of Finance justify his political choice to have part of our taxes administered through infrastructures by people who have not been elected, by people who are not accountable to anyone, except to the Prime Minister, who will appoint them in the first place?
How can we give to friends of the government the power to decide which water supply system or highway should be built?
The Budget December 11th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance should inject a substantial amount of money into the economy to build infrastructures.
However, instead of directly adding $2 billion to the existing envelope, he announced the establishment of a private foundation.
How can the Minister of Finance explain that, instead of investing the money directly and quickly in infrastructures, he chose to bypass all existing channels and create a foundation, which will require new negotiations with the provinces and delay projects?
Jean-Philippe Bourgeois December 5th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, last weekend, Jean-Philippe Bourgeois, an avalanche expert from Drummondville, arrived in Afghanistan.
Accompanied by a 25-member Swedish team, which he will direct, Mr. Bourgeois' job will be to keep ground lines of communication open for the delivery of humanitarian aid.
This will require him to artificially trigger avalanches in high mountain areas, dangerous work which will be accomplished with explosives and in conditions of extreme cold.
Mr. Bourgeois, who has done this sort of work before for Médecins sans frontières, will be working for Care Canada this time.
This is a fine example of commitment and courage showing us once again that Quebecers are now to be found throughout the world and that they often play key roles on the international scene.
I wish to say bravo to Jean-Philippe Bourgeois and all his team.
Bal des moissons November 30th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the 26th annual Bal des moissons, organized by the Conseil régional des sociétés d'agriculture du centre du Québec, MAPAQ and the Caisses populaires Desjardins of Central Quebec, was an event to celebrate agricultural leaders in this region.
According to the jury of five farmers and professionals in the field, the high level of candidates made it very difficult to award the prize in the youth category.
I am therefore particularly proud to congratulate Gilbert Perreault and his spouse, Chantal Brodeur, of Saint-Germain-de-Grantham, this year's winners of the Gerbe d'Or trophy, in the youth category.
As well, despite all of the controversy surrounding hog production, the hog business Ferme des Rêves, owned by Roger Tessier and Réjeanne Ménard, won the Céres trophy in the agricultural practices category for its overall good management practices.
And finally, Martin Courchesne, of Lefebvre, won the Méritas Élite award for young farmers.
I would like to congratulate the winners and all of the nominees from the Centre-du-Québec region for the various categories. They have helped the field of agriculture to improve, innovate and perform.
Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Drummond November 22nd, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Drummond recently recognized area business people, highlighting the unflagging work of the women and men that make Drummondville businesses some of the best businesses in Quebec.
Armotec, owned by François Beaudoin, a sovereignist, won the Prix Distinction and the Napoléon award for exports. This kitchen hardware and furniture manufacturing business distinguished itself as one of 14 winning businesses.
Gilles Soucy, of the Soucy group, won the builder prize for 2001. From modest beginnings, Mr. Soucy now heads a number of parts and accessories companies for the recreational, commercial and military sectors.
And the business person of the year award went to André Paquin, an associate of the firm Verrier Paquin Hébert.
I would like to congratulate all of the winners as well as the nominees for this year that is coming to a close. May they serve as examples to other entrepreneurs to inspire them in their pursuit of excellence.
Employment Insurance November 19th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the government is dipping into the fund.
The plan that the Bloc Quebecois presented to the Minister of Finance to support the economy includes a two month EI contribution holiday for companies.
What is the minister waiting for to take advantage of the huge $8 billion surplus and follow up on our suggestion to support the economy, this at a time when it needs it badly?
Employment Insurance November 19th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the only way to be just to employment insurance contributors would be to set up a separate fund, so as to know exactly what surpluses are generated by the fund and how that money should be used.
For reasons of honesty, transparency and fairness, should the Minister of Finance not tell the truth to EI contributors by setting up a separate fund that he would not be able to raid as he pleases and as he has been doing for several years, at the expense of the unemployed and of contributors?
Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act November 8th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I totally agree with the member. I would like to repeat what I said in my speech, that the protection of habitats and fauna is a matter of joint jurisdiction, and that the Government of Quebec plans to establish a framework for the protection of marine areas in the near future.
Therefore, it would be in the best interests of the federal government to agree to work in co-operation with all provinces instead of challenging them.
Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act November 8th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the House that the Constitution Act, 1867 recognizes that the management and sale of crown land are matters of exclusive provincial jurisdiction ant that the Quebec legislation on crown lands applies to all crown lands in Quebec, including the beds of waterways and lakes and the bed of the St. Lawrence river, estuary and gulf, which belong to Quebec by sovereign right.
I would like this government to assure us that it will respect the territories. To create the marine areas, it will need part of the territory. It cannot do otherwise.
We will never accept to surrender our lands to the federal government, so that it can meddle further in our affairs and intrude on our jurisdictions.
I urge this government to abide by the Constitution Act, 1867.
Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act November 8th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to my government colleague, we do know that he is not neutral in this whole story. He is very partisan. He has that reputation.
Perhaps I could ask him a question. Can his government give us some assurances and commit to respecting Quebec's land claims or is it going to ignore them as usual and establish marine areas wherever it sees fit?
Let the federal government prove that it is going to respect Quebec's land claims. As things stand now, there is nothing in the bill in this respect. The onus is on the government, not on the opposition.