Lucienne Robillard

[The Environment, October 31st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, in Quebec we do not know what to make of the Minister of the Environment.

On October 20, she stated in this House that the Government of Quebec had presented an excellent environmental plan. Yesterday she had the gall to say that the Conservative government was concerned about Quebec's approach.

Does she realize that the citizens are worried about the lack of leadership of our Minister of the Environment? Why has she changed her mind? Does she realize that she is undermining the little credibility she has left as Minister of the Environment?

[Justice, October 30th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the minority government seems to want to ignore the facts and cling to its American ideology of law and order.

Statistics Canada reported that the average number of young people in detention and on probation has continued to decline. Yet the government is again opening the door to prosecuting more and more young people and incarcerating them for longer terms.

Why does the government have no program to help vulnerable young people and support families?

[Justice, October 30th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice still have not learned that leading a minority government takes more than partisan slogans and ideological obstinance. The government not only has to make decisions based in fact, it also has to consult. The Liberal opposition has offered to pass six justice bills immediately.

When will the Prime Minister agree to put public safety ahead of his own partisan interests?

[Government Legislation, October 26th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the words “listen” and “consult” are not part of the Conservatives' vocabulary.

Neither environmental groups nor the provinces were consulted about dropping the Kyoto protocol. Women were not consulted about the change to the mandate of Status of Women, and even less consideration was given to the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada about abolishing the court challenges program.

Does the Prime Minister know that he does not have a monopoly on truth in this country?

[Government Legislation, October 26th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is being arrogant, controlling and even threatening, when he should show some humility in his position.

“The people express their wishes as much through the opposition as through the government”, he once said. Has he forgotten? Has he forgotten that almost two out of three Canadians rejected the Conservatives in the last election?

Instead of childishly complaining, can the Prime Minister learn to put his rigidity aside and be open to ideas other than his own?

[Aerospace Industry, October 25th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this plan was prepared by an individual who today is one of them.

In the past 10 months, we have seen the government delay hundreds of millions of dollars in research and development investments for the aerospace industry. It even cut $42 million from an assistance program for the industry. The Conservatives are abandoning workers and a sector that is crucial to the economic development of Montreal.

What justification can the minister responsible for Montreal provide for such negligence? When will he finally give a positive response to all these projects currently on his desk?

[Aerospace Industry, October 25th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, it is becoming increasingly evident that this Conservative government has no regard for Montreal. Yesterday, neither the Prime Minister nor the parliamentary secretary could give a single example of something that Michael Fortier has done for Montreal. However, I can give you two examples of failures: the lack of an aerospace policy and job losses at Bombardier.

All the work has been done. All the stakeholders agree. When will the minister responsible for Montreal announce our aerospace policy?

[Minister of Public Works and Government Services, October 24th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is unable to state a single achievement. This is just more idle talk.

Workers in Montreal are even being penalized by this minority Conservative government. I am referring to textile workers and film creators. And just this morning, we learned that workers at Bombardier are losing their jobs. Meanwhile, the minister is dodging and hiding in the other place.

Will the Prime Minister recognize that Montrealers are poorly served by his government?

[Minister of Public Works and Government Services, October 24th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister supposedly appointed Michael Fortier to cabinet to represent Montreal and, yesterday, he had the audacity to say that his minister was doing a good job, this without giving a single solid example.

Given that the Minister of Public Works and Government Services cannot account for his work to the members of this House, will the Prime Minister report to us on the achievements of his minister for Montreal? What exactly has he done for the development of Montreal?

[Decorum, October 23rd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, what is going on with this minority Conservative government? It seems incapable of admitting the slightest error.

For weeks, the Prime Minister refused to admit that cutting the women's program was a mistake.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs made those unacceptable comments four days ago. Why has the Prime Minister not yet said a thing about it in the House? Why has he not demanded that his minister apologize? Why has he not called him to order?