House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2006, with 46% of the vote.
Intergovernmental Affairs October 21st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, there the Bloc Québécois goes again with its exaggerations. It is fascinating how they take bits and pieces of quotes from the federalist government in Quebec and forget the rest.
It is odd that they are not quoting today from the words of Carole Théberge or Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, who say they are continuing to work in a positive manner with the Government of Canada. That is exactly what our two governments are doing.
Intergovernmental Affairs October 21st, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister of Canada himself has said that he would respect provincial jurisdictions in whatever he did. We wholly approve of the statements made by federalist premier Charest.
Child Care October 20th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, there is no contradiction. First, as far as Quebec is concerned, discussions are being held between the minister responsible, Carole Théberge, and our Minister of Social Development. It is absolutely normal for Quebec, given its headstart over many other provinces, to consider other aspects of its family policy.
Child Care October 20th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Social Development is with his provincial counterparts this very day discussing the various challenges we face throughout the country. He also is in ongoing dialogue with his colleague from Quebec, Carole Théberge.
Child Care October 19th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, we have already acknowledged that Quebec's system is innovative. We have already acknowledged that Quebec could very well improve its policy on the family, since it is already ahead of other provinces. The child care system is one component of such a policy. There are others Quebec wants to develop, and we have no objections. That is absolutely not where the problem lies. Once again, the Bloc Québécois is making things up.
Child Care October 19th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the dialogue with the Government of Quebec is continuing, through its minister, Carole Théberge. This year alone, 2005-06, the Government of Quebec has received the share of funding to which it was entitled, as have all other provincial governments. Negotiations with the Government of Quebec are still underway and we have every hope of coming to an arrangement.
Intergovernmental Affairs October 19th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the door is wide open to the federalist government in Quebec, but not to the Bloc Québécois. That is very clear. This is why, over the past year, we have signed a number of agreements on health, older workers, the homeless, the New Horizons Program for the elderly, agriculture and the environment. We will continue to do so in the child care sector.
Intergovernmental Affairs October 19th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I will continue the dialogue with my Quebec counterpart, but never with the Bloc Québécois, which does not want things to work in Canada. That is very different.
The Prime Minister of Canada and the Minister of Social Development have always said that this would be done in the respect of provincial jurisdictions. That is what we will do.
Intergovernmental Affairs October 19th, 2005
What is more, Mr. Speaker, as far as I know, the Bloc certainly does not speak for the federalist government in Quebec.
That said, this is not the first time the federal government has been involved with issues relating to children. In 1998, when everyone was offered the child tax benefit—in the days of a PQ government in Quebec—we did not hear any protests from the Bloc. It is quite natural then—
Intergovernmental Affairs October 19th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the very existence of the Bloc Québécois is the worst threat to national unity. First and foremost—