House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2006, with 46% of the vote.
Employment Insurance February 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, since yesterday, again today, tomorrow and next week, all of the government members, myself included, will be on the ground, to meet Quebeckers and explain to them the benefits of belonging to the Canadian federation, unlike what the Bloc is telling us.
Employment Insurance February 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc has so much trouble admitting when we take a step in the right direction. It is always like this.
Let me quote Rodrigue Landry, the spokesman for seasonal workers in southeastern New Brunswick, who said,
This is a real victory. This news here is nothing less than a victory. It is what we wanted from the start: the 14 best weeks out of the last 52.
He is a spokesman for seasonal workers.
Child Care February 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, once again, what exaggeration on the part of the hon. member for Verchères—Les Patriotes.
Every province in this country is accountable to its own citizens, and I am all for that. Be it Alberta or Quebec, they report directly to their citizens. That is precisely what accountability is all about in any government system.
Child Care February 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I seriously wonder where the Bloc gets its interpretations.
We have always said that the Government of Quebec was an innovator in child care, and that the other provinces might want to look at what Quebec has done and draw inspiration from it to develop their own systems. Clearly, we will not penalize a province that has been innovative in an area as important as early childhood development.
National Defence February 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that the opposition, the NDP, does not understand how the government operates.
Clearly, all decisions of such importance are reached in cabinet. The decision was in fact reached there, but that did not prevent the Minister of Foreign Affairs from speaking with his U.S. counterpart and indicating that this discussion would be taking place within cabinet.
The decision was therefore reached in the appropriate manner in cabinet and then made public after the Minister of Foreign Affairs had announced it in the House of Commons.
Employment Insurance February 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as you have said, we cannot allow such language in the House. I most certainly wish to reply because, contrary to what the Bloc Québécois says, what was announced yesterday were measures that will help seasonal workers.
The problem is not seasonal workers, but seasonal work. We are working with various stakeholders. Oddly enough, unlike the Bloc, I have heard what was announced yesterday described by a spokesperson for seasonal workers as a victory for them.
Employment Insurance February 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Chambly—Borduas should be very careful in his comments. As we all know, the employment insurance fund is an accounting notion, it is a virtual fund that has existed since the Auditor General's opinion in 1986.
Over the past few years, we increased benefits by close to $1 billion to help workers who experience problems in certain parts of the country, particularly seasonal workers. Yesterday, we were very pleased to be able to announce additional adjustments.
Human Resources February 23rd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I think we have to be proud that our government put forward this compassionate care leave for the people in our society. I think it was the first time it had been done in our country. We do believe that after one year of experience it is time to evaluate the program and perhaps bring about some improvements.
Employment Insurance February 22nd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Madawaska—Restigouche for his interest in working with the people from his area, both employers and employees, to try to solve the labour market problems.
In fact, the Liberal caucus has submitted a report remarkable by its many recommendations. We hope to be able to put new measures into practice to help employers and employees.
Child Care February 16th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, how can the Bloc, particularly the hon. member for Québec, talk out of both sides of its mouth at once?
On the one hand, the hon. member is asking for the unconditional transfer of funds to Quebec and, on the other, she is opposed to the foundation that might allow such an unconditional transfer to Quebec.
Such inconsistency. Such confusion. Such typical behaviour from the Bloc.