Jacques Saada

[Softwood Lumber, November 25th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, barely a few days ago in the House, the Prime Minister was extremely clear. The goal is to tell our American friends that we will support our industry and our workers despite the absolutely unacceptable measures imposed on them by the Americans. We will stand by them no matter what, even if it means increasing what we are currently offering them. This is clear. This question follows on the answer already provided.

I must say that the opposition, in its rush to the polls, is preventing us from voting the supplementary estimates, which include the $20 million in aid to help the industry cover its legal costs. They should not try to suck and blow at the same time.

[Softwood Lumber, November 25th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, there were two major aspects to yesterday's package. The first is the $800 million in credit insurance. These funds can by quickly freed up because legislation on industry allows this.

As for the other amounts, Parliament must decide. It is not my fault that the opposition is in such a rush to go to the polls it prefers to put partisan interests before the interests of the public, which is waiting for these funds.

[Textile and Clothing Industry, November 23rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I would tell my hon. colleague to go and see how things are at Stedfast, in Granby, or Empire Shirt in Louiseville, before saying that the textile industry is doomed.

Those people over there are constantly making more demands, but when they have an opportunity to walk the talk, they do not take it. When a budget increase was proposed to help that sector, they refused it. They voted against that budget. This is hypocritical. I keep on saying this, and will continue to say it over the coming weeks: they have no right and no credibility in that sector.

[Textile and Clothing Industry, November 23rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, on October 28, 2005, the Government of Canada announced the elimination of the 14% customs tariff on imported fabrics. That measure is retroactive to January 1, 2005. It will save Canadian manufacturers in the order of $29 million annually. This is in addition to the program for Canadian textiles, through which 173 projects have been approved in Quebec, for a total of $10.3 million. It is also in addition to CANtex, which has allocated $26.7 million nationally since October 13, 2004, $14.6 million of that in Quebec. In Quebec alone, 43 projects were approved for a total of $3.2 million.

[Softwood Lumber, November 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as far as I am concerned, that party has no credibility when it comes to regional development.

Voting against a bill that would have enabled us to intervene does nothing for their credibility. Voting against a budget that would have protected regional development—as that party did—does nothing for their credibility.

We are working diligently and intelligently on this highly complex issue with the full intention of helping our people, but not with the grandstanding approach the Bloc members would like.

[Softwood Lumber, November 18th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, we are working on this complex issue with a view to determine what would be best for the public and the affected industries. We are not here to engage in propaganda and find simplistic solutions to complex issues. I would ask the member to show some patience. He will see that the work we are doing is much more comprehensive than anything he can ever do.

[Softwood Lumber, November 18th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, first, the Prime Minister is making all necessary efforts to ensure that the United States respects the rule of law. Second, as regards helping businesses, the idea of providing loan guarantees deserves to be examined, based on the impact that such a measure would have on the entire industry. We must find a way to help the industry as a whole. This is what we are working on.

[Emergency Management Act, November 17th, 2005]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-78, An Act to provide for emergency management and to amend and repeal certain Acts.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Economic Development, November 15th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I can hardly wait for André Harvey to return to this House and behave like a real MP.

The members of the Bloc voted against a $307 million increase in the budget and against Bill C-9. We have helped the textile industry with CANtex, but they did not agree. They were absent. We helped the regions of Quebec in need, despite the Bloc. I travel throughout Quebec, and the Bloc comes along behind me. I repeat this is total hypocrisy.

[Economic Development, November 15th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, barely a few months ago, we voted an additional $307 million for Quebec regions, which the Bloc members opposed. We invested $50 million in softwood lumber and $34 million in fisheries, despite the Bloc. We have developed the Gaspé, Chandler, Cap-Chat and Magog, despite the Bloc. We have achieved economic diversification, despite the Bloc. This is hypocrisy pure and simple.