Jacques Saada

[Laurent Beaudoin, October 28th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, on October 26, Laurent Beaudoin, president of Bombardier, was named Person of the Year at the 14th Gala de l'Excellence organized by La Presse .

Mr. Beaudoin's career is closely linked to the growth of Bombardier. Under his leadership, since 1966, the company's sales have soared from $10 million to $8 billion.

Under his direction, Bombardier has made it its mission to play a leadership role in all its areas of activity. The company excels in design, manufacturing and marketing.

It should also be noted that Mr. Beaudoin has always demonstrated his strong commitment to Canada and its capabilities.

On behalf of my colleagues, I wish to acknowledge the work done by Laurent Beaudoin, a role model for a whole generation.

[Job Creation, October 9th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw the hon. members' attention to the actions taken by the Government of Canada to revive and develop the site of the military base and the airport area in Saint-Hubert and their surroundings.

The Federal Office of Regional Development for Quebec decided to contribute $990,000 to a local initiative for the creation of the Saint-Hubert military base and airport area corporation.

This corporation will be responsible for managing $1 million in adjustment money that the defence department made available to the area.

Moreover, $6 million will be invested over three years to transform the economic base of the area and promote technological development. The financial assistance will be used to help implement expansion plans for the small businesses in my area, Montreal's south shore.

This is a fine example of how good long-term jobs can be created in Quebec.

[Bloc Quebecois Leader, October 6th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, last week, the Bloc Quebecois leader said that Acadian artists should settle in Quebec to avoid assimilation.

The hon. member should know that French Canadians deserve praise for their efforts and that they did not wait for the Bloc Quebecois and its paternalistic statements to fight for their identity. But the member's comment goes much further. The Bloc leader is in fact encouraging ethnic grouping.

I will refrain from saying what happens, as history teaches us, when ethnic grouping is encouraged on a territorial basis.

I say to this House that the overwhelming majority of Quebeckers reject this narrow and dangerous vision, which dates back to the last century.

When making such comments, the Bloc Quebecois leader does not in any way represent Quebeckers, whether they are federalist or not. Will the member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie now tell anglophones in Quebec that they will have to leave their province to avoid assimilation?

Out of respect for Acadians and for the whole—

[Member For Rimouski—Mitis, September 30th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, it is difficult for me to find the right words to express, fully but calmly, my outrage at what the Bloc member for Rimouski—Mitis had to say.

This separatist member, who is well known for putting her foot in her mouth, said last week, and I quote “As a French Canadian, I am a second class citizen”.

If we accept the member's logic, this means that Quebeckers who are against Quebec separating are second class citizens. This arrogant attitude is an insult for all the Quebeckers who prefer to remain Canadians.

This is yet another sign of the member's exclusionist mentality, and to add insult to injury, these statements are being made supposedly on behalf of francophones.