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Crucial Fact

  • Her favourite word was quebec.

Last in Parliament September 2008, as Independent MP for Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques (Québec)

Lost her last election, in 2008, with 5% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Supply November 22nd, 2005

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his speech. I must say that I could have made practically the same speech. The reality is absolutely identical for farm producers in our region, who are under supply management, and they have the same demands. Just last week, I too met with producers and representatives from the UPA, who were extremely concerned about the situation.

The question I would like to ask of my colleague has to do with the fact that, just a few days ago, the Canadian negotiator appointed by the government met with representatives from the UPA and various sectors under supply management. He said something to the effect that changes were to be expected. I have tuned in to a number of radio shows on this topic. When we are told to expect changes and losses, when fundamental changes are announced, how concerned should we be? What does my hon. colleague think of the mandate the negotiator was given by the federal government to give something up?

Supply November 15th, 2005

Mr. Speaker, I like having official government documents to tie into. Yesterday, we received and heard the Minister of Finance's economic statement. On page. 13 of the “Plan for Growth and Prosperity” under the heading “Building the Right Investment Environment” and the sub-heading “Driving Greater Productivity in Government” the minister says:

Getting government right is an important part of building the right environment for investment. The government must constantly strive to make its programs and services as efficient and cost-effective as possible.

He goes on—and this is of special interest in connection with this morning's topic:

It must also maintain the highest possible ethical standards and ensure that its operations are carried out in ways that enable Canadians to clearly see and assess what our government is doing and why.

I have a very simple question for my colleague from Winnipeg Centre, whom I thank for his speech. Does the hon. member not feel that, if the government were consistent, it would without hesitation come on side on the need for a thorough revamping of the Access to Information Act?

Sponsorship Program November 1st, 2005

Mr. Speaker, Justice Gomery wrote at page 47 of his report, and I quote “—Treasury Board no longer considers its oversight function to be an important part of its overall responsibilities”. He said, in short, that the Prime Minister, as the former vice-chair of the Treasury Board, and the current Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, who chaired Treasury Board for over four years, abdicated their responsibilities.

When will the government understand it no longer has the credibility needed to govern?

Energy Costs Assistance Measures Act November 1st, 2005

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Mégantic—L'Érable for his presentation.

First I want to ask him whether, in response to the extremely arrogant comments made by the parliamentary secretary, he agrees with me that among the measures a creative government could introduce to help families that are less well off wanting to take advantage of a home energy improvement program, it could include tax credits.

The parliamentary secretary's main concern is overpayments, in other words, that people will be given too much money. That shows how little confidence he has in Canadians and Quebeckers. He does not believe that people will file claims based on a well known culture, but that instead they will go after the money for another use.

Accordingly, does my colleague agree that these measures could have been tied in with tax credits? In the event of an overpayment, the recipient would have to pay it back. That is how it works in other cases.

My colleague also said that the price increases were a recurring problem. Ever since the representatives of the oil industry appeared before the committee, the prices have gone down. Is that a coincidence? My colleague thinks that the prices will increase. When we think about this recurring problem and the future of our environment, then should this program not also include a long-term investment in clean energy? I am referring to converting to wind energy and solar power.

Unanticipated Surpluses Act October 27th, 2005

Mr. Speaker, first, I would like the minister to explain in plain and simple terms, so that it is easy to understand, for the benefit of both the members of this House and the people listening, the real reasons why such unanticipated surpluses exist, given that the minister began his speech by boasting about having always had a very transparent and balanced approach.

Second, will the minister recognize that these surpluses are due in large part to the fiscal imbalance and that they actually represent shortfalls for the provinces and for Quebec?

Third, with respect to the one-third that he intends to allocate to investments, at the time of making these new investments, does the minister plan to respect the jurisdictions of the provinces and Quebec?

Bernard Voyer October 24th, 2005

Mr. Speaker, “We need only to surpass ourselves.” That phrase summarizes in a nutshell the philosophy of Bernard Voyer, who was given an honourary doctorate by the Université du Québec à Rimouski last Saturday, October 22.

This recognition, following on so many others such as the National Order of Quebec, the Order of Canada, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society gold medal, and being listed as one of the 50 greatest Canadians, clearly reflects how proud the university and the people of all of eastern Quebec are of Mr. Voyer.

Mr. Voyer, that model of determination and commitment, does indeed surpass himself continually, although benefiting from the presence of the companions in his adventures. When faced with what seems to be an insurmountable obstacle, his reaction: “I will find the energy I need in the challenge itself and in my desire to succeed”.

All of my colleagues in the Bloc Québécois join with me in congratulating Mr. Voyer on his achievements and thank him for his example to us all, both young and old.

Telecommunications Act October 20th, 2005

Madam Speaker, I have two questions for the hon. member who just spoke, regarding fines and penalties.

I want to know if he is satisfied with the provisions of the bill on this. It would be better, for our edification, if he could elaborate on this and tell us whether telemarketers who do not respect the provisions of the legislation should have their privileges and permits revoked.

The fines are a good enforcement measure. However, if it is worth it, if there are enough profits, if the situation is favourable enough to make the fines affordable, then telemarketers could easily disobey these provisions. Fines are not the right tool to encourage compliance. That is why I want the hon. member to explain whether this will go further or whether it is limited to fines.

Telecommunications Act October 20th, 2005

Madam Speaker, I want to ask the member who just spoke a question about the do not call list . It is not enough to create a do not call list. How will the public be made aware of its existence?

Could he tell us if the bill includes a special measure on awareness and information campaigns, so that the general public can be made aware of their right to register?

First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act October 6th, 2005

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Louis-Saint-Laurent for his speech. I have three short questions for him.

He just answered them in part. Nevertheless, first, in his view do the first nations currently have what I would call the “ancillary tools”—I do not want to use a pejorative term—to choose to take advantage of the services that this bill creates.

Second, the member referred to the fact that it will obviously be necessary for the first nations to achieve political autonomy first. Is he confident that the current government is vigilant enough to ensure that they will be able to acquire it fairly quickly when they request it?

Third, if he could let us know, I would like him to tell us what the effects would be in regard to the grants currently received in comparison with the benefits that the first nations will be able to receive when they decide to implement or utilize the services provided under this legislation?

Bank Act October 6th, 2005

Madam Speaker, I have a related question for the hon. member who just spoke.

At the beginning of his speech, he indicated that Bill C-57 was part of a modern regulatory framework. That is understandable. We have to keep up with the times.

On the whole issue of access to information and the use of electronic communications to transmit any type of information, I was wondering if this was satisfactory? Is the hon. member satisfied? He did point out that this was a large piece of legislation. I am not as knowledgeable as our hon. colleague, but I am concerned because of the major challenges we are facing. I will not run down the list, but there have been scandals and, in one instance, privileged and confidential information held by a financial institution was made public.

Given the large number of amendments contained in Bill C-57 and the large number of acts in relation to financial institutions affected by these changes, I was wondering whether it had been necessary to improve security once again around the whole access to information issue, particularly where the privacy of individual citizens is concerned.