Crucial Fact

  • Her favourite word was heritage.

Last in Parliament May 2004, as Liberal MP for Laval East (Québec)

Lost her last election, in 2004, with 40% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Canadian Association of Broadcasters November 1st, 2001

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters has been holding its 75th annual convention in Ottawa for the past few days.

One of the activities of the congress was the awarding of scholarships by a number of private broadcasters, Astral Media, Canwest Global and CTV, to name but a few, along with BBM Bureau of Measurement, to outstanding students in journalism and communications. Nine students in all were selected.

I had the pleasure of presenting the scholarship from BBM Bureau of Measurement to a young woman from Laval, a resident of my riding, named Élise Breault.

Élise attends the École des Hautes Études Commerciales in Montreal. She is 24 years old, and proposes to enrich the Canadian broadcasting industry by examining experiments in other countries.

Well done, Élise and the rest of the winners.

Supply October 29th, 2001

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member raised the real question. In fact it is easy for the Bloc to make that request knowing it will never form the government.

I think it is the Canadian government's responsibility to take things into consideration and to ensure that money is spent in a rational wa, to keep our finances in order.

Poverty exists in this country too and it is very important to ensure the survival of our communities and, of course, to help the international communities facing wars and conflicts. However I believe we have to act in consultation with other countries and to avoid giving more than we can.

Supply October 29th, 2001

Mr. Speaker, I am quite sure the hon. member on the other side of the House will be able to inform the person in his riding that the Canadian government has already gone a long way toward helping the people of Afghanistan. Indeed, we are setting up all kinds of measures to relieve these people, whose government supports terrorism.

Therefore, I think it is very important that each and every member does his share to speak the truth in their ridings.

Supply October 29th, 2001

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform you that I will be sharing my time with the member for Ottawa--Orléans.

The best guarantee of a good quality of life is democracy, as the ravages of current wars demonstrate. What Afghanistan needs, more than short term humanitarian assistance, is a government that will respect human rights and treat women as equals, so that children will grow up happy and healthy.

It is easy for our friends opposite to ask for, and expect, the moon. They know they will never form a majority. The Bloc is asking for a substantial increase in the funds allocated for Canada's humanitarian assistance, particularly in the context of the military intervention in Afghanistan.

Governing is about planning. I believe Canada has an excellent track record in the world. Our country provides assistance through CIDA, the Canadian International Development Agency. This organization is very active and generous with its aid because it is what must be done in terms of ethics, justice and human solidarity.

CIDA's approach is careful, which is good. CIDA's mandate is to support developing countries in reducing poverty and contribute to a safer world, one that is fairer and more prosperous.

As we know, this mandate was the result of broad consultations in 1995. In 1996, CIDA approved a policy on the reduction of poverty aimed at encouraging countries to work on their self-determination rather than dependency.

My question today is this: should we link our foreign aid to our country's long term interests while acknowledging that extreme poverty must be eliminated?

For some years now there has been debate on the question of whether CIDA should concentrate on a limited number of countries. We are all aware of foreign policy pressures and pressure from the opposition for us to distribute our resources widely. The discussion is open. What countries take priority? Today we are told it is Afghanistan.

I think we as a government must ask ourselves this and seek to find an answer, saying that what must be done is to target our international aid so that it will be more efficient and effective.

This is not an easy answer to come up with. In the case of Afghanistan, CIDA has provided $150 million over the past 10 years to help lessen the suffering of refugees and internally displaced persons . These people have been hard hit by 20 years of conflict and 3 years of drought, which have devastated their country.

As a Canadian, I find it extremely painful to see the extent to which the people of that country are downtrodden and destitute.

It took the events of September 11 and the destruction of the twin WTC towers to focus world attention on Afghanistan. Why is that? Because terrorists can hide out there, with the complicity of the reigning Taliban regime.

What we have discovered in Afghanistan since the cameras of the entire world have been focussed on it, is that there is a reign of terror. Women have no rights. They can be beaten or stoned and their suffering is immense. A large percentage of the population is illiterate. I think that must suit the Taliban, as it makes it easier to control the population.

Canada provides Afghanistan with an average of $12 million yearly. These funds go to support numerous NGOs and UN agencies. The breakdown is as follows: CARE, $3 million; World Food Program, $1.7 million; International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and so on. We have a whole list.

The minister responsible for CIDA recently announced a further contribution of $10 million to help deal with the immediate needs of Afghan refugees and displaced populations in the area. This brings to $16 million Canada's contribution for Afghan refugees since September 11, 2001.

I am pleased to learn that Canada spends about $21 million a year in Pakistan and that the objective of the program continues to be the reduction of poverty. For example, we give $12 million through a governance program to promote democracy at the local level and to increase public participation in local affairs. The emphasis is on women's participation.

Humanitarian aid is much more likely to succeed in poor countries if women are involved. CIDA deserves praise for having been doing so for a number of years.

Let us not forget that Canada's wealth is not unlimited. Let us also not forget our own children. Poverty exists in our country too. There are children who go to school on an empty stomach. It was found that serving breakfast in some schools increased attendance by 30%.

Here poverty is more hidden but nevertheless very real. In Laval, on l'île Jésus, which is located in the riding of Laval East, there is a volunteer centre with a very long list of families that need food.

I am thinking of one of my constituents, Louise Beauchamp, the director of the St-Claude soup kitchen in Laval-des-Rapides. She knows about the plight of some residents of Laval.

In Saint-François, which is located in my riding, many seniors would not eat regularly if it were not for the visits of volunteers from the meal on wheels program.

In conclusion, it is true that our government is committed to investing more resources to strengthen democracies, justice and social stability in the world. We also want to reduce poverty and eliminate the debt of poor countries.

For example, we proposed a moratorium on the repayment of the debt of 11 of the 17 most indebted poor countries to allow them to invest in critical areas for their people.

It is not true that we are not taking action. We are. We are doing our best and we must prepare to help the Afghan people give themselves a government that will be representative of the population once the war is over.

I said at the beginning that democracy is the best option for people. Again, Afghanistan needs a government that will respect human rights and treat women as equal persons.

ADISQ Gala October 29th, 2001

Mr. Speaker, last night the ADISQ gala was held, honouring Quebec's top leading recording, performance and video artists.

The gala, hosted by the lively and unpredictable Guy A. Lepage, was an emotion packed evening for audience and artists alike. Singers Garou and Isabelle Boulay each came away with awards in several categories, male and female singer of the year in particular. There was also a very fine tribute to Claude Dubois.

I would also like to extend my congratulations to the Laval symphony orchestra, which received the Album of the year award for its album Mozart in the non-broadcast segment of the gala, which was held on October 22.

These hard-working artists not only entertain us but also express the joys and values of life. As well, they are cultural ambassadors outside of Canada.

We have every reason to congratulate these performers and to encourage them to continue to share their exceptional talents.

Laval Symphony Orchestra October 26th, 2001

Mr. Speaker, this week, as part of its non-broadcast gala, the ADISQ recognized the talent of the Laval symphony orchestra by presenting it the Album of the year award in the classical music/orchestra and large band category.

The winning album “Mozart” includes two major works of the great composer, namely the magnificent “Concerto No. 23”, which is full of light, softness and joie de vivre, and the “Symphony No. 41”, known as “Jupiter”, which is avant-garde and dramatic.

The wonderful rendition of these works by the orchestra earned it the top awards thanks to the internationally renown pianist Alain Lefèvre and the conductor and artistic director of the Laval symphony orchestra, Jean-François Rivest, who was able to channel the talent of his musicians with his usual energy.

This award confirms the enviable position of the Laval symphony orchestra at the national level.

Marc Alexandre Chartrand October 25th, 2001

Mr. Speaker, at this moment, a funeral is taking place in a church in my riding of Laval East for a 17 year old adolescent, another victim of Quebec's biker gangs.

In fact, Marc Alexandre was killed in cold blood on Friday night at the entrance to a downtown Montreal bar. Bikers affiliated with the Rock Machine wanted to enter the bar before everyone else and were refused entry by the doormen. One of the bikers, in a fit of rage, drew his gun and fired. Marc Alexandre was mortally wounded.

There are no words to describe the pain felt by his family as they come to grips with the loss of their loved one. He is another victim of the criminal bikers.

Bill C-24 passed third reading in parliament on June 13. The measures contained in this bill would help eliminate or reduce the number of gratuitous crimes committed by these undesirables in our society. It still requires the approval of the other place.

In closing, on behalf of all my colleagues, I offer my sincere condolences to the Chartrand family.

Gala des prix Excellence October 16th, 2001

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce to the House the name of the person of the year, 2001. He is Normand Legault, the owner of the Montreal Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The award was presented at the Gala des prix Excellence La Presse —Radio-Canada because of the success of the Grand Prix and his involvement in the world of business and in public life in Montreal.

The other winners are Christiane Germain, the chair of Développement Germain-des-Prés; Stanley Vollant, the first Native surgeon in Canada; Marie-Nicole Lemieux, contralto; Chantal Petitclerc, an athlete at the Sydney Paralympics and Freda Miller of the Montreal Neurological Institute.

I want to congratulate these people on their involvement in our society. They are truly inspiring models for Canadians. Congratulations.

Gemini Awards Gala October 1st, 2001

Mr. Speaker, I too wish to pay tribute to the excellence of the Gemini Awards Gala, which I attended yesterday evening in Montreal's Théâtre Saint-Denis.

Many of French Canada's television artists and creators were honoured. The small screen's most popular francophone artists received numerous awards.

It was in 1986 that the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television introduced a category for television and created the Gemini awards. The Geminis honour the excellence of the work done both by those in front of and those behind the camera.

Let us pay tribute to the passion and commitment of the organizers, the artists, the creators and the enthusiastic audience for without them there would be no gala.

On behalf of the entire House, I congratulate the Gemini winners.

Women's World Cup Cycling Race June 4th, 2001

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honour to inform this House of the recent successes of two Quebecers, Geneviève Jeanson, of Lachine, and Lyne Bessette, of Knowlton.

Geneviève Jeanson won the gold medal, Saturday, in the fifth leg of the women's world cup cycling road race in Montreal, and Lyne Bessette, the bronze medal. The race took place on Mount Royal and included the top world cup racing teams.

This is Geneviève's seventh victory this season, and Lyne won for the second time in her career the prestigious Tour de l'Aude less than a week ago.

Please join me in congratulating these two accomplished athletes and thanking them for bringing glory and honour to Canada.