House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2004, with 41% of the vote.
Fisheries May 7th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, at the same time that decisions had to be made in collaboration with our colleague, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, we announced short-term measures of $14 million for Quebec to assist people earning their living from the fisheries, and we immediately took steps to consult the public about long-term measures.
I can assure the House that we on this side are working very hard to support those in difficulty at this time, and we will be there for them.
Chambord Plant April 3rd, 2003
Mr. Speaker, from the outset, we told producers and processors that we would be there for them and that we were prepared to cover the costs of a study. This offer still stands. Our regional office is following this file very closely, and we will be monitoring the situation and applications by promoters. I can assure the House that Canada Economic Development will continue its work in that region, as in every other region of Quebec.
Regional Economic Development January 28th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, like my colleague, I am saddened by the recent bad news, which along with the news from last fall has devastated the town and the area.
We have already initiated a process with socio-economic leaders to assist in diversification. I can assure the House that we will speed up the process to work toward finding solutions for the area.
Agropur Plant in Chambord December 6th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, when I met with the people from the plant in Chambord last Monday, along with our candidate, Gilbert Tremblay, who is doing an excellent job in supporting people, we indicated that we were prepared to work together with them on a feasibility study.
However, the hon. member should understand that we need to see the plans before we can determine how much money will be granted.
We assured them we would work in cooperation with them, and that is what we will do.
Economic Development December 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his excellent question.
On Monday, I met with the employees of the Agropur plant, and with stakeholders from the region's dairy industry. At that time, I confirmed that the Economic Development Agency of Canada would help them with their recovery project for the processing plant, and I assured them of our financial participation in a study to determine the best options to promote the plant's recovery.
We on this side of the House are looking for solutions, not people to blame, as the other side is doing.
Regional Economic Development November 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, first, it would have been nice if the Government of Quebec had invited the federal government to its regional summit, given that we too care about regional development.
You can be sure that since 1985, we have already contributed to regional development by way of the CFDCs, the CDECs, and the Business Development Centres, and we will continue to do so.
I can see that Quebec is basing its approach on what we at the federal level have done.
Agropur Plant in Chambord November 8th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I am taking this opportunity to congratulate our colleague, the hon. member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, who worked very hard to ensure the completion of highway 175, with the help of the Canadian government.
Decisions are not made by the opposition, but by the government. It is we who showed that we cared about highway 175 and the development of the region.
This is what we will do with workers from the Agropur plant when the meeting with them and Agropur takes place to decide what will happen next. We will support these people in their decisions, along with the stakeholders and the Economic Development Agency.
Agropur Plant in Chambord November 8th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, as I said this week in the House, meetings were held with the Economic Development Agency, on November 4 and 5. We are working with stakeholders. I would appreciate it if, instead of looking for someone to put the blame on, the Bloc Quebecois member would work with local people to find solutions to help the region. This is how we should work and this is what we are committed to doing on this side of the House.
Agropur Plant in Chambord November 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, if promoters put a new project on the table, we will look at it, as I just told the House, within our program, with a view to supporting them.
Agropur Plant in Chambord November 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, two meetings have taken place already, and Canada Economic Development will, as usual, follow this issue closely and do everything in its power, within its program, to support the region.