Claude Drouin

[Petitions, March 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present two petitions to the House.

The first one, which was circulated in the riding of Beauce, is from Claude Gilbert and concerns Bill C-68.

[Canadian Economy, March 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, last week, the Bank of Canada said that the Canadian economy had performed better than expected in 1998.

Yesterday, Statistics Canada said that Canada's GDP had gone up by 1.1% in the fourth quarter of 1998.

Such results are not mere chance. The good news delivered in the last federal budget and the good news delivered by Statistics Canada reflect the good economic and financial management of the country.

This is an encouraging sign from the economic sector that sends a message to sovereignists to quit pushing so hard for Quebec's separation from the rest of Canada.

The sovereignists' message undercuts the efforts of those doing everything they can to keep the country together and encourage investors and consumers to continue working for the betterment of this wonderful country called Canada.

[The Budget, March 2nd, 1999]

Yes, but we get 29% of Canadian transfer payments, although we account for 24% of the population. What do the hon. members across the way have to reply to that? Let them stop shouting and try to find some solutions to the problems, instead of always blaming someone else and never taking a look at themselves in the mirror.

[The Budget, March 2nd, 1999]

I wonder why there is shouting from the other side. We listened to them; let them listen to us. Let them show us some respect. When it is said that Quebec receives $960 per capita in transfer payments, whereas Ontario receives $836, is this equitable? No.

In 1990, the previous government asked the three richest provinces to accept a two-year freeze on transfer payments so as to give the other provinces, including Quebec, a chance to get through the recession. That is now past. The governments were notified that there would be a return to equity as far as transfers were concerned.

Mr. Bouchard, then a minister in the Conservative government, had said that this was necessary. Now he claims to have never heard of such a thing. Odd, since he was there. As for equalization payments and the unexpected $1.4 billion cheque given to Quebec, which could give it the possibility of eliminating its deficit, there is no mention of that.

[The Budget, March 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I missed the start of the hon. member's speech, because I was held up in committee. What I did hear, however, sounded absurd, and I wonder how he could say such things here in the House.

If the hon. member for Lotbinière absolutely must work for separation, let him go to Quebec to do it, let him run provincially. Here we are working for Canada, working in the interests of Quebeckers and of all Canadians. That is what the House of Commons is for, and there is nothing shameful about receiving a salary from the Government of Canada.

But when reference is made to equalization payments, the social transfer, Ontario ministers, I would also point out to the hon. member for Lotbinière that Stéphane Dion is, to the best of my knowledge, a Quebec MP who is working very hard in the interests of Quebeckers and Canadians, for one can do both these things.

If he claims that the amounts allocated to Ontario, British Columbia or Alberta as transfer payments are unfair, then let him do the calculations.

[Tax Relief, February 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government cut taxes in each of its previous budgets and, in 1999, we are starting to extend these cuts to the general population.

Our goal is clear: to provide tax relief to those who need it most, targeted tax relief, particularly in the area of personal income tax.

The 1999 budget provides for a $7.7 billion cumulative tax reduction over three fiscal years, which will benefit each and every taxpayer in Canada, especially low and middle income earners.

The budget also provides for the elimination of the 3% surtax, as well as $300 million in additional transfers for the child tax benefit, which will help low and middle income families.

That was a brief overview of the measures contained in this budget to improve the quality of life of Canadians.

[Soirée Des Masques, February 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the fifth Soirée des Masques, a major theater event in Quebec, was held last weekend.

Congratulations to all the nominees and especially to the winners.

Quebec theater is alive and well indeed. Last week, the 50th anniversary of the Rideau Vert theater clearly indicated that our cultural identity as Quebeckers and francophones is not an abstraction but an art that is widely shared and recognized.

This important cultural event was an opportunity to discover or rediscover our local talent, in productions like 15 secondes , La Décadente and Le Diable à quatre .

Congratulations to all the winners, actors and creators alike, without whom there simply would not be a Quebec theater.

[Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, February 8th, 1999]

Ontario.

[Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, February 8th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The member for Saint-Hyacinthe calls me a clown while he stands there and quotes wrong figures. I would like to know which of us is the real clown, and I wish remarks like these were not allowed to be made in this House.

[Economic Development, February 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, on January 13, 1998, the Canadian government announced that, over the next five years, $7.6 million will be invested in eastern Quebec to promote the development of tourism until the year 2004.

This government assistance plan is designed to support local and regional initiatives with a significant impact on the economy in eastern Quebec.

This is the fourth in a series of strategic initiatives for eastern Quebec, estimated at slightly over $22 million, put forward by the Canadian government.

Our government is clearly involved in economic development, and this is the best proof of its involvement.