Claude Drouin

[Supply, February 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, everything I have heard from the other side since this morning is absolutely appalling.

It has been said that the federal government is cutting left, right and centre. I would like to point out to my colleagues opposite that the major cuts were made here in Ottawa. The provinces were asked, two years in advance, to put their house in order. The only thing the Quebec government came up with was to cut municipal budgets even more than we cut its transfer payments, with about 4 months' notice.

The Quebec government decided to do a major cleanup in health care in three years. Nobody asked the Quebec government to cut the health care budget to eliminate the deficit and to try to bring about a winning referendum in the year 2000 on the backs of the people. Now they point the finger at the Government of Canada. They should be ashamed.

We eliminated the $42 billion deficit in five years. We can now start to think about lowering taxes for low income earners. We improved the system but we are still being blamed for everything. They should take a look in the mirror. It is really appalling to hear things like that today.

When we talk about the millennium scholarship fund, do we say that we will be asking teachers to teach more English than French or do we pretend that two plus two will now equal five? No. What we say is that we want to help talented young Canadians to keep on studying, even if their parents do not have the financial means to help them. We want to set up a scholarship program in concert with governments. It will be up to them to choose the recipients.

With a little bit of planing and co-operation, there should be no problem. The reason our visibility is resented is that people who want to separate do not want to reveal what the Government of Canada is doing for Quebeckers.

When we hear that $29 billion in taxes is sent to Ottawa, nobody mentions that $42 billion also comes from Ottawa. People should know that.

Let us talk about equalization: $4.7 billion is sent back to Quebec. Quebec receives 47 per cent of Canada's total equalization payments. The members opposite do not talk about that. They just talk about the bad things. If they want to be honest, they must tell both sides of the story. Quebeckers must know the truth.

What would the member do things? How would he improve health care? In Quebec City, nurses are laid off and then rehired with severance pay. Talk about good management!

The member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot should explain the solutions he is advocating. All he does is criticize. He never has a solution to suggest. He should suggest something.

[Fisheries, February 3rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, at the end of the last session, the Liberal government announced that crabbers in the estuary and shrimpers in the Gulf of St. Lawrence had co-management agreements with Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

For the crabbers, this five-year agreement, is based on resource conservation and the financial viability of fishers, among other things.

In the case of the shrimpers, the agreement is in effect until 2002 and applies to all fishers in eastern Canada. It is based on the same principles of resource conservation and management.

The Government of Canada has taken a major step. It worked actively with fishers to resolve the complex and essential issue of the renewal of fish stocks, and especially of preserving and improving the quality of life of those whose work is linked to fishing.

[Economic Development, February 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, on January 13, the Quebec City region received very good news for its economy.

Indeed, the Canadian government, through the Export Development Corporation, agreed to join Investissement Québec in funding the construction of the Spirit of Columbus platform in the Lévis shipyard.

Now that funding has been secured for the platform, anything is possible. The Government of Canada was involved in the search for viable solutions, which open up interesting perspectives for the future.

The Bloc Quebecois had accused the Liberal government of not abiding by its promises in this respect. Once again, they have been proven wrong. The government did deliver on its promises to the workers of this shipyard. The funding granted will have a positive impact and boost the economy in the Quebec City and Chaudière—Appalaches region.

This is further proof of the Canadian government's vigourous involvement in this country's economic development.

[Plane Crash At Pointe-Lebel, December 8th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday morning, a little after 11, there was a terrible plane crash at Pointe-Lebel, near Baie-Comeau. Seven people lost their lives and another three were injured. All were from the North Shore.

I congratulate the rescue teams that were able to save the three. However, this is a most regrettable accident, which has plunged many family members and friends into mourning.

To the survivors we wish a speedy recovery and a prompt return to their families.

We pray for the victims, the injured and their families.

[Election Campaign In Quebec, November 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, November 30, Quebeckers will make a crucial decision concerning the future of Canada.

A vote for the PQ is nothing less than a vote to trigger the process of Quebec's separation from the rest of Canada.

A vote for the ADQ is simply a lost vote. A vote for the Liberal Party is a vote for health, education and economic growth.

On November 30, let us not take any chances, because we prefer by far a Liberal government that will ensure Quebec's economic growth by, among other things, restoring confidence among foreign investors who contribute to that growth.

On November 30, I will vote Liberal because I believe in my country. I believe in a strong Quebec for our children and our grandchildren. Let us pass on to them a country with the world's best quality of life, Canada. Let us vote Liberal.

[Quebec Election Campaign, November 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on November 30, a Liberal government led by Jean Charest will work to renew Canadian federalism. On November 30, a Liberal government would be a credible spokesperson on social union. On November 30, a Liberal government would create better conditions to put Quebec on the path to prosperity and economic growth again by removing the constant threat of a referendum and building confidence in this province.

On November 30, I will be voting Liberal because I believe Quebec should take its proper place within Canada, and the only party that can achieve this is the Quebec Liberal Party. On November 30, the people of Quebec should finally choose a real government capable of speaking on their behalf and acting in their interest. Quebeckers must give the Liberal Party the mandate to run the province for the next few years.

[Quebec Election Campaign, November 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, on November 30, Quebeckers will make an important decision for the future of Quebec.

They will have to choose between a Liberal government whose priority is economic growth and another government that wants to hold a referendum, whatever the cost.

They will have to choose between a Liberal government that wants to improve the Canadian federation and another government that wants to continue its endless battle with the federal government, to the detriment of Quebeckers.

They will have to choose between a Liberal government that is working for Quebec's interests and another government that is focussing its time and energy on Quebec's separation from Canada.

This is the choice that Quebec will have to make on November 30. My mind is made up. I will be voting Liberal and I urge all Quebeckers to do the same, for a strong Quebec in a united Canada.

[Election Campaign In Quebec, November 18th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, Lucien Bouchard finally showed his true colours last night. He did not hesitate one second in announcing that, in a coming PQ mandate, the Government of Quebec would do everything possible to hold another referendum on Quebec independence.

If the PQ received another mandate, the separatists would again set to work to convince the people of Quebec that separation is the way to go, and they are prepared to use any means to achieve it.

The problem is that the people of Quebec do not want this referendum. In order to fend off this threat, the people of Quebec should give a majority vote to the Liberal Party so that attention can finally be focussed on the real priorities, which are health, education and employment.

[Forest Industry, November 4th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, during last January's ice storm, 30,000 woodlot owners in Quebec sustained heavy losses.

Yesterday, the president of the Fédération des producteurs de bois du Québec, Jean-Claude Nadeau, asked the governments of Canada and Quebec to come to an agreement as soon as possible on a joint program to help these people, with each level of government providing 50% of the funding.

Is the government prepared to provide adequate assistance to affected producers, as it managed to do for small businesses and farm producers in Quebec?

[Gala De L'Adisq, November 2nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, allow me to join with all Canadians in heartily congratulating all of Quebec's artists who participated in yesterday's 20th anniversary gala for the Association du disque et de l'industrie du spectacle québécois.

All this talent on a single stage speaks eloquently of the excellence of their work. The prizes awarded these artists is undeniable proof of the public's appreciation.

Congratulations to Kevin Parent and Bruno Pelletier, who each won three Félix awards.

Congratulations to the groups Dubmatique and Lili Fatale, fine representatives of the next generation of musicians in Quebec.

Congratulations as well to renowned performers Linda Lemay, Lara Fabian and, of course, Céline Dion, who hosted the evening with panache.

And congratulations to all the others who, for lack of time, I cannot name.

Canada may rightly be proud of these musical talents and the recognition they are given by their fellow citizens and by audiences worldwide.