House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2004, with 41% of the vote.
Asbestos Industry October 22nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of International Trade. Yesterday at the World Trade Organization, the European Union turned down Canada's request to set up a panel to review France's ban on asbestos. Since this industry is of paramount importance, could the minister clarify the situation?
Centres Of Excellence October 19th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, this past October 15, our government announced a $41 million investment over the next four years in three networks of centres of excellence, the Canadian Arthritis Network, the Geomatics for Informed Decisions Network and the Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems Network.
Such an investment will be of particular benefit to Laval University, which houses a sizeable number of researchers in these fields, but it will also have a significant impact on Canada as a whole, through the presence of our top researchers and their partners in the universities, government and the private sectors
We must not forget that Laval and the Quebec City area have played a role of excellence in geomatics for 10 years, and provide support to the network through research infrastructure and a pool of top-notch human resources.
Education Savings Plan October 6th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, on August 26, we learned that the Government of Canada had changed its policy on access to grants for education savings so that more families would become eligible for the new Canadian grant under the program.
From now on, contributions to an education savings plan for young people aged 16 and 17 will mean entitlement to the 20% grant announced in February's budget, if these contributions total at least $2,000 instead of $4,000 before the year of the individual's birthday.
The 20% grant will also be given when the child reaches a total of $100 a year instead of $300 over four years, regardless of which ones, before his 16th birthday.
This announcement made on August 16 by the Minister of Finance enables more lower income families to benefit from the Canada education savings grant.
Internet Network September 30th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, on August 26, the Government of Canada announced its intention to fund the creation of the first national fibre-optic Internet network in the world. This desire to play a lead role in state-of-the-art technology confirms the dynamism of our government and its desire to keep abreast of the rapidly developing Internet market.
Initially, this network, with its absolutely amazing capacity and speed, will serve the Canadian research and high tech sectors. Its amazing capacity will make numerous research, academic and trade applications possible, whose demands are far beyond the capacity of existing networks.
Canada will be the first country in the world to possess a national network that is wholly fibre-optic based. We can be proud of all the men and women who work in this complex high-tech environment, in an expanding field from which all Canadians stand to benefit in the near future.
Gemini Awards Gala September 28th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the Gemini Awards gala took place yesterday evening. It was the 13th edition of a great event that pays tribute to the very best people in television.
People were nominated in a number of categories, and the winners displayed all kinds of emotions ranging from joy and wonder to amazement, as is often the case in such circumstances.
Whether these people work in the field of information, whether they are producers or authors of the best documentaries, or whether they are the best performers, one thing is certain: the Canadian public is lucky to enjoy so much talent and originality.
I congratulate all those who contribute to this truly dynamic industry that television is.
Ultimately, it is Canadians who benefit from the talent and know-how of our authors and performers. We can never overemphasize their important contribution to the Canadian cultural identity.
Bloc Quebecois September 24th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the marriage of the sovereignists and the Reform Party has been a rocky one, to say the least. Despite their vows, the honeymoon does not seem to have lasted very long!
Now the Bloc is linking up with Mike Harris, while the Reform Party is flirting with the likes of former PQ minister Rodrigue Biron.
As well, there is division among the sovereignists on the holding of a referendum. As recently as yesterday, Jacques Parizeau again demonstrated that the Parti Quebecois did not have the courage to be frank with Quebeckers as to whether or not there will be a referendum.
The people of Quebec are nobody's fools; they are calling for practical solutions to their problems and, as always, refuse to swallow any old story the Bloc and the sovereignists try to sell them.
Justice Louis-Philippe Pigeon June 11th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, a rare event is taking place this afternoon in Sainte-Foy, Quebec. The Quebec Minister of Justice will unveil a commemorative plaque to honour a former judge from the Supreme Court of Canada, Louis-Philippe Pigeon.
You will remember that Justice Louis-Philippe Pigeon was a brilliant lawyer and an eminent adviser to Premier Jean Lesage, before being appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada and eventually becoming chief justice.
The building that houses the Quebec Department of Justice will now be called Louis-Philippe Pigeon. Let us hope that this will be a source of inspiration for the current minister and his successors in making decisions.
This is yet more proof that Quebec has a real and full place in Canada.
Reform Party Of Canada June 4th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, last night's attempt in Quebec City to improve relations between Reformers and the people of Quebec was a big public relations fiasco.
We saw the look of disdain on the faces of Reform Party members, which are demanding cuts to funding for associations of francophones outside Quebec.
Can anyone tell me why the Reformers are so resentful of francophones? We have known for a long time that the Reform Party did not look kindly on the groups and associations of francophones outside Quebec, but for them to go from that to cutting their funding is taking things just a bit too far.
Quite frankly, the leader of the Reform Party has a lot of gall to think he might represent the people of Canada. With a speech like that, clearly he will have a hard time making any headway in Quebec and finding his Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine.
I find the Bloc Quebecois' association with them offensive.
Reform Party June 2nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, we should take good note of the last move made by the sovereignists, a sovereignist-Reform strategic alliance or, if you prefer, a Reform-sovereignist alliance.
This is some union, some alliance between a party that advocates Quebec's separation and one that led an anti-Quebec campaign during the last election campaign.
These two parties will now even share the same meeting rooms. However, we still do not know which of the two leaders—the leader of the Reform Party or the leader of the Bloc Quebecois—will succeed in imposing his views on the Quebec situation.
Before the union is made official, let us say, as is the custom “If any man can show just cause why this union cannot be solemnized, let him speak now or forever hold his peace”.
Will Lucien Bouchard rise or will he forever hold his peace?
Asbestos Industry May 28th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, could the Minister of International Trade inform the House of the action plan announced this morning in support of asbestos workers, in light of the fact that France has banned this product?