Lost her last election, in 2004, with 6% of the vote.
Regional Economic Development November 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, during the Rendez-vous national des régions, which took place in Quebec City last week, the participants recognized the importance of regional investment funds for the economic development of regions and the Government of Quebec announced its intention to contribute to such funds.
Will the Government of Canada follow the Government of Quebec's lead and commit to financing the regional investment fund for the Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean?
Agropur Plant in Chambord November 8th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I do not need to take any lessons from the secretary of state. I have always looked after my region. This is why we had highway 175 in the Parc des Laurentides.
The last time the secretary of state tried to apply regular programs to an emergency situation, the result was catastrophic.
Does the secretary of state realize that much more than regular programs will be required to save the Chambord plant and prevent its dismantlement?
Agropur Plant in Chambord November 8th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the answer given by the Secretary of State responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec did not meet the expectations of the people of Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean. They want to keep their plant and they want to continue processing their products locally. An exceptional situation like this one requires an exceptional solution.
Does the secretary of state realize that existing programs are unacceptable and inapplicable to an emergency situation?
Citizenship of Canada Act November 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague from Rosemont—Petite-Patrie for providing us with the background to this bill that amends legislation dating back to 1977. He also told us about the irritants that the Bloc Quebecois feels must be removed to improve this bill.
I would also like to hear my colleague talk to us about the legal process that has been put in place, which will make it possible to deport certain immigrants to their country of origin, without the right to a fair trial and without the right to appeal. The day after this bill was introduced, the French-language media told us that there were some irritants in this regard.
I would like to have the comments of my colleague about the problems that are in this bill.
Citizenship of Canada Act November 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to take part in this very instructive debate today.
The parliamentary secretary forgot to refer to November 6, 1998. At the time, ministers Rochon and Boisclair sent a letter to the then Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, in which they mentioned the problems generated at the time by Bill C-63 on the reform of the Citizenship Act.
The Quebec ministers stated that this bill raised various problems in Quebec, particularly with respect to the connection with and the specifics of our civil code, to the health care issue and to the additional costs that might be incurred as a result. The ministers referred, among other things, to the issue of adoption.
As for us, we are not at all opposed to the adoption process. We are simply saying that there is a problem with our civil code regarding immigration and international adoption of children. This is what we are saying to the parliamentary secretary. We want this bill to take this specificity into consideration.
Agropur Plant in Chambord November 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, given that it is important that he react quickly if and when a recovery project is submitted to him, could the minister responsible undertake to proceed swiftly and to provide financial assistance in order to preserve the concept of local processing, which is being jeopardized by the plant closure in Chambord?
Agropur Plant in Chambord November 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, everyone in the region of Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean is outraged about Agropur buying the plant in Chambord only to close it down and have the milk produced locally shipped to its plant in Granby.
Will the minister responsible for the Canada Economic Development Agency for the Regions of Quebec make a commitment to the people of Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean that the federal government will do everything in its power to support any initiative to get this business going again?
Normand Desbiens October 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Normand Desbiens, who teaches physics at the Cégep de Jonquière, on receiving the Prix du bénévolat en loisir et en sport Dollard-Morin.
Given annually by the Government of Quebec, this award recognizes the contribution made by volunteers to the organization and development of recreation and amateur sport in Quebec.
Since 1989, Mr. Desbiens has been a member of Expo-sciences régionale. He has been a member of the Conseil du loisir scientifique du Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean since 1991. He was also the founder of the “Science on tourne” project. The Dollard-Morin award therefore recognizes all of the work done by this popular teacher for the past 15 years.
The Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean has always distinguished itself in every field, and the honour bestowed upon Normand Desbiens is further proof of this.
Congratulations to Mr. Desbiens.
Highway Infrastructure October 22nd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, on August 22, the federal government finally responded to Quebec's offer to cover half the cost of making highway 175 in the Laurentides park into a divided four-lane highway.
The entire region of Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean believed firmly in this project. Our pride and our persistence has borne fruit and we can now say “mission accomplished”.
I thank my constituents from the bottom of my heart for sending thousands of postcards to the Prime Minister, for giving me the strength to rise 38 times here in the House to speak to the issue, and for having allowed me to make highway 175 a national issue. I also thank the regional stakeholders, who all believed in the project.
The riding of Jonquière and the entire surrounding region will benefit. We can finally be proud of highway 175, because it is our tax dollars that will be put to work.
Softwood Lumber October 11th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, in committee, we asked that legal opinions be produced. They never did produce any. Why? Because they never looked into the matter.
Will the Minister for International Trade admit that, had his department looked into it, it would have realized that adjustments could be made to existing programs?