Jocelyne Girard-Bujold

[Supply, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I was stunned to hear the speech made by the member opposite.

It is easier to see the mote in one's neighbour's eye than the beam in one's own. I think the member said nothing but lies. I am sorry to have to use that word.

After his government has cut transfers to the provinces by $33 billion since 1993, the member is trying to teach these same provinces a lesson. Enough is enough.

I think the member should look at what his government is doing in the area of health. It took money and put it in its own pocket when it is the provinces, and not the federal government, that are responsible for delivering services to the public. It padded its purse at the expense of the sick and at the expense of the provinces.

I would like the member to say he is sorry and admit that what he just said is nonsense.

[Petitions, June 15th, 2000]

I have two other petitions calling on this House and on parliament to take all necessary action so that Canadians and their representatives are consulted on the principles of importing MOX plutonium.

[Petitions, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table two petitions signed by 588 people who are calling on this House and on parliament to quickly pass legislation making it mandatory to label all foods that are wholly or partially genetically modified.

[Petitions, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a petition containing 118 signatures. As union leaders, these petitioners represent 4,951 workers.

The petition reads as follows “In view of the many job losses in pulp and paper plants, already announced or still to come, the government should be developing financial assistance measures for older workers, such as the POWA program, in order to help these workers leave their jobs so that workers with less seniority can keep working, and job losses can be offset”.

[100Th Birthday Greetings To The Queen Mother, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I seek the unanimous consent of the House to revert to petitions under Routine Proceedings.

[Species At Risk Act, June 13th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague, the member for Rimouski—Mitis, for her very relevant comments.

She has dotted the i s for the government, which persists in utterly invading areas under provincial jurisdiction. All the negative elements that the member for Rimouski—Métis has noted against this government suggest that this government believes it knows everything.

I would like my colleague to give us other examples that prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, as she says, that this bill should be postponed indefinitely.

[Regional Pride Week, June 13th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to draw hon. members' attention to the fact that this is regional pride week in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean. It is an opportunity for all residents of the region to show their attachment to their history and their culture. The regional flag and anthem will hold pride of place in the celebrations.

This will be the last time Paul Lemieux will chair the event. As honorary chairman of regional pride week, he has devoted eight years to its success. I am sure that his departure will leave a big empty space in the organization of the event.

On behalf of all the people of Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean, I wish Mr. Lemieux all the best in his future endeavours. I will take advantage of this opportunity to also pass my best wishes for an excellent regional pride week to all the people of Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean.

[Petitions, June 12th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table in this House a petition signed by 50 people, who are asking the Canadian parliament to take all necessary action so that the public and its representatives are consulted on the import of plutonium based MOX fuel.

[Species At Risk Act, June 12th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Berthier—Montcalm and tell him that he is definitely a visionary. He was bang on target with this. This is exactly what the government wants.

This is the third time that the government is trying to bring forward a bill respecting the protection of wildlife species at risk. It did it first in 1995, then in 1997, and now, in 2000, it is back at it again, although it knows quite well—and the hon. member for Berthier—Montcalm is right—that habitats are under provincial jurisdiction.

Thus, this segment the member heard is blatant intrusion into provincial jurisdiction. The bill ignores that. The Liberals even want to interfere with the habitats of wildlife species at risk, which are recognised as a provincial jurisdiction. There are federal lands, yes, and they are right to deal with those lands. However, they have no business on provincial lands.

I think that my colleague for Berthier—Montcalm is a visionary and that the government is up to something. I regret to have to say it, but I do not know what the government is up to. It is looking for a place to be, an issue to take a stand on, or an attitude to show off. I do not know what it is up to.

I believe all Quebecers and all Canadians think that, after two mandates and three years into their second mandate, the Liberals do not know what to do anymore. They are contemplating an election. We do not know why, because there is no reason for it. They are looking for all kinds of bills that will give them an in with the taxpayers.

Unfortunately, I do not think this is the way to go. This government must learn that the important thing is to ensure that the provinces' areas of jurisdiction are respected and that endangered species are clearly covered by legislation while respecting provincial jurisdiction.

We wish the bill were drafted in such a way. That is why the Bloc Quebecois is supporting the Progressive Conservatives' amendment calling for a six month hoist so that the government may take the time to sit down and think it over, to say to itself “That is right, the thing makes no sense. This is a problem that needs to be addressed, but it must be done co-operatively”. That is not a concept that the Liberals appear to be familiar with. I think that I will write the word co-operatively out for them and explain how it is written and what it means.

[Species At Risk Act, June 12th, 2000]

Madam Speaker, the hon. member for Frontenac—Mégantic, my assistant on the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, is very concerned about the environment. It should be realized that Bill C-33 will create a major confrontation, not only with Quebec, but also with the other provincial governments that have their own legislation.

We must urgently tell this government—and I hope that all members of the House, will do so; at least the members of the Bloc Quebecois will—to go back to the drawing board. It is time the federal government stopped passing laws that interfere in provincial jurisdictions. It is not perfect as the government member and former Quebec Minister of the Environment said. The provincial laws are not perfect, but at least the provinces have the merit of having laws to protect threatened species.

But this government is saying “Move over. We are taking over. What you have already done no longer exists”. Moreover, it is not just the Minister of the Environment who will have such an attitude. All the other ministers will define their priorities, including the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Natural Resources and so on. Enough is enough.

We are again witnessing the government' haugtines. It thinks it knows everything and is above everyone else. Personally, I think the provinces have already taken a big step. It is the federal government that should follow the provinces' lead. This is how, from the Bloc Quebecois' perspective, this government should act with regard to its policy and its legislation.