Christian Jobin

[Davida Woodland, September 24th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce today that the Raffinerie Jean-Gaulin Ultramar of Lévis has purchased the Davida woodland, a parcel of 65.5 hectares, or, if you prefer, 7 million square feet.

This wooded area located opposite the refinery will be made available to the City of Lévis to be transformed into an urban park. The Davida woodland is an ideal green area, with a magnificent forest, and an unmatched view over the Laurentians, the Appalachians and the St. Lawrence River. This woodland, near the river and the Auberivière golf club, is destined to become a unique and well used park.

This acquisition is yet another demonstration of the commitment of the Raffinerie Jean-Gaulin and Ultramar to work with local authorities to improve the quality of life of the area's residents.

The refinery, in partnership with the employees and various local organizations, makes a contribution to the economic and community development of the area.

[International Cooperation, September 22nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister for International Cooperation is currently attending the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. She is also taking part in the Afghanistan Development Forum, where international support to this country is being discussed.

Could the parliamentary secretary to the minister responsible for CIDA tell the House what CIDA is doing to build a better future for the Afghan people?

[Canadian Forces, September 22nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am please to rise in this House today to acknowledge, once again, the quality of our Canadian Forces.

Nearly 2,000 of our soldiers are currently deployed in Afghanistan to fight terrorism and to ensure peace and security. Yesterday in Kabul, they showed that their skills exceed combat excellence.

Canadian paratroopers defused a delicate situation near the Afghan capital by using persuasion and diplomacy.

Locals had threatened to use force against refugees if they did not abandon their camp, which was too close to two of the local community's cemeteries.

Owing to the quality of their training and Canada's reputation around the world, our paratroopers prevented the start of another conflict in a very volatile country.

We are all very proud of our armed forces and grateful for their work.

[The Francophonie, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa and the Francophonie attended the Francophonie ministerial conference on the information society, which was held in Morocco on September 4 and 5.

Will the secretary of state report to the House on the results of this conference?

[Riding of Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, September 16th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to say how proud I am to have been elected the member of Parliament for Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière and to be able to work with all the members of this House.

My riding, Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, is located opposite Quebec City and borders the St. Lawrence Seaway over a distance of 45 kilometres. It is a rapidly developing riding, socially, economically and industrially, and is making great strides with respect to tourism as well.

I would like to remind you that the riding of Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière includes the second largest refinery in Canada, namely Ultramar, and also the Davie shipyard which also has the two largest drydocks in Canada. The shipyard is in difficulty and deserves the help of all parliamentarians in order to permit competition in shipbuilding within Canada.

I thank the House for its attention and for its welcome.

[Riding of Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, September 16th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, it is with some emotion that I rise in the House of Commons today to make my maiden speech.