Guy St-Julien

[Gasoline Pricing, June 5th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the president of the Fédération des travailleurs du Québec, Henri Massé, said last week “The big oil companies are going too far. I am concerned about these increases in the price of gasoline, which are adding to inflation. The problem is of concern to the regions of Quebec”.

I agree with Mr. Massé, but we must approach the problem as a whole with the governments of Canada, Quebec, the provinces and the territories, with the major oil companies and the regional stakeholders in Quebec.

Together, we need to arrange for a two day summit in an effort to find a real solution for consumers.

[Gasoline Pricing, May 31st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the cost of gasoline has jumped by 10 cents. A litre of regular gas is selling for the unheard of price of 84.9 cents in Montreal.

Up to yesterday, retailers had been selling regular gas almost at the floor price established by the Quebec energy board, that is, by the government of Lucien Bouchard.

No retailer wants to sell below floor price, which is dictated by the Government of Quebec and which is the wholesale price plus transportation costs and taxes. Some would have broken the rule. In Montreal, profits usually range between six and seven cents a litre.

Why is the government of Lucien Bouchard maintaining this floor price, when consumers are on the floor.

[The Late Maurice Richard, May 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the people of Abitibi, Baie-James and Nunavik were saddened to learn of the passing of Maurice Richard, the man all hockey fans idolized.

With his passing, Canada has lost a man who left his mark on the history of his sport and who has inspired us all by his likeable personality and his generosity.

Thank you, Maurice.

[Mishtapew Awards Of Excellence Gala, May 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Revenue.

Last night, the Liberal minister from Outremont attended the gala for the Mishtapew awards of excellence held at the Capitole in Quebec City. This was a perfect occasion for celebrating and congratulating the determination of business leaders from a number of Quebec's aboriginal and Inuit communities.

Can the minister let us know what his priorities are for promoting the long term economic development of the aboriginal and Inuit people of Quebec?

[Nisga'A Treaty, May 12th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

In December, the House adopted the Nisga'a treaty. Last month, the treaty was ratified by the Senate. Can the minister tell the House whether the treaty was well received by the Nisga'a and whether they signed the agreement?

[Raglan Mining Company, May 12th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, since its establishment by Falconbridge Inc., the Raglan mining company has contributed to the economic development of two airports, one in Val-d'Or and one in Rouyn-Noranda, in the latter case through its chartered plane, which transports miners to the Raglan mine in Nunavik.

Lucien Bouchard's PQ government has put several million dollars into the construction of Raglan's building at the Rouyn-Noranda airport.

Now, the Government of Quebec and the City of Rouyn-Noranda want to extend the airport's runway by 1,000 feet at a cost of several millions of dollars so that they can stop contributing to the economic development of the Val-d'Or regional airport, which is located a mere 15 minutes away from the Rouyn-Noranda airport.

Once again, Quebec's PQ government, through its regional minister, Rémi Trudel of Rouyn-Noranda, is riding roughshod over the economy of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. It no longer wants the Raglan mining company to contribute to the economy of Val-d'Or.

[Greenhouse Gas, May 11th, 2000]

In Kyoto in 1997 Canada made a commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to below the 1990 level between now and the 2008-2012 time horizon.

Could the Minister of Natural Resources tell us what measures Canadian industry has taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

[Greenhouse Gas, May 11th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources.

Global warming constitutes real threat for the people of Canada, and for their way of living. In Kyoto in 1997, Canada—

[Autobus Auger Inc., May 8th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, since 1992, retired unionized employees of local 512 of the northwest division of Autobus Auger Inc. have been having trouble with their pension plan.

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions has had the file on the claims of retired employees for several months now.

I get the feeling that Investissements Richard Auger of Châteauguay is cooking the books with respect to the financial situation of retired workers for Industrielle Alliance and for William M. Mercer, to the advantage of Autobus Auger Inc.

There is one unacceptable practice in this pension plan. The employer, Autobus Auger, and Investissements Richard Auger did not have certain expenditures of this employee pension plan approved. Where are the surpluses? They should comply with the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985.

[Chrysler Cup, April 13th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, from April 12 to 16, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region will be hosting hockey teams from throughout Quebec as part of the Chrysler Cup tournament.

Some 226 teams will be taking part in these provincial ice hockey championships in 13 cities in the region. The organizing committee chaired by Louis Blanchette from Malartic has put almost two years of work into making this event a success.

My thanks to the organizing team: Louis Blanchette, Robert Meunier, Robert Larochelle, René Boucher, Pascal Pelletier, Régis D'Amour, Jean-Gilles Racicot, Gilles Laperrière, Joël Lacelle, Pierre Dupuis, Marc Moreau, Daniel Asselin, Serge Demers, Laurent Demers, Mariette Brassard, Audinette Gagnon, Jean-Claude Babin and André Lalonde.

My thanks also to the 2,000 volunteers, 4,436 athletes and 932 escorts and visitors. And we thank the Government of Canada for taking part and helping young Quebecers.