Claude Duplain

[Agriculture, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, of course there are various reactions to this program. This is a new program that is being developed throughout Canada so that all producers can benefit from all the existing programs.

Certain stakeholders do not like the program. We are making changes. People are asking that the program be delayed. It is important to understand that, next year, producers will be able to benefit from all current programs. We are now developing programs for the future. We have three years in which to do this.

[Agriculture, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, for a year and a half now, the Minister of Agriculture has been working on developing an agriculture policy framework with risk management programs that will provide very effective coverage for farmers. We have consulted all the industry representatives, producers and members of the Standing Committee on Agriculture who asked for amendments, which were noted and even added.

Again I repeat, the Minister of Agriculture is currently in Toronto with his provincial and territorial counterparts to continue examining the policy framework.

[Agriculture, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, some documents became available. In the English version, there was never any mention of this sentence. This sentence was in the French text, and the Minister of Agriculture deleted it immediately.

I can guarantee that this government will never make its assistance to Canadian agriculture a visibility issue.

[Agriculture, January 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for giving me this opportunity to answer my first question as Parliamentary Secretary of the Minister of Agriculture.

It is completely false to say such things. Currently, we are developing a program, a strategic framework. All the stakeholders are participating in discussions. The minister is meeting today in Toronto with the provincial stakeholders to develop a strategic framework, and it is completely false to make such statements.

[Literacy, January 29th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to highlight the participation of Human Resources Development Canada’s National Literacy Secretariat in the implementation of three projects in the very beautiful riding of Charlevoix.

In Baie-Saint-Paul, the Charlevoix literacy training service will receive $20,000 to develop an information kit on social intervention for staff who work with students who suffer from psychosocial problems.

In Forestville, Plaisir de lire will receive $18,000 to launch a literacy awareness campaign on the North Shore.

In Baie-Comeau, the Maison Alpha ABC Côte-Nord will receive $9,518 to prepare audio report cards for parents who are functionally illiterate.

These three examples demonstrate the determination of the Government of Canada to give all our fellow citizens the tools to full realize their abilities.

[Cadets, December 13th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw the attention of the House to the presence of the Donnacona Air Cadet Squadron, from my riding, and the Lanark Sea Cadet Squadron.

These 100 young people are here as part of an interprovincial exchange, to meet, take part in activities, share their experiences and develop lasting friendships. Discipline, team spirit, leadership, and mutual aid are the values that the Canadian cadet movement promotes for our youth.

I would like to welcome the cadets to the national capital and congratulate them on their drive and involvement.

Merry Christmas to all.

[Francophonie, December 9th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it happened in Bamako in the fall of 2000. At the time, Canada had agreed to a resolution intended to spearhead a political initiative to introduce democracy, human rights and good governance to member states of the Francophonie.

Given the situation in numerous countries of the Francophonie, could the Secretary of State for the Francophonie tell us, two years after this agreement was ratified, what concrete actions have come out of Bamako?

[École de médecine vétérinaire de Saint-Hyacinthe, November 27th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to increase the awareness of my peers in the House of Commons and the Canadian government regarding the situation of the École de médecine vétérinaire de Saint-Hyacinthe.

As was said so well by my colleague, the hon. member for Shefford, who has been closely involved in this issue and works with the stakeholders and key players, there is a significant lack of funding which could compromise this college's ability to maintain its accreditation.

The deadline for maintaining the accreditation is coming in December and the department still has not received any funding. Because this deadline is fast approaching, it is essential that support be provided to our veterinary colleges in Canada and Quebec, if we want to protect the health of domestic and other animals in Canada.

[Agricultural Cooperatives, November 19th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, today and tomorrow, representatives of Canadian agricultural cooperatives will be here to submit to members of Parliament and other stakeholders their plans for funding and capitalization.

There are cooperatives in western Canada, Ontario, the Maritimes and Quebec, representing in all thousands of members, and thus having a finger on the agricultural pulse.

In Quebec alone, there are 37,000 members. They rank seventh in Quebec in job generation, generating 14,700 jobs. As well, they generate $4 billion of business, ranking them fourth in Quebec. Last year alone, they created 700 more jobs. The cooperatives deserve to be listened to in their search for funding and capitalization, as it will involve investments in excess of $1 billion and will create thousands of jobs, without any direct cost to government.

I invite my colleagues to support them in their endeavours.

[Marriage, November 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice. In July and September of this year, the courts in two provinces, Quebec and Ontario, found that the opposite-sex definition of marriage is unconstitutional. Both gave the government two years to deal with this issue.

If Parliament fails to act, marriage will automatically be modified in these two provinces.

What is the government doing about this?