Marcel Gagnon

[Supply Management, February 18th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister for International Trade has always maintained that the agricultural supply management system would be protected during WTO negotiations. Yet the gradual phasing out of marketing agencies is on the WTO's negotiating agenda.

How can the Minister for International Trade explain that, despite his assurances to us in the past, supply management is nevertheless on the WTO's negotiating agenda?

[Les Voix Magiques, February 11th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the magnificent town of La Tuque, located in northern Mauricie on the bank of the Saint-Maurice River, may seem isolated but it certainly is not. This town, surrounded by lakes and mountains, fields and forests has a population that is known for its energy and its many talents.

This corner of the world, birthplace of the renowned Quebecois poet, Félix Leclerc, continues to distinguish itself. A good example is the Voix Magiques troop and its musical comedy Sur les ailes d'un rêve , which is enjoying major success everywhere it tours.

I would like to congratulate Sylvie Loiselle, the troop's artistic and musical director and all the artists involved in this highly successful production. And of course I must mention the patron of honour, Gaston Fortin, mayor of La Tuque, who must be very proud of his town.

Bravo to all. Keep the tradition of your fine talents alive for all of us to discover.

[Specific Claims Resolution Act, February 7th, 2003]

It will take 141 years to settle them.

[Agriculture, February 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec has sound financial tools developed as part of a complete overhaul of its stabilization insurance programs.

Will the minister finally inderstand that it is out of the question that our excellent programs in Quebec be jeopardized to accommodate the federal government's visibility objectives?

[Agriculture, February 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday our committee heard evidence from senior officials at Agriculture Canada to the effect that Quebec had three years to adjust downward to match the federal department's program, penalizing those farmers, and Quebec, which are ahead in terms of stabilization insurance.

How can the minister justify an approach that sets farmers back and denies Quebec's agricultural specificity?

[Agriculture, February 6th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Agriculture is brushing aside objections by the farmers' unions and the provincial ministers.

Is it not time for the Prime Minister to step in to avoid having the farmers pay for the intransigence of this minister, who no longer seems to care about the interests of farmers?

[Agriculture, February 6th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the discussions on the agriculture policy framework have stalled. The minister decided to throw his weight around. Farmers are worried and do not like it that what they had negotiated with the Quebec government is being called into question.

Will the Minister of Agriculture listen to all the stakeholders in Quebec and agree to channel the financial mechanisms he is proposing through the Financière agricole du Québec, yes or no?

[Human Resources Development, February 5th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, thanks to the obstinacy of the Minister of Human Resources Development, seniors who have been deprived of the Guaranteed Income Supplement have had to go to court to get their entitlement recognized.

Now that the judge has examined this case, does the minister plan to revisit her decision and allow full retroactivity to the seniors who have been treated so shabbily by her department?

[Agriculture, January 30th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, all agricultural stakeholders in Quebec recognize the key role of the Financière agricole du Québec. Only the federal Minister of Agriculture is ignoring this reality.

Why does the minister want to destroy a perfectly good system that everyone in Quebec is happy with?

[Agriculture, January 30th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, in the negotiations for the agricultural policy framework agreement, the Minister of Agriculture is trying to impose a single model for all the provinces. Faced with opposition from some of the provinces, including Quebec, the minister is even threatening to cut their funding; this could cost Quebec farmers roughly $100 million a year.

Will the minister admit that an agricultural policy that does not take into consideration the reality of the provinces is doomed to failure?