Hélène Alarie

[Tricentennial Of Notre-Dame-De-Foy Parish, October 2nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to join all my fellow citizens in celebrating the 300th anniversary of the parish of Notre-Dame-de-Foy.

Celebrations have been under way since September 4 to commemorate the birth of this parish, founded on September 18, 1698, whose first priest was Charles Amador Martin, son of Abraham Martin, after whom the famous Plains of Abraham were named.

This parish has a rich historical background, including events like the 1760 battle of Sainte-Foy, the construction of a hospital and the arrival of the Sisters of Charity of Quebec and the Brothers of Christian Schools. These valiant pioneers turned a country village into a thriving town to be proud of.

I wish to congratulate the team of organizers and volunteers for the care they have put into recreating the past through many festivities reflecting the profound values passed down from one generation to the next by the pioneers of the now 300-year-old parish of Notre-Dame-de-Foy.

Let us celebrate our past and pay tribute to three centuries of steadfastness.

[Scrapie, September 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is still refusing to provide an accurate picture of the scrapie situation in Canada, namely the number of sheep slaughtered and quarantined, and the amounts paid to farmers.

Can the minister assure us that Quebec sheep farmers are receiving the same treatment from the agency in all aspects as their counterparts are in the other provinces, and is he prepared to produce agency documents to prove this?

[Scrapie, September 29th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, with each passing day, the sheep producers in Quebec become increasingly distressed. They are losing money and hope. Each day's delay brings a pile of worries.

Does the minister intend finally to give them some help and what does he plan to do for all those whose herds have been infected with scrapie since January 1997?

[Scrapie, September 28th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

The massive destruction of sheep to eradicate scrapie is killing Quebec's sheep industry.

If the minister really wants to save this industry, what is he waiting for to stop the massive and useless destruction of sheep and offer the producers affected a financial compensation that is fair, adequate and, above all, retroactive?

[Quebec's Journées De La Culture, September 25th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, bonne journée, have a good day: that is the theme of the second edition of Quebec's Journées de la culture, which will be taking place today, tomorrow and Sunday. Artists, artisans and cultural organizations all over Quebec will be offering their fellow citizens nearly a million activities free of charge.

Last year, 163,000 Quebeckers took advantage of these days to sample the culture of their neighbourhood, their village or their city. This year, people will have the opportunity to watch a play in dress rehearsal, to visit a television studio, to help a composer write and then record a song, or to contribute an article to their local paper. These special days will afford them an opportunity to integrate culture into their everyday lives.

My best wishes for success to all those involved directly or indirectly in the defence and promotion of Quebec culture. May they indeed have a good day.

[Scrapie, September 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, does the minister realize that, if Quebec's best sheep producers are facing such a serious situation, it is because their flocks were infected by animals from the federal experimental farm, in Lennoxville?

[Scrapie, September 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food.

The minister has already ordered the slaughtering of 11,000 sheep in Quebec, in an effort to eliminate scrapie, and it appears that thousands more will be destroyed without any further assessment.

Should the Minister of Agriculture not suspend the slaughtering and assess the situation, along with the producers and the Quebec Minister of Agriculture, before taking any further action?

[Scrapie, September 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

To date, 11,000 sheep have been killed in Quebec to prevent scrapie. According to our information, the minister is preparing to carry on and slaughter thousands more.

Instead of continuing the massacre, should the minister not stop it, examine the whole situation and control the disease more intelligently than by slaughtering entire herds?

[Scrapie, September 22nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Since January 1997, following the preventive slaughter aimed at controlling scrapie in sheep, 11,000 sheep have been slaughtered in Quebec by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. There has been a total lack of information and transparency, and the producers have lost faith in the agency.

Will the minister agree to look at the situation immediately and put an end to the slaughter?

[Scrapie, June 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, 8,000 sheep have been slaughtered in Quebec in an effort to eradicate the sheep disease called scrapie. This measure was taken without a full report from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and for a disease that does not affect human health. Producers are desperate for help.

The industry is still waiting for an answer from the Minister of Agriculture. What does the government intend to do to help the sheep industry, and when will it act?