House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 47% of the vote.
Point Of Order February 22nd, 2000
Mr. Speaker, following the introduction by the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs of a bill denying the fundamental rights of Quebecers, I ask for unanimous consent to table a document for the information of the House.
The document is an article published in Le Soleil on November 29, entitled “Chrétien Haggling”.
Petitions February 18th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I too would like to present a petition from people of the Mauricie region, in the ridings of Champlain, Saint-Maurice, the Prime Minister' riding, and Trois-Rivières.
This petition was signed by about 700 citizens who call on parliament to quickly pass legislation to make it mandatory to label all foods that are totally or partially genetically modified.
Points Of Order February 18th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of this debate, I would like to table an article which was published in Le Devoir on December 4, about six weeks ago, and is still as pertinent today.
This article was entitled “Quebecers do not want Ottawa to interfere”. Let me read the first paragraph of this excellent article: “If Ottawa proceeds with a bill on the Quebec referendum, the people from Quebec will not accept it, says premier Bouchard, who is also asking the Canadian Prime Minister to calm down. Before heading off for the capital city of Quebec earlier today, Mr. Bouchard said that his federal colleague is always looking for support, but mainly in English Canada.”
I think all this is pertinent. It is at the heart of the debate. I request the unanimous consent of the House to table this document that could certainly serve as food for thought for our colleagues opposite. It is just one more attempt by the Prime Minister, through his gofer, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, to play petty politics on the backs of the people of Quebec, always on the backs of the people of Quebec, we will never repeat it often enough.
This article is thus still very pertinent. Mr. Speaker, I urge you to use all your wisdom and try to control all those people, because we are obviously changing the rules of the game without any mandate to do so.
Points Of Order February 10th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, following the introduction by the ineffable Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs of a bill denying Quebecers their fundamental rights, I ask the unanimous consent of the House to table a document that could enlighten the House.
It is an article from La Presse , published on December 24 and entitled “Quebec's reply to Chrétien”.
Point Of Order February 7th, 2000
Mr. Speaker, I ask for the unanimous consent of the House to table a document that is most pertinent these days: a study published by the Library of Parliament on the fundamental rights of Canadians and Quebecers and entitled “Electoral Rights: Charter of Rights and Freedoms”. Surely this is something that could be useful.
Points Of Order December 15th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, further to the introduction of this bill whose purpose is to deny the Quebec people their fundamental rights, I ask for the unanimous consent of the House to table a document that will enlighten the House.
It is an ad by the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal recently published in major dailies in Quebec and entitled “Shame on Ottawa”.
Points Of Order December 14th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a research paper published by the Library of Parliament on the issue of fundamental rights of Canadians and Quebecers. This study, prepared in 1990 and revised in 1995, is entitled Electoral Rights: Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Many members of the government would certainly need to reread such document in order to remind themselves of the fundamental rights that exist in Canada.
Committees Of The House December 13th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to ask a question of my colleague.
The Prime Minister is using as an example the changes promised in 1980 by Pierre Trudeau, who put his head on the chopping block to make changes, implying that they would be favourable to the Quebec people. In Verdun, the member for Saint-Maurice was again speaking of change, again implying that they would be favourable to the Quebec people. Is my colleague satisfied with the Prime Minister's response?
He is saying “Yes, we have made some changes, we have introduced the concept of the distinct society”. I would like to have the opinion of my colleague from Beauport—Montmorency—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île-d'Orléans as to whether he finds this intellectually satisfactory?
Points Of Order December 13th, 1999
Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, I ask for the unanimous consent of the House to table a document that should enlighten the minister and all the hon. members. It is the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, the basis of democracy and equality in Quebec.
Claude Masson November 1st, 1999
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Claude Masson of the daily La Presse and his wife Jeannine Bourdages lost their lives in a tragic air crash. With his passing, the Quebec media has lost of one its leading figures.
Mr. Masson was born at L'Épiphanie in 1941, and began his career with the weekly newspapers of Montreal's Rosemont district. A high-profile journalist with La Presse from 1965 to 1974, he then moved to Quebec City's Le Soleil , where he was news chief and subsequently editor in chief.
In 1984, Mr. Masson was appointed president and publisher of the Nouvelliste in Trois-Rivières, the readership of which then expanded dramatically. He returned to La Presse as its vice-president in 1988.
In the eyes of his colleagues, Mr. Masson was a man of remarkable professional and human qualities. He was a journalist of integrity and an involved citizen. I personally have had several opportunities, one of them recently, to appreciate the pleasant manner this sincere and likeable man had with people. His passing will be felt far beyond the media world.
On behalf of the Bloc Quebecois, I offer deepest condolences to his family and friends.