House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was quebec.

Last in Parliament October 2000, as Liberal MP for Hull—Aylmer (Québec)

Won his last election, in 1997, with 54% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Regional Development October 28th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, we are the ones who have just put in place a system to reduce duplication and overlap. We already have eight provinces on board. Unfortunately, Quebec did not see fit to join us in reducing duplication and overlap.

In the case in point, the information we will be providing small business is information on federal programs, including international marketing insights that can only be gained through the federal government. That is why we plan to use these 13 existing offices to provide extra services to businesses.

Regional Development October 28th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, the federal government is always prepared to co-operate with any province, including Quebec, on any issue in which we have common interests.

In the case in point, the Federal Office of Regional Development already has 13 offices in Quebec; they have been there for over 20 years. No new office is being established. These offices already exist. What the minister responsible for the FORDQ did announce was the provision of an additional service to small- and medium-sized businesses, to improve operations through centralization of information on federal programs in existing offices of the FORDQ.

Collège Militaire Royal De Saint-Jean October 26th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, we certainly intend to stand by our commitments, and I hope the Government of Quebec intends to do the same.

The uncertainty is not caused by our attitude, because we continue to abide by the terms of the agreement we concluded. However, if those terms are not implemented, the one to blame for the uncertainty in the Saint-Jean region and for preventing the Collège de Saint-Jean from continuing operations in its new context will be the government that refuses to negotiate the details of the agreement.

Collège Militaire Royal De Saint-Jean October 26th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, we have an agreement on the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean which was concluded between the previous government and our government. The agreement clearly sets out the civilian status of the Collège de Saint-Jean and is in the best interest of both governments and of the people of Saint-Jean.

The federal government has no intention of backtracking on the basic terms of the agreement as signed. What has not been determined is the implementation procedures. I will be sitting down very shortly with my Quebec counterpart to settle these final details which will implement the principles on which we have already agreed.

Museum Of Nature October 26th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, first, there is clearly no conflict of interest because I have no pecuniary interest in the museum. Second, the decision to locate in Aylmer was taken by the Treasury Board in 1990.

The recent decision to permit the Museum of Nature to acquire more land and build up its own facilities was made. I am a member of Treasury Board and all members of Treasury Board know that my riding is Hull-Aylmer. If it had been placed on this side of the river, since all 12 ridings are occupied by Liberal members there is no doubt it would have been in the riding of a Liberal member.

There is no conflict of interest. There is no problem of impropriety. The Museum of Nature made the decision on its own. It was approved by Treasury Board. It was all done in an open and proper manner.

Museum Of Nature October 26th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, nice try but no cigar.

The decision to use property in Aylmer to meet the accommodation needs of the Canadian Museum of Nature dates back to 1990 when the Treasury Board approved the purchase of the property on Pink Road in Aylmer by the Department of Public Works and Government Services for use by the museum.

Public Service October 24th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, the program review itself is not an input into the social policy review. It is a parallel path.

The member is confusing this with the agency review which so far has permitted us to abolish 21 agencies and more than 275 GIC appointments with the program review which is part of the budgetary process. The budget happens once a year. When one starts reviewing programs for the next budget, obviously one does it right after the previous budget and it is going to last a year.

The member will have to wait until the budget of the Minister of Finance to know the conclusion.

Public Service October 24th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, the program review is not something for tabling.

The member should have checked what I said at the recent press conference where I indicated exactly what it is. The program review is a series of reviews by a cabinet committee that will make recommendations that will fit into the budgetary process. The program review at present has not yet come to conclusions but we are working to be able to make them within the next few weeks to the Minister of Finance.

Intergovernmental Affairs October 18th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, we reached an agreement with the Quebec government. It is dated July 19. It is signed by Mr. Chagnon, the then education minister, by myself and by Daniel Johnson.

This general agreement is still in force. This agreement benefits people in the area by keeping the Collège de Saint-Jean open with a military presence and students coming from the Quebec education system. It would be a great pity if the Quebec government were to indicate now that it does not want to abide by the terms of the general agreement, but I do hope that it will not do so.

Some matters were still to be settled, such as the list of equipment the federal government was to hand over to the provincial government. Obviously, these are still open to discussion. But as far as the agreement is concerned, it is in place and it benefits the area.

The Constitution October 17th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, I could answer that we also intend to win the referendum. In the question of the provincial election we came much closer than was predicted for the Liberal Party to win. In this case there is no doubt the referendum will be won, so it is still a hypothetical question.