House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 1997, with 38% of the vote.
Minister Of Intergovernmental Affairs October 27th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs says exactly the same thing we are saying.
The minister has always said that he wanted a rational debate on the issue of a Quebec sovereignty. Does he not think that stating that there are too many Lucien Bouchards in the world constitutes dangerous, irresponsible and even hateful language?
Minister Of Intergovernmental Affairs October 27th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs stated over the weekend before Liberal supporters, and I quote “That there were too many Lucien Bouchards in the world in countries that are not democratic”.
Could the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs explain to us what he means by this surprising sentence “There are too many Lucien Bouchards in the world in countries that are not democratic”?
Foreign Affairs October 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the minister seems to be putting a lot of faith in the joint investigation with Israel.
However, how can he shed light on this question when, as we heard this morning, he cannot even get Israel's assurance that it will never again use Canadian passports in this kind of operation?
Foreign Affairs October 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Last week, the minister seemed as surprised as we were to hear that Canadian passports had been used in a terrorist operation. He obviously did not seem aware of the fact.
How can the minister, who just signed a joint agreement with Israel, be so sure of himself and dismiss out of hand the allegations of collusion between the two governments made by Mr. Spector?
Member For Laval West October 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, on Thursday last, the Liberal member for Laval West took offence at the attitude of the Bloc Quebecois to the appointment of Liberal judge Michel Bastarache, saying that sovereignists, and I quote, “never hesitate to reward their separatist friends”.
The Liberal member would do well to look at her own situation. From 1993, the new member, who was the defeated Liberal candidate in Laval East, enjoyed the pleasures of Liberal cronyism until the elections of 1997.
In June 1995, she went to Haiti as an election observer at taxpayers' expense. In January 1996 she was appointed to the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, again at taxpayers' expense. In June 1996, she was appointed commissioner of the Immigration and Refugee Board at an annual salary of $86,400.
Rather than feigning indignation, the member for Laval West should be blushing for having enjoyed the pleasures of cronyism.
Minister Of Intergovernmental Affairs September 30th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the French President, Jacques Chirac, said and I quote “France will accompany Quebec, whatever route it chooses to follow.”
That was enough to get the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs into a panic. Trying to appropriate the words of the French President, the minister asked himself: “Is anyone not willing to accompany Quebec?”
Yes, and none other than him and his government. Among other things, he refuses to accept the democratic rule of 50 percent plus one; he wants to draft the referendum question himself; he argues that all Canadians should have their say in the future of the Quebec people; and finally he tries to use the justices of the Supreme Court by having them declare the democratic choice of Quebeckers illegal.
Rather that making a fool of himself, the infallible minister should react calmly and take note of the willingness of France to recognize a sovereign Quebec.
Centre Des Femmes De Laval September 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I take special pleasure today in paying tribute to the Centre des femmes de Laval, which is celebrating 15 years of operation.
The centre, whose main goal is to improve living conditions for women, provides shelter, counselling, information and support to all women in Laval.
Be it through information and training or through innovative programs, the Centre des femmes de Laval brings women together to discuss their individual situations, look for solutions and, more importantly, break down the isolation women often unwillingly find themselves in.
As a founding member of the centre, I want to congratulate the board of directors, the staff and especially the volunteers who work in this key player in the Laval community.
Long live the Centre des femmes!
Serge L'Archer April 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, since so far, the minister's actions do not seem to have been successful, I would like to ask another question.
Considering that Libya has right from the beginning financed and trained the group of rebels who are holding Mr. L'Archer hostage and that it still seems to have some influence with this group, does the government intend to put pressure on Libya in an attempt to obtain the release of Mr. L'Archer?
Serge L'Archer April 25th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, my question was intended for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Since February 28, Quebec volunteer Serge L'Archer has been held hostage in the Sahara desert by Toubou rebels who are against the authoritarian regime of Niger.
Who is in a position to inform the House of the latest developments surrounding the detention of Mr. L'Archer in Niger?
Armenian People April 24th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, today is the 82nd anniversary of a tragic event: the Armenian genocide.
Members of the Bloc Quebecois strongly believe that this crime against humanity must not sink into oblivion. Year after year, we want to mark this sad anniversary. In fact, the recognition of the Armenian genocide was the subject of a motion brought forward by my colleague from Ahuntsic on April 23, 1996. Unfortunately, Liberal members seemed reluctant to face the facts since they managed to water down the motion by having the notion of genocide taken out of it.
The execution and deportation of nearly two million Armenians under the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923 was the first major genocide of this century. This day to remember the victims of the Armenian genocide reminds us of the importance of fighting against the impunity still enjoyed today by some governments.