House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was cultural.

Last in Parliament April 1997, as Liberal MP for Laval West (Québec)

Won his last election, in 1993, with 46% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation December 7th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, I know that the CBC's board of directors intends to follow up on the report. Again, I am reluctant to comment on figures taken from a newspaper article. I want to get much more information on the CBC's coverage and on the exact nature of the report.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation December 7th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, I do not draw conclusions on studies I have not yet seen. The CBC's board of directors asked for some reports. I am told that these reports were submitted to the board. I still have not received them. I will comment after seeing them.

Magazine Publishing December 6th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, the policy on split runs has been in effect for something like 30 years. It has helped the Canadian magazine industry which has contributed to our understanding of ourselves as Canadians. It contributes to our identity. It contributes to national unity, a fact that our colleagues in the Reform totally ignore because they are not interested in Canadian unity.

Magazine Publishing December 6th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, of course there is cabinet solidarity on the subject. What the Minister for International Trade wrote in a letter to me dated January 27 was a report of the conversation he had with his American counterpart, Mickey Kantor. It is quite natural for the Minister for International Trade to report to the Minister of Canadian Heritage on the views expressed in the United States.

Royal Arms Of Canada December 5th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, the people responsible for the coat of arms are the people of heraldic authority of Canada under the jurisdiction of the governor general.

That is the way the coat of arms is changed. It has been approved by the Queen. If, as I said earlier, my colleague wants to trigger a nationwide debate on the subject of the change, he would be welcome to it.

Royal Arms Of Canada December 5th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, it certainly belongs to the people of Canada, all of us, but particular to those who believe in what is written on the coat of arms: "To build a better country".

I hope the Reform Party believes in it and will support the new coat of arms.

Royal Arms Of Canada December 5th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, I explained these changes were made in 1987. We are not currently doing anything. We are printing booklets giving the symbols of Canada all across Canada.

One reason, as I understand it, the coat of arms was changed in 1987 was to add "to build a better country". If this is irrelevant today, I profoundly disagree. Our colleagues should work for a better country, but they do not.

Royal Arms Of Canada December 5th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, changes in the coat of arms are not unusual. They have taken place over the years. We witness now, somewhat belatedly, another change.

If the member wants to make a great show of it, I would suggest he go outside and ride on the back of the unicorn.

Royal Arms Of Canada December 5th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, perhaps I could make a brief correction on dates. The date I gave is correct. That was when the coat of arms was approved. What happened more recently was that the Queen decided it could be distributed all over Canada. That is the difference in dates.

As to the authority, we should remember that the coat of arms is under the authority of the Governor General of Canada. If the opposition or the second party in the opposition wants to have a great debate, it can always use opposition days.

Royal Arms Of Canada December 5th, 1995

Mr. Speaker, the coat of arms was approved by the Queen in 1987. I am always prepared to have great parties to celebrate events but this one would be a little late.