Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest to the point of order raised by my colleague, the House leader of the official opposition. I would like to reserve the right to respond at a later date.
House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2025, with 35% of the vote.
Points of Order April 28th, 2022
Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest to the point of order raised by my colleague, the House leader of the official opposition. I would like to reserve the right to respond at a later date.
François Buttle April 27th, 2022
Mr. Speaker, last Saturday in Saint-Constant, François Buttle heard a commotion in his neighbourhood. Rushing to the street, he saw that a car had rolled over and caught fire. He quickly realized that the driver was still inside. Police on the scene were forced back by an initial blast, but as one officer held the door open, François Buttle climbed into the vehicle, unbuckled the driver's seat belt and pulled him to safety.
In a spur-of-the-moment decision, François Buttle did not hesitate to help someone else. He likely saved a life by putting his own at risk. He later said that he was just a citizen doing his job.
No, François, you were not just a citizen doing your job. I have heard about your big heart, your perpetual smile and your hard work, but this incident has made me realize that you also possess the extraordinary courage that defines a hero. That is what you are, François: a hero.
The young driver's life was saved thanks to François Buttle and two brave police officers.
To them I say bravo and thank you.
Official Languages April 25th, 2022
Mr. Speaker, it is quite funny. That is the pot calling the kettle black.
Last week, the Prime Minister was up in arms about CN appointing a unilingual anglophone board of directors.
He said he was flabbergasted and frustrated, but he himself personally appointed a unilingual anglophone lieutenant governor in New Brunswick and a Governor General of Canada who does not speak French.
How can the Prime Minister of Canada be surprised that CN is thumbing its nose at French when he personally is sending the message that French is not important?
Official Languages April 25th, 2022
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has been chastised by the courts for appointing a unilingual anglophone lieutenant governor in New Brunswick. Not only is that unconstitutional, but it also shows a serious lack of judgment. There is only one bilingual province in Canada, and the PM finds a way to appoint a unilingual anglophone.
We are reminded that he also appointed a governor general who did not speak French in an officially bilingual Canada.
When will the Prime Minister stop treating proficiency in French as a second-rate skill and francophones as second-class citizens?
Guy Lafleur April 25th, 2022
Mr. Speaker, I once had the opportunity to play with Guy Lafleur during one of his many legends tours.
Guy Lafleur, the blond demon; Guy Lafleur, number 10; our Guy Lafleur, the last of the Mohicans, as I used to say to him. He was the most extraordinary yet down-to-earth guy. He was the kind of person who did not think he was anything special. He thought he was just like the rest of us, when he had every reason to have a huge ego.
Pierre Foglia described Guy Lafleur as the greatest guy and the least screwed up by fame. That is what defines our heroes in Quebec. People like Maurice Richard, Jean Béliveau and Guy Lafleur are all humble guys that everyone can identify with. I must say that everyone could identify with Guy Lafleur. All the kids of my generation would scream “Lafleur scores!” after scoring a goal in the backyard or at the rink. Revered, adored, admired and, above all, loved by Quebeckers, Guy Lafleur was our idol, our last hero and the last of the Mohicans.
I offer my deepest condolences to his family and to all Quebeckers. Let us all cheer together, one last time, “Guy! Guy! Guy!”.
The Environment April 7th, 2022
Mr. Speaker, the worst part is that, as recently as Monday, the UN warned that no new oil and gas development should be approved if we want to have any chance of curbing climate change.
That did not stop the government, just yesterday, from approving Bay du Nord, which will pump out up to 100,000 barrels of oil a day. Drill, baby, drill.
This government took the report released by climate experts from around the world and threw it in the garbage. Not even the recycling, the garbage.
How can it still claim its decisions are based on science?
The Environment April 7th, 2022
Mr. Speaker, at 3:20 p.m. yesterday, the Prime Minister announced that he had been asked by the UN to promote sustainable development around the world.
Barely an hour and a half later, our champion of the environment approved Bay du Nord, a one-billion-barrel oil project that will pollute for 30 years.
It took him an hour and a half to make a mockery of his mandate and show the entire world that not only is Canada an oil state, but also a rogue state. The Prime Minister is literally redefining the art of talking out of both sides of his mouth.
Does he have any credibility left today when it comes to the environment?
Preserving Provincial Representation in the House of Commons Act April 7th, 2022
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.
They are trying to pull a fast one on us. Let us do the math. Under this bill, in 2023 or 2024, Quebec will lose political weight even if it keeps 78 MPs. That is unacceptable.
Preserving Provincial Representation in the House of Commons Act April 7th, 2022
Madam Speaker, I must thank my colleague and congratulate her on her French. She speaks it very well.
I want to point something out. The word “Quebec” does not appear in Bill C‑14. This bill applies to all of the provinces to prevent them from losing a seat by at least maintaining the status quo for that province.
It is not necessarily a gift for Quebec. Many provinces are threatened by this and so this bill works to their advantage. They might think that Quebec is getting a little treat, but so are they.
However, this is only half a treat for us. The thing that matters most is our political power, which is not guaranteed in the bill. Quebec's political weight will continue to decline, and that is not what we want.
Preserving Provincial Representation in the House of Commons Act April 7th, 2022
Madam Speaker, the reason is quite clear. We are dealing with people who love to hear themselves talk. They say that they will throw Quebeckers a bone when they want something, but when it is time to take action, they disappear, nothing happens, and they are gone. They talked the talk but do not walk the walk. That is not what makes a person, politician or party great.
My colleague is correct. When it is time to defend Quebec tooth and nail, only the Bloc can do it.