House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2025, with 35% of the vote.
Health February 22nd, 2021
Mr. Speaker, we know that the best way to avoid problems when returning from a trip is not to travel at all, but the government's hotel quarantine program plumbs new depths of incompetence. It is the Phoenix system all over again. People call a government call centre and are told the wait will be three hours. They wait and at the end of three hours the call is disconnected. Some people have had to wait 25 hours to get a room. It is a phone line.
What is the government doing?
Public Services and Procurement February 17th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, I am guessing the Prime Minister read from the wrong notes because his answer had nothing to do with the question.
He refused to invest $2 million in a potential made-in-Quebec vaccine. Had he invested in time, maybe Canada would not now be in 52nd place for vaccination rates. Had he invested in time, he would not have been forced to dip into vaccines for developing countries. Had he invested in time, maybe he would not have had to go begging India for vaccines. Had he invested in time, maybe some Quebeckers would have been vaccinated in the past month.
Yesterday, the Government of Quebec once again did the federal government's job and invested $2 million. Is the Prime Minister embarrassed about that?
Public Services and Procurement February 17th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of the pandemic, the government had to act urgently.
That is why, in March, all parties allowed the government to take $2.5 billion and invest it in vaccine research and development. The government gave $1 million to the team at Université Laval, who used it to discover a potential vaccine. The team asked the government for an additional $2 million to test the vaccine, one-thousandth of all the money invested in vaccine research.
Still, the government said no. Why is that?
Points of Order February 16th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties. I believe that you will find unanimous consent for the following motion:
That the House call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to grant permanent residency to Mamadi Fara Camara as soon as possible, pursuant to section 25.1(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Public Services and Procurement February 16th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, let me set the record straight: They invested $800 million, but they could not provide $2 million for such an innovative project.
The United Kingdom also did not have massive production capacity. They did not throw in the towel, they did not say it was too difficult. They rolled up their sleeves, had confidence in their people and increased production capacity. The result is that, today, they are rolling out a large-scale vaccination program while Canada is waiting for its turn. Quebec researchers wanted just $2 million out of the $800 million. How could the government have missed out on such an opportunity? It is pathetic.
Public Services and Procurement February 16th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, we are falling further and further behind. Canada now ranks 52nd in the world when it comes to vaccination rollout. We learned this morning that instead of waiting for foreign companies, we could have been vaccinated with doses from Quebec. That is right. World-renowned experts at Laval University created a vaccine that seemed to be effective, right from the start of the pandemic. Testing was in its final stage. The government told them it was not interested and refused to fund the $2 million required. That is unbelievable.
Why did the government turn its back on Quebec science?
Health February 4th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister says that everyone will be vaccinated by September. Experts from The Economist say it will not happen until the summer of 2022. Personally, I have a lot more confidence in foreign experts because they have no reason to lie. Obviously, these are projections, because the government is still hiding the information. All we are getting is endless bad news. Canada currently ranks 33rd in the world per capita, a trend that is only getting worse. The Liberals are not doing anything.
When will the Prime Minister present his plan and his contracts?
Health February 4th, 2021
Mr. Speaker, the bad news about vaccine supplies just keeps coming. In total, we will receive 70% fewer doses from Pfizer and 20% fewer from Moderna, and this will only get worse. Things are so bad that Canada is dipping into the COVAX program, which is intended for the poorest countries. We are the only G7 country doing this, and that is extremely embarrassing.
The Prime Minister has clearly not shown himself to be worthy of blind trust. On the contrary, now more than ever, he must be transparent. Will he release the vaccine contracts and supply schedule?
Post-Secondary Education February 2nd, 2021
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to announce that beginning in September, UQAM will be offering courses in Saint-Constant in my riding.
As early as 2012, when I was a member of the Quebec National Assembly, I saw that the availability of post-secondary education was not keeping pace with our region's rapid development. I therefore began to work on bringing a satellite campus to the area to give students access to a college education, a project that came to fruition in 2018.
When I returned to politics at the federal level, I promised to join a university to that CÉGEP. A promise is a promise, and from now on, young people from Roussillon, starting with my children, will be able to complete all of their studies in my region.
I want to acknowledge the effectiveness and efficiency of the UQAM team, ably led by university president Magda Fusaro. I also want to thank Marc Rémillard, director general of the Valleyfield CÉGEP, and my friend and former partner Jean-Claude Boyer, the mayor of Saint-Constant, who never sees problems, only solutions.
I wish UQAM in Roussillon long-lasting success.
Standing Orders and Procedure February 1st, 2021
Madam Speaker, my answer will be brief.
We are discussing things, making suggestions, and figuring out what would be best for everyone. Changes should be put to a vote and adopted by the majority. Obviously, not everyone will agree with my position or my colleague's. That is what debate is for. We discuss things and then decide by majority vote.