Alain Therrien

[Ethics, October 7th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, he could take a lesson from the Bloc Québécois. He has a lot to learn in this particular area.

On May 16, 2016, the Prime Minister held a lucrative cocktail fundraiser with wealthy, prominent members of Toronto's Chinese community. Oddly enough, just a few days later, the Trudeau Foundation received $1 million. That is not all. A few weeks later, the Chinese bank Wealth One was granted its Canadian charter and, at the same time, the Prime Minister's riding received 80%, that is, $70,000 in funding. Mr. Wei Wei attended the exclusive dinner on May 16, 2016, so the Prime Minister does know him.

Did he promise him anything?

[Ethics, October 7th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, last night, Toronto police arrested a businessman who was operating an illegal casino in his home. The police seized a machine gun and $1 million. That businessman's name is Wei Wei.

Interestingly, Wei Wei is a loyal and generous Liberal Party of Canada donor. Among other things, he donated $1,200 in 2014 and attended an exclusive cocktail party in 2016 with the Prime Minister himself, whom he met with at least twice.

My question is simple: Does the Prime Minister know Wei Wei?

[Health, October 6th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, 73% of Canadians say they want the federal government to spend more on health, 81% of Quebeckers say they want more money for health, 100% of the members of the National Assembly say they want more money for health, and 100% of the provincial premiers say they want more money for health. However, for every $100 in pandemic spending, the government has put only 15¢ into health. Provincial governments are waiting on $28 billion, but the government has earmarked less than 2% of that for health.

Why is this government abandoning health in the midst of a pandemic?

[Health, October 5th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, facts are facts. Quebec and the provinces are asking the government for $28 billion to make up the shortfall. The government gave them $500 million. That is less than 2% of what Quebec and the provinces are calling for to help with health care. The provinces and Quebec are calling for more help to take care of people. Health care providers in Quebec are asking for more money, more help.

What is the government waiting for? When will it help Quebeckers get the care they need while respecting Quebec’s jurisdictions?

[Health, October 5th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, the second wave has hit Quebec. We have 1,100 more cases today. That is unbelievable.

The health care system is on the verge of breaking down, yet the government has decided against increasing health transfers to care for our people. Simply put, the facts are undeniable. The government has spent nearly $300 billion more during the pandemic, but only $500 million on health care during a public health crisis. For every $100 the government has injected into the economy, only 15 cents has gone to health care. That is ridiculous.

When will the government do its part?

[Health, October 1st, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, we are in the midst of a full-blown health crisis.

Now more than ever, people need good quality health care. Now more than ever, it is time to work with Quebec to help our health care providers and protect our seniors. Quebec needs an increase in health transfers to more effectively fight COVID-19, and it has been asking for those transfers.

What was the government's answer? It said that Canada is not Quebec's ATM and that Quebec needs to make do with its equalization payments. Nice collaboration there. I would be embarrassed if that were me.

Quebeckers need better health care and they are calling for health transfers from Ottawa.

What is Ottawa waiting for?

[Health, September 29th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals put $500 million into health care. Quebec and the provinces want $28 billion. Honestly, can the Prime Minister count?

Eighty-one per cent of Quebeckers and 73% of Canadians want health transfers to increase. In Quebec, the National Assembly is unanimous: They want health transfers to increase. All provincial premiers want health transfers to increase.

What is it going to take for the Prime Minister to understand?

[Health, September 29th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, most Quebeckers learned that they are now in the red zone. On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I would first like to express my solidarity with the people of Quebec who just received this terrible news.

Today, a survey revealed that 81% of Quebeckers want the federal government to increase health transfers. That is only natural, since we are in the midst of a health crisis. Yesterday evening, the Bloc Québécois introduced an amendment to that effect. We want more health transfers. The Liberals voted against it, the Conservatives voted against it, the NDP voted against it, and the Green Party voted against it.

Why is the federal government turning its back on Quebeckers when we are in the midst of a second wave?

[Proceedings on the bill entitled An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19, September 29th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I have a comment in that regard.

I saw the member for Calgary Nose Hill leave and come back in during the vote. I do not know whether that is allowed, so this should be clarified. I also saw the deputy leader of the Conservative Party come in and then leave.

I am not blaming anyone. We are in a situation where we are all learning together. Is this allowed or not? I can more readily overlook this than some who refused to return to the original vote as requested yesterday by the Bloc Québécois member. We have more class than that.

[Health, September 28th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, the provinces and Quebec said that the federal government needs to provide an additional $28 billion in funding. Provincial governments are asking for more money for health care, not because they want to pick a fight but because we are in a pandemic. If the Government of Quebec is asking for an increase in health transfers, it is because we are going through the worst health crisis ever. If Quebec is asking for these transfers, it is because health care has been chronically underfunded by the federal government for 25 years. If Quebec is asking for these transfers, it is because Quebeckers need this money.

When will the government give Quebec what it deserves?