Christian Paradis

[International Trade, June 13th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, it is very strange to hear members of that party say such things. Let us consider what has been accomplished in the last 14 months. Concrete action has been taken. We are talking about action here, and not just empty rhetoric. That is all we heard for the past 13 years, and our supply managed sectors suffered as a result. We, on the other hand, are taking action.

[Agriculture, June 8th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, these subsidies continue to pose economic harm to our producers, especially our corn growers. This is unacceptable and we encourage action.

That is why I am pleased to announce that our government will be requesting a WTO dispute settlement panel be established on the issue of U.S. agricultural subsidies. Canadian farmers deserve a level playing field.

While the opposition talks about supporting Canadian producers, this Conservative government is getting the job done.

[Option Canada, June 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, one thing is certain: the results of the latest provincial election show that the vast majority of Quebeckers do not want a referendum. Why? Because we have open federalism, because we have recognized the fiscal imbalance and because we have solved it. It is important to understand that.

[Option Canada, June 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, once again, this government is looking to the future: there is hope for a better Quebec in a united Canada. Questions about the sponsorship scandal should be directed to the Liberal Party. Here, we have hope, we have open federalism and we want federalism to work.

[Option Canada, June 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, it is important to realize that on January 23, 2006, Quebeckers voted for change. Why? Because there is hope for the future. We are talking here about open federalism. We are talking about a Quebec that is recognized as a nation within a united Canada. We are talking about a seat at UNESCO. We are getting things done, not rehashing the past.

[Option Canada, June 7th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois is coming back to something that happened 12 years ago. It is important to realize that we do not live in the past; we live for the future. We are offering an open federalism and we want it to work. We want the federation to work: a better Quebec within a united Canada.

[Agriculture, May 17th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, that is a very good question.

Under the strong leadership of this Minister of Agriculture, farmers throughout the land now have a voice here in Ottawa.

I am very proud of my new responsibilities for the rural and cooperatives secretariats. I am from a rural region and I want to see our regions succeed.

Today I announced $3.25 million in funding for agricultural cooperatives producing biofuels.

We are working for the farmers, we are working for the regions, and we are working for the environment.

[Agriculture and Agri-food, May 3rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, it always amuses me to hear the Bloc Québécois talk about unfairness. An additional $4.5 billion has been invested in agriculture, an additional $1 billion in budget 2007 alone. What about the savings account? What about the $400 million for production costs? All of that, that is action. That is not just talk.

[Agriculture, April 27th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I remind the member that on Monday we announced the $200 million ecoABC to help farmers participate and invest in new biofuel plants. That is just a fraction of what we are doing to help farmers and to help our environment.

Budget 2007 included $2 billion in new measures for biofuels. This is great for farmers, it is great for rural Canada and it is great for the environment.

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, April 27th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question.

It must be understood that the options program mentioned by the member is a pilot project that has provided $141 million to 15,000 farm families. We are listening to farmers to determine how best to support them. And what is the result? We want to replace the CAIS with a savings account program with increased assistance for rising production costs, a disaster relief program, improved production insurance and an improved margin based program. This all comes as a result of listening to farmers—