Christine Moore

[Telecommunications, September 21st, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I have been asking the government for a cellular network strategy for our regions for years now, but every time I ask the question, the response I get is about the Internet, as though they were the same thing.

Access to a high-quality cell network is a matter of public safety and an economic issue. It is part of our daily lives now. The Government of Quebec cannot wait any longer. It has decided to pay for the federal government's share of two cell tower projects in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Lac-Saint-Jean.

Is that the Liberal strategy, to wait for the provinces to do the federal government's job?

[Firearms Act, September 20th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I can understand that my colleague is a little angry because false information has been circulating about this bill.

For example, the Prime Minister sent out tweets stating that the government was going to crack down on illegal guns, but the bill does not deal with that. Most of the bill concerns restricted and prohibited guns. There are also some regulations concerning long guns.

In the interest of providing accurate information, would the member agree with me that the major changes that affect people with a long gun licence and who do not own a gun that will be reclassified is that their name will be recorded when purchasing a gun and that they will have to make a phone call when they sell one?

Is that information correct? If she could spell that out, it would help people understand what they are hearing.

[Firearms Act, September 20th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by telling my colleague that I was touched by the stories she shared. These were particularly sad stories. I think that everyone is worried about gun violence.

I also want to tell my colleague that it is sometimes a bit difficult to grasp the distinctions between firearms obtained legally or illegally, and particularly between unrestricted, restricted or prohibited firearms.

Unfortunatelly, the bill will have no effect on illegal firearms. It will have no effect on organized crime or smuggling. It will make administrative changes to how people may legally obtain firearms. The majority of the crimes the member talked about were mostly likely committed with illegal firearms that were acquired through organized crime, for example.

We do not want to confuse people or make them fear legislation that, in reality, does not address a problem.

Has the member talked to the new minister about how to address violence committed with illegal guns? Is the minister available to hear from opposition members who have suggestions?

[Firearms Act, September 20th, 2018]

Madam Speaker, I would like to know why my colleague does not think the initial background check should include a person's entire criminal record. Obviously, the amount of time that has passed since a given crime will be taken into account. A 40-year-old simple marijuana possession charge will not matter as much as a 40-year-old violent armed robbery charge.

Why does my colleague think it is not important to go that far back? Serious charges might well be relevant.

[Young Farmers, September 18th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, dairy producers in Abitibi—Témiscamingue and many other parts of Quebec find themselves in an untenable position because of uncertainty around NAFTA negotiations and the United States' demands with respect to supply management.

I would like to tell you about Camille Allen. She grew up on her parents' farm in Cléricy and is now studying farm business management so that she can take over the family farm one day. Camille is afraid that her family business could be sold or dismantled if the government gives in on supply management. She is afraid that years of investment and sacrifice might go up in smoke along with her dream because we were unable to protect a system that has served Canadian consumers and producers so well for decades.

Camille and other farmers in Abitibi—Témiscamingue are counting on us and on this government to do right by them and stand up to the American giant. Our next generation of farmers is too precious for us to let them down. We need to think about the future of Canadian agriculture and our rural farms.

[Petitions, September 18th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition about children's rights that was done in collaboration with the Elizabeth Fry Society. The petitioners are calling on the government to recognize that other family members may take care of children while their parents are incarcerated or homeless. Because those other family members are not eligible for family-related benefits, children miss out on that support. It is important to understand that family situations are not the same as they were back in the day. I sincerely hope the government will take action on this issue.

[Petitions, June 5th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to present a petition initiated by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, or CPAWS, concerning the protection of Gatineau Park.

This petition, signed by people from Gatineau, Ottawa, Kanata, Chelsea, and Kingston, calls for legal protections for the park, which is not currently protected under the law and does not enjoy the same protections as other national parks in Canada. The petition calls on the government to pass legislation to recognize the park's boundaries and adopt policies that are appropriate to a nationally significant protected area, thereby preserving more than 90 plant species and 50 animal species at risk.

Gatineau Park is one of the most frequently visited parks in Canada, and the petitioners believe that we must act now to preserve it.

[CBC/Radio-Canada, May 4th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, the disappearance of over-the-air broadcasting is having an impact in my region. Not only is there no longer any regional news programming on Radio-Canada, but people who tuned in to Radio-Canada over the air no longer have access, unless they are prepared to pay for cable or satellite. Similar situations are increasingly common in rural regions across Canada.

Will the Minister of Canadian Heritage share her position on the gradual disappearance of over-the-air Radio-Canada broadcasting in rural areas?

[Human Trafficking, May 4th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to tell you that senators and MPs from all parties got together to form a parliamentary group to combat modern day slavery and human trafficking.

I will have the privilege of serving as co-chair alongside the member for Winnipeg Centre, the member for Peace River—Westlock, and Senator Christmas.

Our goal is to take a non-partisan approach, because we believe this issue is just too important for us to get caught up in partisan squabbles. Our group will be supported by Nicole Barrett, the director of the International Justice and Human Rights Clinic at the University of British Columbia. Ms. Barrett was also a member of the national Task Force on Trafficking of Women and Girls in Canada. Even in our own country, over 90% of victims are women who are being exploited mainly for sexual purposes. These women are our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, and our neighbours. By working together, we can give them the help they deserve.

I invite all members of this House to join our group and help find solutions to put an end once and for all to these human rights atrocities that are being perpetrated right here in Canada.

[Tania Rancourt, April 30th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about a woman who was not a fan of gym class in high school, like many young girls. This woman had two beautiful children, but she became discouraged by her pregnancy-related weight gain, like many women in this situation.

With the support of her family and the help of her father, this woman started to run. Little by little, she ran longer distances, up until she ran in her first marathon. She qualified for the prestigious Boston Marathon and also completed the Défi 117 run.

This woman's name is Tania Rancourt, and she is originally from Sainte-Germaine-Boulé, a village in Abitibi West. She now runs in the winter and the summer. Tania Rancourt just achieved an extraordinary feat when she completed the Zion Ultra Marathon, a 100-mile, or 160-kilometre, race in the Utah desert, in 27 hours and 37 minutes, which ranks her among the top 10 women to run this prestigious international race.

I wanted to pay tribute to courageous, determined women like Tania Rancourt, who are a source of inspiration to many women, including me. Many congratulations.