House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2025, with 44% of the vote.
Wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan June 3rd, 2025
Madam Speaker, like my colleague, we stand in solidarity with the evacuees and everyone affected by the disaster. We have offered our condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in these tragic circumstances.
My question is this. What more could my colleague's government be doing to fight climate change? What measures can it put in place to limit climate change? Could it be doing more?
Wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan June 3rd, 2025
Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleague that there is nothing better than collaboration among all levels of government to find solutions to what indigenous communities may be experiencing. I know the current situation in Manitoba is hitting them the hardest. They are literally surrounded by flames. I know some indigenous leaders have complained that they do not have everything they need to stop the forest fires.
I strongly encourage the provincial and federal governments to sit down with indigenous leaders to find solutions to better intervene and protect indigenous communities.
Wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan June 3rd, 2025
Madam Speaker, I am not a forestry expert. I do know that forest management is a provincial responsibility, which puts it within the jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces, and that each province manages its own forestry sector. I am not all that familiar with my colleague's claims that improper forest management could be the cause of some fires. I am therefore unable to answer my colleague's question.
I think that everyone needs to remember that forests are a renewable natural resource that must be looked after. We are currently living with climate change. The Bloc Québécois believes that it is important to consider rapid and preventive action to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Several specific things can be done, and all kinds of solutions have been proposed. My colleague from Repentigny will no doubt have some suggestions.
We are at a point in our history where it is time to take real and preventive action to fight climate change.
Wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan June 3rd, 2025
Madam Speaker, we are seeing more and more of these disasters. Quebec went through something similar in 2023.
We must think about what public policy makers can do to put preventive measures in place. It is clear that we will have to adapt to climate change. It is not enough to fix the damage; preventive action needs to be taken.
It appears that the government still has a lot of work to do to put preventive measures in place in an effort to prevent or mitigate the impact on our communities.
Wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan June 3rd, 2025
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that I will be sharing my time with the member for Repentigny.
Although it is a sad occasion, I feel privileged to speak this evening in this emergency debate as the Bloc Québécois critic for public safety and emergency preparedness. I want to begin by saying that the Bloc Québécois stands in solidarity with the people currently grappling with the consequences of the wildfires, the disaster victims and all those affected, directly or indirectly. The Bloc Québécois also offers its condolences to the families and loved ones of the two people who were tragically killed when they were trapped by the wildfires.
We know that Manitoba has declared a state of emergency because of the extent of the wildfires that have been raging in the province for several days. Over 17,000 people primarily located in northern Manitoba communities are facing evacuation, including the 5,000 residents of Flin Flon. People are also seeking help in Brandon, Le Pas and the provincial capital.
According to TVA, as of today, June 3, some 97 blazes are out of control in the western provinces, including 12 in Manitoba, 20 in Saskatchewan, 28 in Alberta and 37 in British Columbia. According to Radio-Canada, the largest burned areas are in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, both of which are in a state of emergency. Evacuations are ongoing, especially in remote indigenous communities surrounded by fire.
We know that direct personal experience with a natural disaster or a tragedy causes significant psychological and physical impacts. It can also leave behind scars related to traumas such as loss, grief and fear. We know that individuals with existing health issues, such as lung problems, have an even harder time coping with the smoke and poor air quality still present in their environment.
The Bloc Québécois would like to recognize all those who have been working tirelessly since the beginning to control the fires, as well as those who are supporting all the affected communities, municipalities and territories. These include the forest firefighters, police officers and first responders who are putting their lives and their health at risk to do all they can to bring these fires under control. We are also thinking of volunteer organizations such as the Red Cross and all Quebeckers and Canadians who are volunteering their time to help the affected communities. We recently learned in a press release from the Red Cross that the governments of Canada and Manitoba have pledged to match all donations made between May 28 and June 27, 2025, to the 2025 Manitoba wildfires appeal.
I will quote the Red Cross in the hope that my colleagues will be inspired to make a donation: “Donations to the Canadian Red Cross will be used to assist those impacted in Manitoba with immediate and ongoing relief including financial assistance, support to evacuees and the communities hosting them”. In addition, for those who are suffering and in need of support and recovery, the Red Cross will be able to help with “recovery and resilience efforts in response to the wildfires, [and the funds raised will support] community preparedness and risk reduction for future all-hazard disaster events within Manitoba”.
Our thoughts are also with the armed forces personnel who have been called in to assist. Our thoughts are with municipal authorities and their staff, as well as members of the first nations communities affected by these wildfires. We were saddened to learn from Radio‑Canada that indigenous leaders in Manitoba are calling for federal government action, citing a lack of coordination and equipment in their communities to fight forest fires. As we know, in Canada, emergencies are first managed at the municipal level, mainly by hospitals, police services and fire services. Municipalities can reach out to their province or territory for assistance. However, if the emergency gets worse and exceeds their capacity, the provinces and territories can request assistance from the federal government.
On May 28, for example, the Canadian Armed Forces lent a hand by deploying an aircraft to support evacuation efforts for members of both the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation and the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Manitoba. They also offered logistical support. The Public Health Agency of Canada was also approached and provided assistance through the national emergency strategic stockpile. Provinces and territories may request these assets during public health emergencies or events when their own resources are depleted or not immediately available. These assets include personal protective equipment, therapeutics, beds and blankets.
In this disaster of exceptional magnitude, the provinces are showing up for one another in tangible and meaningful ways. In these types of situations, coordination between all stakeholders and all levels of decision-makers must be as efficient as possible and must be carried out quickly and urgently. We know that the Quebec government is currently providing assistance to Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. Eleven major wildfire management specialists from Quebec are expected to arrive in Alberta shortly. Some 60 firefighters and several SOPFEU representatives are scheduled to leave for Manitoba today, June 3.
Despite the tensions between the United States and Canada, a lot of help is flowing from the United States to Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia. More than 125 American firefighters have come to lend their Quebec and Canadian colleagues a hand. In addition, most Canadian provinces already have boots on the ground to ease the load on forest firefighters.
The fires are so big that authorities are already in contact with Mexico, Australia, Costa Rica and other countries to ask for additional firefighters. Tonight's debate highlights the fact that the priority is on fighting the fires, helping residents and protecting public health. The current situation and others from recent years show that natural disasters are increasing in scope and frequency. They are no longer the exception. Emergencies are now the norm, and their human, economic and environmental costs are rising.
It goes without saying that, in the short term, the priority is collaboration between the various departments and authorities concerned. The fires need to be extinguished and the victims rehoused in the best possible conditions. However, the emergency needs to be under control before we can assess how the crisis was managed and determine what could be done differently. We do not know whether tonight's emergency debate will really help those on the ground. Unfortunately, major forest fires have become the norm, as have emergency debates. We keep reiterating the importance of prevention, environmental and public health protection, and climate change adaptation.
Parliamentarians and the government have a duty to seriously consider the rising costs associated with the impacts of climate change. We must understand that, in order to reduce these costs, we need to invest in measures to adapt to the effects of climate change. In the context of the current emergency, the Bloc members are available. We stand with the affected communities and victims in the western provinces. We know that this sentiment was shared by our colleagues during the devastating fires that raged in Quebec, mainly in Abitibi and on the north shore, in the spring and summer of 2023.
We have no doubt that the members from the affected provinces are aware of the causes and consequences of these mounting disasters, which have direct repercussions on the lives of their constituents. These mounting natural disasters should lead us, as public decision-makers, to take preventive action. We must ask ourselves what action must be prioritized to reduce the impact these disasters have on the public, the communities and the land.
In closing, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I once again offer our warmest thoughts and our complete solidarity with the affected communities, victims and first nations. I would remind my colleagues that the important thing is to develop the autonomy we need to independently deal with the many challenges that come with major emergencies like forest fires and floods. It has become inevitable.
Wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan June 3rd, 2025
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for very moving speech, since he hails from the province that has declared a state of emergency.
He said that the provinces and Canada may not have enough equipment to deal with the increasing number of natural disasters. He said that Manitoba will even need international aid. There is talk of getting reinforcements from Mexico, Australia and even Costa Rica to help our forest firefighters.
Does he think it is time for the provinces and Canada to get everything they need and for us to build all the aircraft we need right here so we can deal with current and future natural disasters?
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply May 30th, 2025
Mr. Speaker, during the previous Parliament, parliamentarians passed Bill C-21, legislation aimed at increasing gun control. However, since the bill passed, we have been waiting for the regulations that the government was supposed to introduce.
Does my colleague, who is concerned about safety, find it unusual that the regulations for such an important bill have not yet been introduced?
Finance May 30th, 2025
Mr. Speaker, I have a reminder for the Liberals. Quebeckers elected a minority government, and so they expect the parties to co-operate. They expect transparency. Most of all, they expect restraint. Tabling over $200 billion in new spending without a budget explaining where the funds are coming from is a blatant violation of the Liberals' mandate in every sense. We asked the government to co-operate, to show transparency and restraint.
Are the Liberals going to live up to Quebeckers' expectations and present a budget plan?
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply May 30th, 2025
Mr. Speaker, as a member of Parliament representing a riding that borders the United States, I have an interest in border security.
The throne speech mentions the hiring of additional RCMP officers, but there is not a word about the government's intention to add human resources to the Canada Border Services Agency.
Does my colleague not find it odd, even abnormal, that the previous government's commitment to hire 1,000 border services officers was not included in the throne speech?
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply May 29th, 2025
Mr. Speaker, yes, seniors in Quebec and other Canadian provinces are increasingly falling victim to financial scams, as well as romance scams. It should be noted that there seems to be a bit of a vacuum, in that no one feels responsible for going after those who are scamming seniors.
Like my colleague, I believe that we need to talk about this and do more to address it. I think the government has a great opportunity to do something about this.