Madam Speaker, the interpreter says the sound is really bad.
House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2021, with 48% of the vote.
National Defence December 7th, 2020
Madam Speaker, the interpreter says the sound is really bad.
Health December 7th, 2020
Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister justifies his refusal to increase health transfers by saying that his priority is, and I quote, “to help Canadians get through this crisis”. However, the crisis he is referring to is a health crisis.
Quebec and the provinces are the parties responsible for health care. They are asking for more money to care for people. That is how the federal government can help people “get through” this crisis.
At the first ministers meeting on Thursday, will he announce an increase in health transfers?
Health December 7th, 2020
Madam Speaker, at the meeting that will be held on Thursday, all of the provincial premiers and the Premier of Quebec will be calling for a sustainable, unconditional increase in health transfers. All of the parties in the Quebec National Assembly are calling for this. The House of Commons is calling for this. Canadians and Quebeckers are calling for this. The Liberal Party of Canada is the only one against it.
The Prime Minister is isolated and has no allies. Instead of leading a one-man crusade against Quebec's health care system, will he finally listen to reason on Thursday and announce an increase to health transfers?
Criminal Code December 4th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, I am an MP, but I am also a social worker and I belong to a professional association, so I am an active professional.
Not long ago, I worked in a long-term care facility and in homes, where I supported people who had made that informed choice and were supported. Under Quebec law, social workers play a crucial, key role in supporting people who have chosen MAID.
I know first-hand that it is a very rigorous and demanding process, and not everyone who applies gets approved. I witnessed a situation in which a woman applied and was unfortunately denied because the professionals in her case found that she was not yet capable of making that decision.
This issue is so important to my colleague. Can he tell me the underlying reason why so many Conservative MPs are resisting Bill C-7 or rejecting it outright?
Official Languages December 4th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, in addition to all those I already mentioned, there is also the Union des producteurs agricoles du Québec, the Union des artistes and at least three other major unions. Everyone in Quebec agrees that the Charter of the French Language should be applied to federally regulated businesses. Everyone agrees except a handful of members of the Liberal Party of Canada. The Liberals are alone in this.
Why can they not put an end to this phony debate since there is actually a consensus? Why are they incapable of saying that Bill 101 will apply to federally regulated businesses?
Official Languages December 4th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, the Quebec National Assembly, the Government of Quebec, the mayors of the six largest cities in Quebec and the majority of members of Parliament from all parties in the House are in agreement. This does not happen often, so we should use this opportunity.
Everyone agrees that the Charter of the French Language should apply to federally regulated businesses in Quebec. The only dissenting voice is the Liberal Party of Canada. It talks about the importance of French in Quebec but is the only one not acting on it.
Will the Liberals apply Bill 101 to federally regulated businesses, yes or no?
Business of Supply December 1st, 2020
Congratulations to my colleague the deputy whip of the Bloc Québécois for a great speech that clearly highlighted her appreciation for health care and social service workers in her region, a region she obviously cares deeply about.
Can she explain why it is so important to the Premier of Quebec and to the premiers of all the other provinces that the federal government respect provincial jurisdictions over health and social services?
Business of Supply December 1st, 2020
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech.
It is true that we need standards, but what we need are standards for the Quebec nation. Every province has its own standards because they set them based on their unique circumstances and needs.
I do not agree with my colleague's assertion that this is what the Bloc wants. It is not the Bloc that wants this. All the provinces want it. All the provinces have asked the federal government to respect their jurisdictions and transfer the money to the provinces so they can provide adequate health services.
Why is the government insisting on interfering in areas under provincial jurisdiction as clearly described in the Canadian Constitution?
Why does my colleague not give a fig about that?
Business of Supply December 1st, 2020
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.
We do not share the same definition of the word “national”. When I say “nation”, I mean Quebec. If I mention Canada-wide standards, that means all of Canada.
If my colleague wants to influence the scope of social benefits and health care in her own province, I just want to tell her that she is in the wrong Parliament. She should instead try to influence the politicians in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
I would point out to her that we pay the QST and the GST in Quebec. We pay a lot of taxes in Quebec, because we have decided to redistribute the money collectively and equitably in order to provide social benefits to everyone.
Ottawa's Parliament is not the place to hold debates on health care and social services; they must happen in the parliamentary assembly of each province. I therefore urge her to use her fighting spirit to influence the politicians in Alberta.
Business of Supply December 1st, 2020
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.
The Montérégie-Ouest Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux is a striking example. It did not need Canada-wide standards to manage its long-term care homes and to do a good job. As my colleague can see, her government is misguided.
The Government of Quebec's innovative practices are a source of inspiration for other provinces and countries. Quebec is also a model in terms of child care. These are services that Quebec citizens and taxpayers pay for and that other provinces could choose to fund. They choose not to, however, and that is up to them. We are also a model in terms of how we support our community organizations that serve the public.
We are indeed a good example, but that is no reason for the federal government to come in and tell us what to do and how to do it. I hope my colleague understands that and will get her government back on the right track.