Claude DeBellefeuille

[Employment Insurance Act, April 20th, 2020]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-242, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (illness, injury or quarantine).

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to table the bill to amend the Employment Insurance Act with regard to illness, injury or quarantine.

On February 19, the House of Commons unanimously voted in favour of a motion calling on the government to increase the special employment insurance sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 50 weeks in order to support people with serious illnesses, such as cancer.

In light of the current crisis, I fervently hope that the government will support the amendment proposed by the Bloc Québécois and the member for Salaberry—Suroît to help sick workers suffering from serious illnesses.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[National Volunteer Week, April 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, during these extraordinary times, I want to acknowledge National Volunteer Week.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I thank all of the volunteers in Quebec, who work in the shadows. They were essential before COVID-19 shook Quebec, and they are even more essential now, as they are on the front lines to help their communities.

I thank all those who are the backbone of essential organizations in all of our regions. They make sure that people living in precarious situations have access to food, shelter, crisis lines and other types of support. Most importantly, they provide a sympathetic ear to people everywhere who are isolated.

During this crisis, I want to thank the 26,000 new individuals who heeded the Government of Quebec's call by offering their time.

We will get through this, in large part thanks to them, and once this is over, their help will still be just as valued.

[Proceedings of the House and Committees, April 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I am a member of Parliament from Quebec, and I would simply like to inform my colleague that the Quebec National Assembly has suspended until May 5.

I have a three-month-old grandson I have not seen in a month, because Quebeckers are remarkable in that they listen to the Government of Quebec's instructions so as to prevent tragedy and death and avoid infecting our seniors.

My colleague's comments today sound nothing like what I am hearing from my constituents. They are asking why some members of Parliament insist on coming here to sit more than one day during this crisis. Since my colleague is his party's caucus chair, I would like to inform him and ask him to listen to Quebeckers and Ontarians. These provinces have far more people infected with coronavirus than the others. Does he realize that asking us to cross regions that have restricted access means that we are endangering the health of Quebec and Canadian seniors?

[Health, March 12th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, just yesterday, travellers arriving from Italy at Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport were shocked to see that no one asked them any questions. They were coming from one of the largest outbreak zones in the world, yet they were simply handed a pamphlet.

This afternoon, the government's travel advisory for Europe still indicated the lowest possible risk level, even though when we are in a full-blown pandemic. There is a happy medium between panicking and doing nothing.

Will the government finally take real measures to monitor the coronavirus?

[Employment Insurance Act, February 24th, 2020]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-217, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (illness, injury or quarantine).

Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday, parliamentarians adopted the motion moved by the member for Beloeil—Chambly, the leader of the Bloc Québécois, calling on the government to increase the special employment insurance sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 50 weeks.

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois and myself, a bill to amend the Employment Insurance Act respecting illness, injury or quarantine. This bill is designed to address the needs of the most vulnerable workers struggling with a serious illness. They are entitled to a fair and compassionate employment insurance program.

Parliamentarians have a great opportunity to amend the existing act, and we remind the government that it is very important to support the bill introduced today.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Cré-Actions Studio and Boutique, February 24th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, on December 30, a raging fire destroyed the building that was home to Cré-Actions, a studio and boutique in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Cré-Actions is an important community organization that leverages sewing and crafts to help young women going through hard times, many of them marginalized, reintegrate into the community.

The devastating fire that destroyed the building left some 60 participants feeling like they had lost their second home, a place where they felt understood, supported and loved. A jeans drive has been organized to help rebuild Cré-Actions's inventory, and the young women will transform the clothing they collect into reusable bags, aprons and other crafts that they can sell to fund their activities.

I am calling on all parliamentarians to help. I personally invite everyone to bring a pair of jeans to the Bloc Québécois lobby by next Friday.

I want all the women of Cré-Actions to know that their resilience inspires me and that they can count on my support.

[Economy, February 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, everyone is affected by the rail blockades. Companies across Quebec are laying off workers. Montreal's south shore is paralyzed by the commuter train shutdown. Our farmers are facing their second propane shortage in three months. Even grocery stores are running out of stock. At this point, more than two and a half weeks into the crisis, it is not complicated. Just about everyone in Quebec is affected.

Will the government finally take responsibility?

[Business of Supply, February 18th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, as my NDP colleague said, this is an important opportunity that we do not want to miss.

It is not every day that we amend a law as important as the Employment Insurance Act. The government would be sending a clear message that it listened to workers and the most vulnerable members of our society. These people need all members of the House to come to a consensus to finally unanimously support our vulnerable workers who need care and who are fighting to survive. They need financial support. It is important to remember that this is not charity. They paid into this insurance plan, and they have the right to that support.

[Business of Supply, February 18th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised at my colleague's comment and question.

The Bloc Québécois is not missing the boat at all. The Bloc Québécois is here to serve and defend sick workers. Our goal is not to move a motion that would make a small change for women or men on maternity or paternity leave.

As I said before, our goal is to ensure that, when workers who have contributed to the program get sick and need care for more than 15 or 26 weeks, they will not have to worry about their future. We want them to know that they will be able to cover their rent, food and care so they can focus on getting well.

I can assure the House that the Bloc Québécois is not trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. What we are trying to do is help the most vulnerable people, the most vulnerable workers. I am proud to be here today to put that on the record. Sick workers, workers in general and vulnerable people will always be able to count on Bloc MPs to stand up for them.

[Business of Supply, February 18th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.

The answer is no. In our view, all workers paying into the EI program who become sick while working should be entitled to a maximum of 50 weeks of special benefits. We are not going to start dividing sick workers into different categories. Everyone who pays into the program should be protected.

In our view, a worker who is sick for a long time and needs more than 15 weeks should be entitled to up to 50 weeks. That would make things fair for all workers who pay into EI.