Claude Patry

[Forestry Industry, March 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have proof that the federal government has abandoned the forestry workers back home. Even though Quebec has changed its approach to allocating stumpage fees, the federal government still refuses to use the provision in the softwood lumber agreement that would exempt Quebec from the surcharges imposed by the Americans. Even though Quebec has a more open system than the maritime provinces, it is still being penalized by the federal government.

When will the minister dispense with the double standard and finally agree to the request from Quebec's forestry industry?

[Forestry Industry, March 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, it is all very well for the government to introduce another omnibus budget implementation bill. Forestry workers in Quebec know that they will not be getting their share.

While hundreds of millions of dollars will go to the fishers in Newfoundland, while half a billion dollars will go to the auto industry in Ontario, the forestry industry in Quebec will have to settle for crumbs, despite the challenges that remain. One might think that the forestry workers in Quebec are not worth as much to the Conservatives as other workers.

Is there a minister from Quebec who understands the importance of the forestry industry in Quebec and will ensure that it gets its fair share?

[Department of Public Works and Government Services Act, February 6th, 2014]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-574, An Act to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (use of wood).

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill that would amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act. This bill requires the federal government to give preference to projects that promote the use of wood in federal buildings.

Our bill will allow us to provide immediate assistance to forestry companies and would also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The use of wood in federal buildings will help our businesses develop new secondary and tertiary processing products and find new markets for our products.

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

[Government Services, January 31st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs has a poor attitude when it comes to Quebec's economy, and his own government is cutting services and relocating them far away from people.

Eliminating home mail delivery in urban areas, closing the passport office in Jonquière and closing the Service Canada office in Kénogami will hurt the economic development of these Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean communities.

When will the minister intervene and prevent the government from taking away the services that the people of Jonquière and Kénogami appreciate having nearby?

[Petitions, January 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition signed by over 12,000 residents of Jonquière—Alma who want the Passport Canada office in Place Saint-Michel in Jonquière to remain open. I present this petition in the House this morning.

[Intergovernmental Relations, December 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it took only two weeks for the federal government to give $280 million to Newfoundland and Labrador fishers affected by the agreement with the EU, but the Minister of State for Agriculture is saying that Quebec cheese producers will have to wait up to two years to be compensated.

Worse yet, the minister has refused to recognize the negative impact of the employment insurance reform, which is harshly penalizing agricultural producers.

Will the minister acknowledge that this is a double standard when it comes to Quebec?

[National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, December 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to rise today to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Twenty-four years after the Polytechnique massacre, now more than ever, we must remember the 14 students who were targeted because they were women. Today is an opportunity for each and every one of us to denounce all forms of violence against women loudly and clearly.

December 6 gives us a chance to measure our progress, but more importantly, to look at how much still needs to be done. Let us take a moment to reflect and to remember the 14 victims. Let us also think of those women who have suffered and continue to suffer from all kinds of violence, and let us hope they find the support they need. We must be ever vigilant and always take action to put an end to violence against women.

[International Trade, November 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, cheese producers are still waiting for compensation, but exactly one month ago, the federal government gave $280 million in compensation to Newfoundland fishermen, who were also affected by the free trade agreement.

Why is it so easy to find millions of dollars for Newfoundland, but not so easy to find money for Quebec's cheese producers?

[International Trade, November 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's milk and cheese producers protested yesterday. They are demanding that the federal government deliver on its promise to compensate them for the huge losses they will incur as a result of the European free trade agreement.

Under this agreement, 17,770 additional tonnes of European cheese will be imported. As the president of the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec said, “The concession represents more than the total production in the Lac-Saint-Jean area, which is huge”.

When will Quebec's cheese producers be compensated?

[Passport Canada, November 8th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has slated the Jonquière passport office for elimination even though the office runs well, is familiar to people, and is ideally located in the centre of the region. People are taking action. They are asking Ottawa to keep the service near them. They have every reason to fear that the closure will have a negative impact.

Why does the government want to take the passport office away from the people of Jonquière? Will it instead commit to keeping these offices open?