Dany Morin

[Founding of Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean, March 19th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, on June 11, 1838, 14 settlers from the Société des Vingt-et-un arrived in La Baie to lay the foundations of what would later become Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean. Now, 175 years later, the region is celebrating its founding and commemorating all those who played a role in developing this vast area.

It is no small feat to organize activities for an entire region over the course of a full year. A team has been working hard for months to plan a whole year of extraordinary festivities for the people of Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect different generations with our history so that we can promote our region's potential and foster its economic and social growth.

I must point out that work on Route 175 will be completed in time for the celebrations. This represents a new stage in the region's development, and it will considerably boost efforts to reverse the demographic trend that poses a serious threat to the future of Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean.

The NDP wishes everyone in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean a happy 175th anniversary.

[Response to the Supreme Court of Canada Decision in R. v. Tse Act, March 19th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to congratulate my New Democrat colleague for his speech and in particular for his last intervention, in which he spoke about how Canadians wanted more public safety, whether in terms of safer pedestrian railway crossings or preventing criminals from killing them and their loved ones.

People are also very concerned about their personal freedom. Historically, there have been abuses in connection with a variety of conflicts and events around the world, including during the aftermath of 9/11, which was highly problematic.

Perhaps the member could reassure Canadians on whether a balance has been achieved between personal freedom and public safety in this bill?

[Response to the Supreme Court of Canada Decision in R. v. Tse Act, March 19th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my Conservative colleague some questions.

I would like to know why the minister waited so long between introducing Bills C-30 and C-55 if we are in such need of a bill like this in Canada.

I would also like to ask him if, like the NDP, he also disagreed with the minister when the minister made very disgraceful comments to the effect that anyone who opposed the original bill was siding with pedophiles.

[Bullying, February 27th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, today I am wearing pink to show my support for Anti-Bullying Day. Even though the Conservatives voted overwhelmingly against my national bullying prevention strategy, I am continuing my cross-Canada “For the Kids” tour.

I have met many people from all over Canada who have been affected by bullying. They want the federal government to do its part. The government has failed to do its job. According to a study conducted by the WHO, Canada is ranked in the bottom third of developed countries when it comes to protecting its young people from bullying.

Before rising for the Christmas break, the Senate released its report on cyberbullying. The committee suggested that the federal government establish a coordinated national bullying prevention strategy. In short, experts on bullying are calling for this strategy, as are families and young people. The Senate has come to the same conclusion as the NDP.

After voting against bullying prevention, when will the government finally adopt a national bullying prevention strategy? Time is of the essence.

[Employment, February 14th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, in Saguenay, the needs of the Canada summer jobs program increase every year, but the budget has been frozen since 2009. This has a very negative impact on the organizations, small municipalities and young people who depend on this program every summer.

What is more, I have found out that applications will no longer be processed in Saguenay, but rather, they will be processed hundreds of kilometres away, near Montreal, by public servants who are not familiar with Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean's reality.

I demand that this government stop centralizing our resources in major centres and give the responsibility for processing applications for the Canada summer jobs program back to a Service Canada employee in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean.

[Business of Supply, February 14th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, apparently my Conservative colleague does not think that the NDP has done enough to support the cause of missing and murdered aboriginal women. I would like to ask her the same question.

The Conservative government funded Sisters in Spirit, an initiative to compile a list of missing and murdered aboriginal women across Canada. One Conservative member even said that it was federal money well spent. But then the government stopped funding the initiative, as though the problem had been solved, as though all of the women had been counted and the problem of missing and murdered women could be swept under the rug.

I am glad that my Conservative colleague brought this issue to the forefront because I do not think that the Conservative government has done enough. It is all well and good to talk about Bill C-42, which is a bit too broad, but this is about a serious problem facing aboriginal women.

Will the Conservative government reinstate funding for the Sisters in Spirit initiative, which was playing a crucial role in Canadian history?

[Heart Month, February 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, February is here, and I suggest we spend some time during the month of love talking about our hearts, because February is heart month in Canada.

It is important to know that 90% of Canadian adults have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke, which are among the leading causes of death in Canada. It is high time we reduced our risk by reducing tobacco consumption, being physically active, eating healthy food and reducing obesity rates in Canada, particularly among children, so that they can live longer, healthier lives.

This month, the Heart and Stroke Foundation launched its “Make Health Last” campaign. Soon, the message will be all over television, the Internet, newspapers and radio.

The foundation's annual report says that if baby boomers do not change their ways, many of them could spend their last years in sickness, disability and immobility. On average, Canadians will spend their final 10 years living with sickness.

We must act now.

[Fair Rail Freight Service Act, February 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I am keenly interested in this issue. I have asked various colleagues this question. I would also like to ask my NDP colleague this question.

Does he believe that the Conservative government is taking Canada’s railway infrastructure seriously?

A little earlier, I mentioned that 70% of goods are shipped by rail. In order to move forward on the green economy, we must reduce road transportation and ship goods by rail more frequently. I hope the Canadian government will eventually agree to promote the green economy and play a leadership role.

Does he believe that the Conservative government is taking the issue seriously and that it is putting money and energy in the right places?

[Fair Rail Freight Service Act, February 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is a shame that my Conservative colleague cannot see what is right in front of him.

I will repeat what I said in my speech. In 2011, that is, a year and a half ago, there was a train derailment in Chambord because the tracks were poorly maintained and worn out.

Am I to understand that all this money from the federal government was invested in the past six months and that we now have a perfect railway system in Canada? I want the Conservative government to open its eyes. They cannot claim that it was an exception.

The speech by my Conservative colleague cannot be taken seriously. He should go to my riding and to other ridings and see the state of the railway for himself.

[Fair Rail Freight Service Act, February 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, my NDP colleague is absolutely right. People complain that the train does not go fast enough, at 40 km/h, because the tracks are worn out and poorly maintained. People want to be able to ship their goods. A number of executives and exporters in my riding prefer to ship goods by road, as the railways in our region are poorly maintained, and this results in more pollution.

Moreover, the ever-increasing price of gas does not help the SMEs and the corporations in our ridings, in my riding or my colleague’s, to make a place for themselves and win a share of the domestic and international marketplace.

I am proud that the NDP wants to upgrade Canada’s railway system. I just hope that the Conservatives will be able to deal with any price gouging that might arise from the CN and CP monopoly, but I do not have much hope for such a jaded government.