Denis Coderre

[Camille Laurin, March 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the man who came to be known as the father of Bill 101, Camille Laurin, has passed away after a long illness.

Mr. Laurin did much to enrich Quebec politics. With him, people knew what the sovereignist movement was all about.

As a kind of socio-linguistic therapist, his desire was to make not only Quebec but all of Canada aware of our special position in North America. He knew how to make political choices and stick to them, and contributed greatly to enhancing the worth of the French language.

We respectfully salute the accomplishments of Dr. Camille Laurin, and offer our most sincere condolences to his family.

[The Budget, March 3rd, 1999]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We are talking about an organization for parliamentarians. I remind this House that when the incident took place, we postponed the event until a later date, to make sure that the whole thing would be bilingual.

[Aquaculture, February 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State responsible for Agriculture and Agri-Food and for Fisheries and Oceans.

Could he tell us about the latest developments in aquaculture?

[Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, February 15th, 1999]

You are opposed to mobility.

[Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, February 15th, 1999]

That hurts them because, once again, Quebec is receiving not just its fair share, but more than its fair share. I would like to see it receiving less because, if Quebec received less, it would mean that its economy is in better shape.

The day Quebec receives less in the way of equalization payments under this bill it will be because the economy is improving, not because cuts are being made. This will be settled within three years with a provincial election, when the Parti Quebecois is dumped and we have Jean Charest as the premier of Quebec.

In the meantime, allow me to simply state that this bill is an essential one, because it will make it possible, despite the abominable administrative policies of the provincial government, in the hospitals and in all health services, to look after the interests of the population. We say to the people of Quebec, for as long as there is a Liberal government in Ottawa, and for as long as they have Liberal MPs in Ottawa to represent them, they are in good hands and we are going to look after their problems.

[Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, February 15th, 1999]

When we hear the members opposite whining, it is obviously because the truth hurts.

Why do over 75% of Quebeckers identify with this beautiful country called Canada? Because they have understood that, since we have introduced social programs and equalization payments, Canadians have enjoyed an exceptionally high standard of living, making Canada the number one place in the world to live. This is because of the system of equalization payments.

They cannot take that away from us. Members should get out and visit the average person. They should get out into the real world once in a while. If they talked to real people, they would realize that it takes action to resolve problems.

[Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, February 15th, 1999]

The truth hurts, but there is no getting around it. While members opposite are constantly playing to the audience—that is what they are doing—I am going to speak some hard truths. I know that Quebeckers are very proud to be represented by Liberal members, because they know that, instead of whining all the time, we take their problems to the ministers and get things done.

One thing is certain: when the MPs representing Quebec are Liberals, the essentials get looked after, and one of those essentials is equalization payments.

As I said, equalization is a system that has proved its worth, a system based on generosity that protects all Quebeckers and ensures that they have access to services.

[Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, February 15th, 1999]

Oh, the member for Frontenac—Mégantic is in a state again.

[Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act, February 15th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, what a perfect time to reply to several ridiculous statements on the part of the opposition.

When I hear cries of persecution from the Jurassic Park Reform Party, the shirt-rending Bloc Quebecois, or the NDP whited sepulchres, when they know full well that the government has to resolve the situation by March 31 so that the provinces will have the money with which to provide services, I find their egotistical grandstanding very hypocritical.

I am proud to be a member of this party and of this government. Bill C-65 is further evidence of the fact that we care about the public. We want all Canadians, wherever they live, to have access to services. To this end, we have put forward an equalization system that has proven itself year in year out since it was established, in 1957.

When I hear the Bloc Quebecois say—and they do talk a great deal of nonsense, acting persecuted and offended—“We are not getting our fair share”, it makes me feel proud of being not only a Liberal but a Liberal from Quebec because, once again, not only are we going to get our fair share but, with the improvements contained in this bill, Canadians will receive $242 million, 78% of this amount going to Quebec.

Do members want numbers? I feel in great shape. I lost my voice last week, but I got it back.

As we know, Quebec accounts for 24% of Canada's population. Yet, 29% of all equalization payments go to Quebec. That is nearly $1 billion, ladies and gentlemen from Quebec, and then the separatists complain that we are not getting our fair share. Canada is a generous country, so much so that Quebec is getting much more out of the system than it is putting in. This money is coming from all the provinces, and Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta in particular. When we tell the Bloc Quebecois members that, they get upset.

That is probably why the Bloc Quebecois is down to 38%, from 49%, in the polls today. Clearly, the Liberals are taking their responsibilities.

Instead of complaining, the hon. member for Drummond should be listening; it would do her good. In 1996 and 1997, Quebec companies received 39% of all federal government contracts and subsidies to industry for R & D. This is extraordinary. We represent 24% of the total population but Quebec universities received 28% of total subsidies. All the contracts and subsidies to the universities for R & D represent a fair amount.

Again on a regional basis, in science and technology we receive 26%. Truth will out. The separatists are moaning, the Reform Party bunch from Jurassic Park are moaning, while we get on with looking after the interests of the people. This is the first time I have heard dinosaurs speak. I did not realize they could.

The people of Quebec need to be reminded of what the equalization payment system is. It is a system of generosity. It is a system of equity. It is, above all, a system of protection.

Bill C-65 will, whether our separatist friends like it or not, give them an even larger piece of the pie. Not only a bigger piece of the pie, but the province that gets the biggest share among all those receiving equalization payments is Quebec, once again. This is a good reason to stay within the Canadian federation, since it has been demonstrated that not only does this system work, but it is generous to all, from sea to sea.

Once again, this seems not to please the hon. members for Drummond and Témiscamingue. I hear them weeping. The moaning and groaning heard in the background when the truth comes as a shock comes from the other side of the House.

Equalization is important in that it accounts for 10% of the entire budget of Quebec. This means that that we are giving close to $1 billion.

Do not forget that 24% of the population is receiving 29% of the transfer payments. What does all this money represent? Ten per cent of Quebec's budget. That means that, while Bouchard is busy with his little referendum and whines away about Quebec's separation, we are looking out for the people of Quebec, because we say “We are going to give you some money so you can have services”. So while the others rattle on about Quebec's independence, we are providing money to pay for and ensure access to services.

While the other side goes on about “constitutionalitis”, do you know what counts? What counts is that transfer payments are unconditional.

The federal government hands out nearly $10 billion in total. As I said earlier, Bill C-65 provides $242 million to Canadians, 78% of which will go to Quebec. While they go on about “constitutionalitis” on the other side, we recognize one thing: that this federation is showing once again, through its generosity, that we care about the entire population.

Finally, they say “We are stuck with a PQ government in Quebec City”. But one thing is sure: according to the latest polls, support for the people in this government, for the federal Liberals from Quebec, is now 49%—

[Social Union, February 5th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the agreement on the social union entered into with all of the provinces of Canada except Quebec represents an improvement, another stage in the workings of federation.

As the Prime Minister said yesterday, no one government wins and no one government loses; the people of Canada are the winners.

There is no doubt that it is a pity Quebec has refused to be part of the agreement. It is clear also, however, that Quebec will be associated with all stages of the consultation and the setting of priorities and common objectives.

It is, however, important to point out that Quebec has accepted the agreement on health.