Denis Coderre

[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.

[Supply, February 4th, 1999]

Does that hurt you?

[Social Union, February 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, we are all aware of the very important meeting that took place today between the Prime Minister of Canada and his provincial counterparts.

I am told that the first ministers meeting has now concluded.

I would like to ask the Prime Minister what exactly came out of this first ministers' meeting today?

[Supply, February 4th, 1999]

Ah, that's better.

[Supply, February 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

If the hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot needs to be taught a lesson, I will do so today. Helluva is blasphemous. I urge him to use appropriate language when he speaks. The people I represent like to hear speeches of substance rather than constant personal attacks.

My grandmother used to would wash out our mouth with soap. I will send the member a full box of soap.

[Supply, February 4th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. This House is an appropriate forum for presenting arguments. But the member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot has repeatedly used the words hypocrite and hypocritical. I think this is not helping the debate. I would ask the member to stick to his arguments and to refrain from making personal attacks because that is not helping the debate.

[Agriculture, December 9th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

We all know that Canadian farmers are facing an alarming situation.

When will the minister be ready to announce a response to the crisis?

[Election Campaign In Quebec, November 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we are in the home stretch of the Quebec election campaign.

The PQ has resorted to tricks, intellectual dishonesty, ploys and manipulation. Can you believe that, yesterday, during the television program Le Point , Lucien Bouchard thought of himself as Robert Bourassa?

The PQ is trying to hoodwink Quebeckers. It talks about winning conditions, plotting and scheming to make us believe that Lucien Bouchard will fight for social union and renewed federalism. Next time, he will even invite us on an organized trip to the Rocky Mountains.

I am not interested in Lucien Bouchard's renewed federalism. I will vote for true federalism. I do not want to hear about separation. I want nothing to do with tricks. I am not interested in a referendum, period. I will vote for a stronger Quebec within Canada.

On November 30, let us put an end to Bouchard's tricks. Let us vote for a better future for all. Let us vote for truth. Let us vote Liberal.

[Lebanon, November 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday was Lebanese Independence Day. Tomorrow, Lebanon's new president, General Émile Lahoud, will be sworn in.

On behalf of the Canada-Lebanon Parliamentary Friendship Group, I would like to tell our Lebanese parliamentarian friends and the Lebanese Canadian community that we are committed to Lebanon and to the development of co-operative relations between our two countries.

As Canadian parliamentarians, we are fully supportive of the construction process taking place in that country. We are also in favour of the full and immediate implementation of United Nations resolution 425 regarding the integrity of the Lebanese territory.

On behalf of the chairman of the Canada-Lebanon Parliamentary Friendship Group, my colleague, the hon. member for Anjou—Rivière-des-Prairies, who will be representing the Canadian government tomorrow at President Lahoud's swearing-in ceremony, in Beirut, I would like to wish every success to the new Lebanese president and express our solidarity with our Lebanese parliamentarian friends in meeting the great challenges ahead.

[Election Campaign In Quebec, November 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, if the PQ were returned to power, work on a referendum would resume apace.

However, Quebeckers are no fools. They understand that the Bouchard referendum is another way to hold a referendum and that, for the next four years, we would again have the sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, with its uncertainties and problems.

According to Lucien Bouchard, Quebec cannot deny itself. However, Quebec has not only twice said no to separation, it has said no to another PQ referendum.

We do not want the winning conditions for a Bouchard referendum. We want guarantees of a better future for Quebeckers. This guarantee means a yes to a stronger Quebec within Canada.

On November 30, let us vote Liberal. On November 30, let us vote for a guaranteed future.