Denis Coderre

[Millenium Scholarships, March 31st, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, one can say that the meeting the Prime Minister and the Premier of Quebec had about the millennium scholarships was successful.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister stated again that this program that will help hundreds of students to complete their studies will complement existing programs in Quebec. Quebeckers will know where the money for their training comes from and the Premier of Quebec did not object to that principle.

Let us just hope that the Premier of Quebec will keep thinking that way throughout the negotiation process undertaken to harmonize the federal program with Quebec's priorities, so that this issue can be resolved successfully.

I urge the Government of Quebec to keep an open mind throughout these talks so that Quebec can fully benefit from this innovative project that will prepare a whole generation to meet the challenges of the next millennium.

By the way, way to go B.C.

[Judges Act, March 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the measures and the strategies of the previous Conservative government have nothing to do with the current government.

[Criminal Code, March 30th, 1998]

Open your eyes.

[Budget Implementation Act, 1998, March 24th, 1998]

Yes, I did listen to you. The budget had a positive effect, not only for child care centres, but also for SMBs and young people. I did not receive one complaint at my riding office. Everyone knows how much I am present and I get a lot of calls and mail.

[Budget Implementation Act, 1998, March 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, would you ask the member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot to be quiet and stop calling me a liar? A chihuahua on the other side has started yapping too much for my liking.

Could you ask him to cool his jets and settle down? When he spoke, I let him speak.

One thing is sure—

[Budget Implementation Act, 1998, March 24th, 1998]

I would send him packing, but that is my problem.

One thing is sure, when you look at the facts—

[Budget Implementation Act, 1998, March 24th, 1998]

The member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot is calling me a liar—

[Budget Implementation Act, 1998, March 24th, 1998]

An excellent question, Mr. Speaker.

The proof that truth hurts and that the budget has had an impact comes when I hear members of the Bloc on the other side constantly whining and making comments. I understand how extraordinary a budget it was.

When you take a rational look at the budget—without the venom—it is clear it has a positive impact and represents a fine beginning.

You have to understand one thing. Quebeckers look at the financial impact, the impact in terms of bursaries, for example. What do they say? They say “Finally, we have a government that keeps its promises”.

[Budget Implementation Act, 1998, March 24th, 1998]

Thirty-four.

We are giving opportunities to young people. I believe in dynamism. The budget is not the only thing. We have also introduced measures relating to small and medium size businesses, via my hon. colleague, the member for Outremont and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada, which in conjunction with this budget will enable us to create jobs.

I remind my hon. colleague that this is working amazingly well, as close to one million jobs have been created in the past five years. These are facts that attest to good management.

[Budget Implementation Act, 1998, March 24th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I will tell my hon. colleague that this budget clearly contains tax relief measures.

Not only are we investing in knowledge, but a decision has also been made to make a substantial increase in development, in research councils. These are things that will have an impact.

I will also remind the House that lightening the debt load will also have a psychological effect on motivating young people. It is hard for a young person not to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We have a saying in my part of the country “If you're not a revolutionary at 20, you'll end up a pastry cook by the time you're 40”.