Denis Coderre

[Speech From The Throne, October 2nd, 1997]

He said the Liberal Party was putting pressure on certain company CEOs in several ridings. It is unacceptable and I ask that he withdraw that statement.

[Speech From The Throne, October 2nd, 1997]

I have a point of order, Madam Speaker. I object to a member making false allegations leading to unfounded accusations. I ask that the member withdraw his comments.

[Quebec Premier, October 1st, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, who would think that I too would be a member of the perpetually humiliated club.

I thought this exclusive club was limited to members of the BQ and the PQ and separatists of all stripes. I was wrong. I too have become a humiliated Quebecker and I too have rent a number of items of clothing after seeing the Quebec premier grovelling before the French government in an effort to get a yes he never got.

It was sad to watch Lucien Bouchard clutching a bit of paper telling journalists what President Chirac had just told him. Imagine: “I have just told you what President Chirac has just allowed me to tell you”.

I am disappointed and embarrassed to watch the premier of Quebec asking for a favour from France as a cat might come asking to be patted. It is pathetic.

Quebeckers deserve better than this deplorable colonialist spectacle. When is the next statue due?

[Supply, September 30th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, first I want to congratulate my dear friend and colleague from Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot on his election. Three days before the federal election, we had a lively debate, and I feel I am once again at the Taverne Magnan. Those who are from Quebec will know that, in Montreal, the Taverne Magnan is almost like the agora, except that alcoholic beverages are served.

Whenever someone speaks on behalf of the Bloc Quebecois, it feels like I am listening over and over to the same cassette. The only thing different is the name of the person speaking. Otherwise, it is always the same baloney.

I am impressed to see that many outraged members across the floor. We hear them whine, if I can put it that way, and it is terrible to see them continually say the same thing.

When we took over, our country was going bankrupt. We inherited a deficit from the Conservatives. But we made the right decisions and now the deficit has almost been eliminated. The member spoke about health programs. We are giving $1.5 billion back to the provinces for these programs. By harmonizing its sales tax with the GST, Quebec made money.

How can the member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot make such statements when he knows full well that the facts do not match the content of his cassette and cliches?

[Quebec Premier, September 29th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, Quebecers are upset by the attitude of the separatists. The priority of all Quebecers is to get the economy moving once again. The Government of Canada is doing its share, but if the Bouchard government continues to represent the interests of the separatists only, Quebecers will never reap the benefits.

By continuing to represent only the interests of the separatists, Lucien Bouchard is showing that he does not care about all Quebecers. On his arrival in France for a so called economic mission, the first thing he did when he got out of the plane was to talk to the French about separation again. Now we have even the Conseil du Patronat français acknowledging that the temporary removal of the threat of referendum in Quebec has permitted a settling of interest rates, with all due respect to Mr. Bouchard.

It is high time that the separatists of Lucien Bouchard started working for the welfare of all Quebecers.

[Speech From The Throne, September 26th, 1997]

Hear, hear.

[Speech From The Throne, September 26th, 1997]

Madam Speaker, I also take this opportunity to congratulate you on your excellent appointment. It is once again someone from Quebec, a French Canadian woman, who was appointed by the government, through the Prime Minister.

I was listening to the members of the club of the outraged, if I can put it that way. These people never feel free; they feel hard done by. However, given what their head office in Quebec City, more specifically the real leader of the Bloc Quebecois, Lucien Bouchard, is doing, I hope the hon. member opposite will be every bit as critical of his own people. If the member has any human sentiment, as he claims he does, he must have little sympathy for Minister Trudel, who is doing terrible things to municipalities.

I was in Chicoutimi last week and, once again, through the federal office of regional development and the Minister of Industry, we showed that we believe in partnership, that we can work with provincial organizations. We provided funding for another industrial chair at the Université du Québec in Chicoutimi. Again, this initiative will help improve people's quality of life.

A general council was recently held in Lévis. French Canadians from other provinces were once again left out in the cold. When it suits its purposes, the Bloc Quebecois speaks on behalf of French Canadians living outside Quebec. However, when it does not suit its needs, it just forgets about them.

I would like to know if the hon. member recognizes the French Canadian people, because the other side often plays the same cassette on the concept of people. Is there a French Canadian people?

[Université Du Québec À Chicoutimi, September 24th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday I had the pleasure of announcing on behalf of the Government of Canada the investment of $750,000 over five years, via the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council, in a new industrial engineering chair at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi.

The professor currently holding that chair, Masoud Farzaneh, will study the impact of freezing rain on power transmission network equipment. Two industrial partners, Hydro-Quebec and Alcan, have also contributed to the funding of this chair.

Creation of this chair is evidence of the Liberal government's desire to work in conjunction with our partners in industry, the universities and provincial agencies to develop new knowledge which will improve electrical service and eliminate power outages caused by precipitation freezing on transmission lines.

This is further evidence that Canada is working to ensure the success of all Quebecers.