House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 41% of the vote.
National Defence May 12th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General just tabled a report with some troubling information regarding National Defence. It is saying it was unable to get enough accurate information to senior managers in time for them to decide how to spend surplus money within their department budget.
We will permanently lose $300 million made available to the department and the minister, who said they are desperately needed funds for our troops. Why is it so?
Sport May 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, people are not interested in quotations. They are interested in making ends meet. That is what is important.
On another note, I would like to wake up the Minister of State (Sport), who seems to be taking a nap over there.
Alex Harvey, one of our greatest cross-country skiing Olympic hopefuls, has been given the cold shoulder by Cross Country Canada because he chose to train alone for a while rather than train with the team in the United States. He was downgraded from the A squad to the B squad, and will receive between $15,000 and $20,000 less support to participate in the World Cup, a critical step toward participating in the Vancouver Games in front of a home crowd.
Will the minister make sure that Cross Country Canada reconsiders its decision and allows Alex Harvey to pursue his Olympic dream?
Enough with the power trip—
Employment Insurance May 6th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, last Monday, the Minister of National Revenue shut out people in need. In response to the Liberal proposal to reduce the employment insurance eligibility requirement to 360 hours, the minister said, “We are not open to that idea”. Yesterday, however, when someone pointed out that the Minister of Finance's own wife, Christine Elliott, had warned him about this, he said that he was open to suggestions for improving the employment insurance program.
Canadians deserve better. Who speaks on behalf of the government, the National Revenue minister of bits and pieces or the Minister of Finance?
Seal Hunt May 5th, 2009
Madam Chair, the fact is that we have to find solutions to protect families. We should not talk about one region versus another. As Quebeckers, as Canadians, regardless of region, we must develop the tools we need to do this. We absolutely need to work with the public to convince them. That is a fact.
But perhaps we need to do things differently. The first thing we need to do is to say that this issue transcends partisan politics. We need to tell the public that, as Canadians, we must work together to help the families that are suffering. The people who are watching us do not want pointless debates. They want to know what we are doing. Today, I want to tell them officially that our party, on this side of the House, will support them and will act accordingly.
Seal Hunt May 5th, 2009
Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for his question.
It is clear, and has been for some time, that even the Liberal government had a unified voice. I do not know if the minister is trying to tell us that we are divided, but the Liberal Party of Canada is united and will work in a united manner. One voice may be heard, but it is not speaking for the party, only for itself. If I start looking through the people who represent other political parties, perhaps I will find a discordant voice.
The reality is that our party supports any action that will make it possible to protect the sealing industry. It is important to do so. We therefore have to act accordingly, in terms of processing, developing markets, and working to ensure that things happen in Canada as well. This is why I referred just now to the use of seal heart valves for medical purposes.
The important thing is to show solidarity, to join hands and work together. Unfortunately, when we look at the outcome of the vote in the European Parliament, we might ask ourselves some questions about implementation of the strategy. Perhaps some things have not worked. I would like to know, for instance, whether enough had been done in connection with the embassies. Did our negotiator do things in the right way? Did he have all the tools he needed? But most certainly, we have to present a united front of all parties in this the House.
Seal Hunt May 5th, 2009
The other side can talk all it likes, but I think that is important. Indeed, I have already received dozens of emails. A dozen or so emails from the Magdalen Islands represent, on a per capita basis, thousands of signatures from a city. We must work accordingly.
Both sides of the House have a tremendous amount of experience when it comes to governance, and if there is one word we must remember today, it is “solidarity”. We must reach out and work together. We are going to use the summit in Prague as an opportunity to send a clear message.
Perhaps we should go back to the European Parliament and show them that, in accordance with international standards, the animals do not suffer. Perhaps we need to exert greater pressure. If we take this to the WTO's tribunal, it will take years and years to resolve, as we know. That does not put food in the refrigerator.
We must find a way to ask that Canada benefit from an exemption, since our practices are sustainable and we are protecting the species. However, if we do nothing, not only would families suffer, but the wildlife would feel the effects as well.
Seal Hunt May 5th, 2009
Madam Chair, I am rising today out of solidarity. I am rising today to tell our fellow citizens, whether they are from Quebec, the Maritimes, the north, or elsewhere, that we were taken for a ride. Therefore, it is essential today that we go beyond partisanship and that we give ourselves the tools to protect the livelihood of the many families that are going to suffer the most.
As members of Parliament, we are here to conduct our business, but today some people are watching us and they want to know what is going to happen to them. This evening, I am not speaking as the critic on national defence issues but, rather, as the Quebec lieutenant of our Leader of the Opposition.
I know that some Quebeckers are watching us right now, and I want them to know that this party and all parties must work hand in hand. We must use the Prague summit to tell Europe and the European Union that what has happened is unacceptable. If we do not do anything, if we do not react, the European Union will not be the only one to act in this fashion. Asia will also do it.
Today, we have all talked about numbers. We know that this activity accounts for 30% of the income of these families, and these families do not make big salaries. Therefore, we must work together. I am not rising only because I am a Quebecker. Frankly, I was upset, during oral question period, with the answer given by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Instead of showing solidarity, she told us that, unlike the Liberals, her party was defending the seal hunt. That is totally unacceptable. We have always worked very hard to protect seal hunters and that industry.
Therefore, I would ask the government to be less partisan. We are having this debate today because we want to work hand in hand to make a difference and help those who are going to suffer the most. I do not have to stress the critical importance of that industry. That industry may also allow us to do something else. A German scientist has discovered that we can transplant the heart valve of a seal. From a medical perspective, this could lead to an extraordinary industry. We could get involved in processing activities. Seals can be used for many things. They provide food and fuel. Moreover, sealskin can, of course, be processed for our use.
Of course we will always remember Brigitte Bardot and the crying baby seal in 1987. Those days are over. I would like our Prime Minister, who is in Prague, to recognize that there is a problem and that if we want to save the industry, we need to have fewer cocktail parties and admit that there might be a cause and effect relationship between current negotiations and the situation facing the seal industry.
Health April 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, at at his scrum this morning, the Minister of State (Agriculture) was not clear about what will happen to seasonal Mexican workers. The Quebec agriculture sector, in particular, is very dependent on these workers, as he knows. They have already started arriving in Canada.
He says that two doctors will be assigned to monitor 15,000 Mexican workers. However, can he guarantee that the workers will be examined before setting foot on the plane? Although we are hoping for the best, if something does happen, is there a plan B to replace these workers? Farmers need them.
Forestry Industry April 20th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, that answer is appalling. The government has abandoned workers and regions that depend on the forestry industry. Now the government is planning to set up a special committee. Recently in Quebec City, the Minister of National Revenue told us that there are to be no loan guarantees, and now the committee is supposed to discuss access to credit.
Is the Prime Minister ready to change his mind if the committee says that there should be loan guarantees to help forestry workers?
Point of Order March 31st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I wish to make it clear. We are not waging an attack against the Bloc Québécois today. The member for Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière called the member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie the “token member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie”.
Today we have to raise the level of our game somewhat. I too am not without fault. But to call people “tokens” even if claiming it is just common parlance, when coupled with the tone and attitude that went along with it, can be construed as an attack against their legitimacy.
It is not a matter of one against the other. All members in this House need to act responsibly.