Denis Coderre

[Points of Order, June 14th, 2006]

I heard the President of Treasury Board say—I hope this will be investigated—that the remarks of the member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine were racist. She was accused of racism. So it is serious. This must be investigated.

There is something else. It is clear that, since last night, there is a problem with behaviour in this House. Some individuals made insincere apologies for having made rude gestures in this House. That is why we are talking about the French term “bras d'honneur”.

On behalf of all members, on behalf of all Canadians, I am asking that you investigate because the members for Nepean—Carleton and for Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière were not sincere when they apologized. When you look at the video, you can see that many Conservative members made the same gesture. I think this is disgraceful and, in addition, given that Canadians are watching us, you should investigate this matter.

[Points of Order, June 14th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the old Latin phrase delegatus non potest delegare means one cannot do directly what one cannot do indirectly. The behaviour of the leader of the government in attempting to use a poor translation and his subsequent conduct require formal apologies. He disrupted oral question period and offended not only the opposition leader, but also the member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine.

Now, I also heard—

[Points of Order, June 13th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, it is vital that decorum be maintained in this House. It seems that there is an epidemic among the Conservatives. The member for Nepean—Carleton made exactly the same gesture.

[Points of Order, June 13th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I have been a member of this House for nine years, something I am very proud of. I saw the member for Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière make a disgraceful gesture. He gave the finger to other members. I ask that he apologize, and I ask you, Mr. Speaker, to punish him accordingly.

[National Defence, June 13th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I am sweet enough all right, but I offer it anyway.

When the current Conservative turncoat Minister of International Trade was Minister of Industry, he put forward the national aerospace and defence strategic framework, in which he himself recognized the importance of this sector to security and the economy.

Does he still feel the same way today, that maintenance must stay in Canada?

[National Defence, June 13th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I have a box of chocolates here for the member who likes to quote Forrest Gump and treat everyone like Forrest Gump.

This is so he can get a life because life is like a box of chocolates. I have one for him here.

Mr. Speaker,--

[National Defence, June 13th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the entire Canadian Forces air fleet benefits from a maintenance program carried out by Canada's aeronautics industry.

The Conservatives' new communications strategy for the C-17s is now to make us believe that Canadians will be responsible for level one maintenance. That means changing the oil, refuelling and checking the planes' wiper fluid.

Will the Prime Minister finally show some respect for the excellent work done by some 75,000 Canadian workers and guarantee them full responsibility for maintaining these planes?

[National Defence, June 12th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I imagine that on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, the Minister of National Defence watches Republican Idol rather than Canadian Idolor Star Académie.

Even the United States will stop buying the C-17 after 2008, as mentioned recently in a Pentagon report.

Given that the Conservative government is preparing to hand over $4.5 billion to our southern neighbours and that, to my knowledge, the only person here who salivates at the mention of the Pentagon is our current Minister of National Defence, will the latter choose to protect Canadian interests or to help his Republican idols?

[National Defence, June 12th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Bush government wants to officially stop purchasing Boeing C-17 planes by 2008. It wants to free up funds for its own priorities. Clearly, Washington no longer needs Boeing C-17s.

However, Congress and military lobbyists—people who the current minister knows very well—want to apply pressure to continue procurement representing $3 billion per year and 30,000 jobs in 42 American states. Washington needs help.

Has the Prime Minister already discussed the purchase of these planes with his patron and mentor, President Bush? If yes, what has he promised him?

[First World Outgames, June 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, there seems to be a wave of panic and great uneasiness at the Prime Minister's Office these days.

July 29 will mark the opening of the first World Outgames, a major, inclusive event, where hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world will assemble.

My questions are straightforward.

Why does the Prime Minister refuse to attend the first World Outgames in Montreal this summer? Is he embarrassed? Is he afraid to be seen there? He can take someone along if he would like. Does he have something against the event? What is the problem?