Denis Lebel

[Employment, November 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' economic plan is not working.

Last week, the parliamentary budget officer informed us that no full-time jobs were created in Canada last year. Even worse, the number of jobs created last year was down by 50% compared to the average number of jobs we created in the past five years. We were criticized for having a plan that did not work. It did work.

I imagine that the Minister of Finance is going to say the same old things while he spends even more money to get a different result.

The Liberals' plan is not working. What are they going to do?

[Employment, October 27th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, this morning we learned from the parliamentary budget officer that 50% fewer jobs were created over the past year compared to the previous five-year average.

The past five years include the worst economic crisis since the Second World War. It was the previous government that had to deal with that crisis, and yet we still created twice as many jobs. The Liberals are going to tell me everything they have done since they took office, but it simply is not working.

Can someone tell the House what they are going to do starting today? Their plan is not working.

[National Defence, October 27th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, seven months ago, in March, my colleague from Louis-Saint-Laurent personally handed the Prime Minister a letter from Lucie Laperle.

In that letter, Ms. Laperle outlined the problems she experienced in the Canadian Armed Forces, including discriminatory events. That is very serious.

Does Ms. Laperle have to buy a $1,500 ticket to a fundraising event to get a response?

[International Trade, October 26th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the Europeans must be very proud to hear that they are not doing their job.

If I understand correctly, my colleague is saying that Mr. Barroso did not do his job when he came to Canada to speak with Mr. Harper about that agreement. There was an agreement, but the Liberals could not close the deal. Perhaps we should have stayed.

That said, do the Liberals want our 400,000 forestry workers to pay $1,500 each to attend a fundraising event so that they can finally resolve the softwood lumber issue?

[International Trade, October 26th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has proven that he is incapable of signing major trade agreements.

Why does the Prime Minister prefer taking part in fundraising activities for the Liberal Party over signing trade agreements that would benefit all Canadians?

[Regional Economic Development, October 25th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, for eight years, I had the honour of serving as the minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. From Sept-Îles to Hemmingford, from Val-d'Or to Longueuil, I travelled all over Quebec.

I have nothing against the minister and I am not familiar with the Mississauga region, but I can say that, in Quebec, it is important to understand the uniqueness of each region. When it comes time to create jobs, it is really difficult.

Will the government finally sign the softwood lumber deal? If the deal with Europe falls through, can we at least reach a deal for softwood lumber?

[Regional Economic Development, October 25th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is going to eliminate the position of minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. This is a slap in the face to the regions of Quebec, which are losing someone who specifically listened to their needs.

Worse still, none of the other 39 Liberal members from Quebec are standing up and saying that this is not right and that we must defend the regions.

Do they realize that, to help the regions, it takes people who are very familiar with each region of the country?

Will the Liberals keep those positions, and will any members from Quebec stand up and say that it makes no sense to eliminate them?

[International Trade, October 24th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the government is simply incapable of signing major trade deals. The former government was off to a good start, and that effort would have resulted in a signed deal. We are now moving backwards.

Since the Minister of International Trade seems to have thrown in the towel, will the Prime Minister pack his bags, go and meet with the leaders of the European Community, and sign this historic agreement for the future and the welfare of all provinces of Canada?

[International Trade, October 24th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, last week, we watched the Minister of International Trade throw her hands up in despair and leave the negotiating table of the economic agreement with Europe. It is the same government that has been unable to sign major trade agreements like the softwood lumber agreement and the TPP.

Will the Prime Minister sign Canada's largest trade deal since NAFTA before it is too late?

[International Trade, October 24th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, last week, we watched the Minister of International Trade leave the negotiating table for the economic agreement with Europe. She threw up her hands in despair and abandoned the negotiations. The government is unable to sign major trade agreements such as the trans-Pacific partnership and the softwood lumber agreement.

This is Canada's largest trade deal since NAFTA. Will the Prime Minister ensure that Canada signs the agreement with Europe before it is too late?