Denis Lebel

[Softwood Lumber, September 27th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, obviously, the number one concern for Canadians is jobs. We can create jobs by approving projects and we can protect jobs by making decisions and negotiating things like a new softwood lumber deal with the Americans, for instance.

The former Liberal government abandoned the forestry industry, which suffered the consequences for years. October 12 is just around the corner. I hope we can reach a deal with the United States so that we can continue logging. I hope this issue does not have to go to court.

Is the Prime Minister willing to make a commitment to the forestry industry?

[Government Expenditures, September 26th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we also learned on the weekend that the Minister of Foreign Affairs' chief of staff was going to have to repay an additional $32,000 in expenses, which is about what a salesperson in Quebec makes.

It was an expense that he had agreed to pay. The Minister of Foreign Affairs says one thing and the Prime Minister says another. They are contradicting one another.

We expect the government to be rigorous and not to give in on delicate matters. We do not know when they are going to balance the budget.

When will the government do due diligence?

[Foreign Affairs, September 26th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, probably the Prime Minister needs a comprehensive discussion with his minister.

This weekend, the Minister of Foreign Affairs shed some light on the negotiations with China on extradition. He said:

Your paper should check the facts. There is no negotiation. To write like pretending it is, it is wrong. Stop that please.

That is what the minister said, though last week the Prime Minister said that Canada has indeed entered into negotiations with China on an extradition treaty.

Let us check the facts. Who tells the truth to Canadians, the Prime Minister or the minister?

[Foreign Affairs, September 26th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Liberals confirmed that they were negotiating an extradition treaty with China.

I would remind members that none of our allies have signed such a treaty. Neither Australia nor the United States has signed such a treaty. However, on the weekend, the Minister of Foreign Affairs denied that there were any such negotiations.

If the Prime Minister signs this extradition agreement, we will be seen as the accomplice of a country whose justice system has the worst human rights record.

Who is telling the truth, the Prime Minister or the Minister of Foreign Affairs?

[Softwood Lumber, September 21st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the former minister of international trade began the discussions. The negotiations were under way. He began the discussions with our American partners. At that time, the agreement was still valid for another year. That year went by while the current government dragged its feet. It is easy to put all the blame on the former government, but the Liberals are in power. They wanted to be in power. Now, they must make decisions. They need to make a decision on this issue and sign the agreement in the best interest of Quebeckers and Canadians.

[Softwood Lumber, September 21st, 2016]

Yes, the climate will balance itself, Mr. Speaker.

The issues that people across the country talk to us about are jobs and having enough money to support their families. There are issues that can be dealt with now. Take, for example, the softwood lumber issue. The government promised a solution after 100 days of deliberations and discussions, but nothing has been resolved yet.

Will the Prime Minister please commit today to telling all families who depend on the forestry industry that there will be an agreement that will satisfy Canadian workers?

[Softwood Lumber, September 20th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the president of a union affiliated with the FTQ, which received a larger tax credit than others from this government, will obviously agree and have nothing but good things to say.

The fact is that things are at a standstill. Sixty-five per cent of Canadian softwood exports go to the United States. In my riding, 70% of the economy relies on forestry, and these people have delivered nothing.

It is fine to say that discussions are ongoing. However, when the minister returned last week, she said that they would have to go to court.

Are we treating our American partners with respect by taking legal action against them?

[Softwood Lumber, September 20th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, since this Parliament began, I have been saying that the softwood lumber issue is urgent and that hundreds of thousands of jobs are at stake.

Trips to New York are all well and good, but nothing ever comes of them. This government is all talk and no action. It never delivers results.

Will the government let these workers keep their jobs? In 2006, Canada signed an agreement that worked quite well. Why is this government incapable of signing an agreement? Dialogue is a good thing, but a monologue where only the Americans are talking is not getting us anywhere.

[Softwood Lumber, September 19th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, another area that is very important for our country's economy is the softwood lumber industry. In fact, 400,000 jobs depend on it.

In 2006, we rectified a situation. People waited 10 years for the former Liberal government to find a solution to the problem, and we are the ones who solved it. Since then, Canadian businesses have been able to export their products to the United States with relative ease.

The government made big promises, including a good relationship with the United States. Meanwhile, the Minister of International Trade has said that Canada will turn to the courts. What a great idea. Let us take our American partners to court rather than coming to an agreement with them.

Why are the Liberals unable to settle this matter with the Americans through negotiations?

[Finance, September 19th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, in the last fiscal year, this government turned a large operating surplus into a deficit. The current government is spending non-stop.

The government does not have a plan for returning to a balanced budget. The Minister of Finance is talking about a plan for the future that involves making our grandchildren pay off his debt. That is his plan for the future.

When will the government present its plan for returning to a balanced budget?