Mr. Speaker, as mentioned, this matter is before the courts. I spent the summer touring the regions of Quebec. No one wants a referendum, and the federal government certainly cannot be reproached for defending federal legislation.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 33% of the vote.
Intergovernmental Relations October 22nd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, as mentioned, this matter is before the courts. I spent the summer touring the regions of Quebec. No one wants a referendum, and the federal government certainly cannot be reproached for defending federal legislation.
Intergovernmental Relations October 17th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, yesterday's Speech from the Throne includes initiatives for the whole country. Of course, the Bloc member wants to take Quebec out of Canada, but we do not. The sovereignty proposed by this member has nothing to do with what I want for Quebec. I want a very strong province of Quebec in a united Canada. With the Speech from the Throne, we are going to continue to ensure that Quebec becomes stronger in this great country called Canada.
Questions on the Order Paper June 7th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, with regard to the 2013-14 main estimates for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, with respect to (a), there were no positions eliminated following the 2013-14 main estimates.
With respect to (b), the agency confirms that the amount allocated for expenditures on professional and special services would be based on estimates. Actual expenditures, including the details requested, will only be available once the year is over.
With respect to (c), information on the eligibility and assessment criteria for projects submitted under the community infrastructure improvement fund can be found on its website at http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/eng/programs/qedp/ciif.html.
Health June 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, it is unbelievable. Now the water pressure in Quebec City's water system is the federal government's responsibility.
The hon. member absolutely does not understand how this works. Does he think we needed an invitation from an NDP MP to go to the Port of Québec? That happened a long time ago.
He met with the representatives of the port in April and they explained everything to him. He said he was satisfied, but today he still does not get it. If he cannot figure this out, then let him come see me and I will explain it to him.
Air Transportation June 5th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, Canada's airline industry is based on a user-pay principle. Other countries have chosen different options, but here, people who use the air transportation system pay for its services. We have excellent airline service in our country.
We will continue to support airlines across the country by putting in place infrastructure, security measures and regulations that allow them to run a successful business.
Our system operates on a user-pay principle.
Health June 3rd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, from the beginning, the member has been speaking with the people at the Port of Québec on a regular basis.
On April 3, the member met with management of the port authority, but he does not seem to understand the explanations he was given.
At the meeting with the president and CEO, Mario Girard, they told him about everything that was happening, and he said he was pleased with what he saw and with the action taken to correct the situation. He said that he was truly reassured. The member seems to go any which way the wind blows. I believe the best direction is the one the Port of Québec is going in.
Air Transportation June 3rd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, at Transport Canada, safety is the top priority in every region of the country. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has invested $38 million in 20 safety-related projects in airports in the north. Canada has one of the safest transportation systems in the world, and it gets even stronger every single year.
Infrastructure June 3rd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, it was an honour to announce the biggest infrastructure plan in this country's history, made possible by this Prime Minister, in our latest budget.
This NDP member still does not understand. He thinks that we need to manage cities on behalf of mayors. I know that some MPs would like to become mayor, since they think that we have to manage everything from Ottawa. The city of Montreal is managed by the mayor of Montreal. We will not start deciding which streets to pave. That is what the member would like us to do.
We make the money available, and it will be there.
Infrastructure June 3rd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, let me quote Michael Roschlau, president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association: “Never before has a federal government invested so much in public transit”. We have been a great partner since 2006 for public transit. We will continue to do so, and I hope they will vote for the budget.
Fair Rail Freight Service Act May 29th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, let me quote some representatives of organizations on this bill.
Jim Facette, president and CEO, Canadian Propane Association said:
The new legislation respects the commercial nature of the relationship between the railway carrier and the propane shipper, but also addresses the recommendations of the Rail Freight Service Review Panel. It contains all of the measures that the propane industry requested – the right to a Service-Level Agreement, an arbitration process should commercial negotiations fail, and consequences for non-compliance. The propane industry is pleased to support the Fair Rail Freight Service Act. It is our hope that the Act, coupled with recent improvements we have seen from the railways, will enhance competition and promote positive relationships between the railways and the shippers.
Greg Cherewyk, executive director of Pulse Canada, said:
Every step in this process is just that, a single step towards the goal of a more predictable and reliable supply chain that makes Canadian businesses more competitive in the international marketplace.
This is what business men and women want. They want to create jobs. They want to have this discussion and this bill done. That is what we will deliver for them.