House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 33% of the vote.
Economic Development November 15th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, it is very surprising to see the Bloc's critic defending the banking system, when nearly every question period he attacks the banking sector. An organization's partners are what create an institution like that. We analyze the merits of every funding request our department receives. We will continue to do so diligently.
Forestry Industry November 5th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, as of October 31, 2010, Export Development Canada had helped Quebec's forestry industry by providing credit support, accounts receivable insurance and loan guarantees totalling $7.6 billion.
We are developing new products and new markets. We are very proud of what our government has done. However, the Bloc Québécois has voted against all the measures that have been put forward in recent years.
Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec November 2nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his excellent question. Indeed, we must prevent the leader of the coalition from achieving his goal of centralizing the economic development agencies. Since he spent 34 years outside the country, he probably does not know that the Economic Development Agency of Canada already makes its decisions in the regions. They are made by people working in the regions.
Yesterday he said he wants to decentralize the agency, yet he insisted on creating a single national strategy. This shows a lack of respect for the economic players in the regions and for the public servants who work tirelessly for regional economic growth. The people—
Economic Action Plan October 26th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the member is a good man.
Our country's economic and fiscal leadership is indisputable. This Conservative government's economic action plan is enabling Canadians and Quebeckers to take advantage of an enviable situation, with lower taxes and major investments in infrastructure and skills training. Quebeckers are thrilled about this economic action plan. Employment has continued to increase, to the tune of 15,000 new jobs in September 2010, for a total of 122,000 new jobs, out of the 420,000 across the country.
While the armchair critics in the Bloc do nothing but vote against us and criticize us, we are delivering the goods for Quebeckers.
Aerospace Industry October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, Quebec's entire aerospace industry supports our government on this. Let us stop playing politics on this issue, even though it may be hard to resist.
I will read the quote from Pratt & Whitney president John Saabas that my colleague was referring to earlier: “The Canadian industry is ready to step up, but a decision needs to be made now. If we miss the boat, two years from now we will have a hard time making up lost ground...and recovering lost jobs.” Some people may not understand this, but people in the aerospace industry do.
Aerospace Industry October 8th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague said earlier, a competitive process took place between 1997 and 2001 under the previous government. Since then, the project has moved forward with nine partner countries. I will read a quote from Claude Lajeunesse, a Quebecker and president of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada: “We are calling on political leaders from all parties to support the government's decision. We do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past, because they will surely be more costly than ever before for our industry, for our military, and ultimately, for the nation” and for Quebec's aerospace sector.
Infrastructure October 6th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, three weeks ago, the Bloc realized that there was a infrastructure plan because the mayors spoke to them about it. Before that, it was not on their radar. In fact, the Bloc members voted against it. We will continue to work with the mayors from all of Quebec's cities, and the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities is in touch with his Quebec government counterpart. Discussions are under way and, as usual, we will keep our promises.
Infrastructure October 5th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, if it were left up to the Bloc, all the machinery would still be in the contractors’ backyards. There would be thousands of excess pipes because not a single project would have been completed. Our government has made these projects happen. As usual, we will be fair and reasonable.
Infrastructure October 5th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, over the weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Fédération Québécoise des Municipalités convention alongside 1,100 mayors. I had a number of conversations with people who praised the results of our Economic Action Plan. We talked about the thousands of projects completed throughout Canada. Discussions are underway regarding the current projects between my colleague, the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Quebec government. We are awaiting the outcome of those discussions. We will be fair and reasonable, as usual.
Government Spending September 28th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague knows, this process started in 1997 and led to a decision made by the former government in 2001. Our government worked with eight other countries. Nine countries pooled armed forces resources to select the best equipment for our armed forces. This will result in billions of dollars in economic spinoffs for the country's aerospace industry, much of which is in Quebec. We keep our promises.