Denis Lebel

[Forestry Industry, March 22nd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, our government has probably done more for the forestry industry of Canada, including Quebec, than any other government. Unfortunately, as we all know, demand for forest products, from paper to pulp to lumber, is down because of the global economic crisis. I imagine that those opposite also know this.

The agreement that was signed returned $5 billion to Canada; there is $1 billion for greening of “black liquor” operations; we have provided $1 billion for community adjustment; and I could go on. Our government is following developments very closely, and will continue to do so.

[Forestry Industry, March 22nd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's 12,000 auto workers must be very proud to hear our colleague.

Last week, we met with the Forest Products Association of Canada, whose membership includes companies operating in Quebec such as AbitibiBowater, Cascades, F.F. Soucy, Kruger, Louisiana-Pacific Canada, Papiers Masson, SFK Pâte and TemBec. It confirmed that the government is moving in the right direction to build the forestry industry of tomorrow and develop biotechnologies.

[Tax Harmonization, March 19th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the negotiations between Quebec and our government will continue.

I would remind my colleague opposite that, since our government has been in power, the amount of federal transfers has never been so high in Canadian history. This year, $19.3 billion will be transferred to Quebec along with $8.8 billion in equalization payments.

Quebec certainly did not give this money to itself. It comes from the Government of Canada this year.

[Tax Harmonization, March 19th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, 18 years is still not as long as the Bloc has been here, but we will have results in the end.

We are still in negotiations with the Government of Quebec. Of course, things change. There are always things to clarify with that government. In good faith, the two governments will reach an agreement, but there are still a lot of things to resolve.

[Forestry Industry, March 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, this should come as no surprise. Since I was first elected to this House, whenever something is said by any of the Bloc's partners, they find ways to spin it for two weeks.

The Forest Products Association of Canada said that our budget was a step in the right direction, towards building tomorrow's forestry economy through biotechnology. We will not resort to the same smoke-and-mirrors tricks used by the Bloc.

EDC invested $20 billion worth of goods over two years to support the Quebec forestry industry. We will learn what those products consist of at a later date. The member does not seem to understand this.

[Forestry Industry, March 5th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, in order to sell wood, one needs buyers. Right now, demand for our forestry products—softwood lumber and pulp and paper—is soft. We will continue to develop markets for these products.

As for loan guarantees, it seems to me that they just do not want to see them. Anyone can visit Export Development Canada's website. EDC supports industry across Canada in all sectors. It offers loan guarantees, accounts receivable insurance and access to credit. It has made some $20 billion in financial products available to Quebec's forestry industry over two years. Of course, it is easy to avoid seeing the truth. We are not just talking; we are taking action.

[Forestry Industry, March 5th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois is up to its usual tricks: disinformation and twisting the facts.

Quebec's forestry industry is governed by an agreement that we signed with our American partners at the request of the provinces and the forestry industry, an agreement that allows us to export wood to the United States.

The Bloc knows very well that the auto sector is subject to an agreement among the United States, Ontario and Canada in a free market. It is apples and oranges. They are trying to make political hay, but we are taking care of workers and we will not sink to the Bloc's level of rhetoric.

[Economic Action Plan, March 4th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, our government is holding a steady course on job protection and economic growth. We will continue to create and maintain jobs thanks to the 12,000 stimulus projects currently underway across the country.

We will start to reduce the deficit when the economy is back on track and we will also open up new markets for Canadian goods and services.

We have consulted Canadians across the country and they want our government to continue to focus on the economy and not be like the members across the way who have done nothing but talk for almost 20 years now.

We are assuming our responsibilities and we will continue to do so.

[Textile Industry, December 8th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, throughout 2009, we put money into the CANtex program to continue our support of the Quebec textile industry. The reason there is no more money is because it has all been allocated, because we gave money all year long.

Of course we will continue to support the economic diversification of Quebec regions, including the textile industry. We plan to review the programs in the coming weeks.

[Forestry Industry, November 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I must remind my colleague that the softwood lumber agreement was introduced to protect the Canadian forestry industry and, of course, Quebec's industry. The U.S. domestic market absorbs the entire U.S. softwood lumber production. We will continue to work to support the Canadian and Quebec forestry industry in order to allow them to continue to export the softwood lumber produced in the regions of Quebec and the rest of the country.

The automobile industry does not have such an agreement. It is a free market. We will continue to support Quebec's forestry industry.