Diane Bourgeois

[International Cooperation, April 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the government has expressed its agreement with the UN objective of having each country give 0.7% of its gross national product in international aid by 2005.

The Prime Minister had no hesitation appearing on stage with the singer Bono, where he made international aid commitments. With this new policy, he has shown today that he does not want to do anything, or not much, and that he does not keep his word. Why?

[Pope Benedict XVI, April 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, after two days of conclave in Vatican City, an enthusiastic crowd in St. Peter's Square watched as white smoke appeared from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel announcing the election of a new Pope.

The 115 cardinals from 52 countries have chosen Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany to succeed John Paul II. Cardinal Ratzinger has taken the name Benedict XVI.

Many important challenges await Pope Benedict XVI. Among other things, he will have to carry on the diplomatic efforts of his predecessor in favour of reconciliation.

This is a day of celebration for Catholics worldwide. They have a new spiritual leader at the head of their Church. We wish him a good pontificate.

[Workplace Psychological Harassment Prevention Act, April 7th, 2005]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-360, an act to prevent psychological harassment in the workplace and to amend the Canada Labour Code.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I table this bill before you.

This enactment defines psychological harassment and abuse of power, requires the public service of Canada to provide its employees with employment free of psychological harassment and requires every employee of the public service of Canada to disclose behaviour that is contrary to these principles.

The enactment also provides for the exercise of recourse, the imposition of fines and the taking of remedial action when an employee who has made a disclosure is subjected to retaliation.

Lastly, the enactment amends the Canada Labour Code to prohibit acts of psychological harassment.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Zahra Kazemi, April 4th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, last week, Dr. Shahram Azam eloquently and courageously revealed the details of the brutal rape and torture that Zahra Kazemi endured.

Despite this information, it seems that the Iranian government has no intention of getting to the bottom of this case. It is time for the Canadian government to put its words into action in order for justice to be served in this important matter, by taking this case to the International Court of Justice. Furthermore, Canada must do everything in its power to ensure nothing like this ever happens again. This tragic story must also prompt the government to develop better means of protecting individuals with dual citizenship. Words are not enough, and the government must take concrete action so that Zahra Kazemi's death does not remain unpunished.

[Métrostar Gala, March 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, last night the Métrostar Gala paid tribute to the artists of Quebec television.

While people pretty well around the world are hooked on American television series, it is fascinating to see how faithful the Quebec audience is to its own TV serials. In Quebec, the actors and actresses are part of our families. This is yet another expression of Quebec's difference.

To mark the 20th edition of this event, the audience was asked to choose the television personality who had made the greatest mark in the past 20 years. The person selected was Dominique Michel. Who can forget her brilliant comedy in the series, Moi et l'autre , or her performances in the Bye Bye reviews?

The Bloc Québécois salutes the dazzling artist nominees and expresses its pride in the winners in every category. In particular, we congratulate the winners of the Métrostar awards, Guylaine Tremblay and Rémy Girard.

Thank you and bravo to the entire artistic community of Quebec. We are proud of you.

[Foreign Credential Recognition Program, March 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, usually the parties agree on presenting amendments to bills and motions.

First, we were not aware that this amendment was going to be introduced. Second, you read it aloud. Even though you read it slowly, even though we have good translators, there was a problem with the translation and I missed a part. It was not a big part, but still. I would have liked to have seen this amendment in writing. Third, there are members on the other side who were not in their places when they shouted out their agreement.

In the face of all this, to be fair, I would ask you, if it is possible, to delay this vote to another day, perhaps in the week we come back to the House.

[Foreign Credential Recognition Program, March 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like some clarification. There are some things I have missed, even though I have been very attentive.

My colleague split her time, ten minutes, in two. She introduced an amendment. My colleague spoke and we were never asked if we were in favour of this amendment and whether we could debate it.

Can you explain what is going on in terms of procedure?

[The Budget, March 7th, 2005]

You do not know your history.

[The Budget, March 7th, 2005]

Go back to school and study your history.

[International Aid, February 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, it is hard to believe the minister's words, because if things continue in the same way they are going now, by 2009 Canada's international aid will only amount to 32 one-hundredths of 1% of the GDP.

Is the government aware that this figure does not even represent one half of the UN target for 2015?