House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 60% of the vote.
Facilitating the Transfer of Family Farm or Fishing Corporations Act May 12th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank and congratulate the member for Joliette on taking the initiative to introduce this bill.
In her speech, she talked a lot about large corporations that own farms. I would like to know if she was able to estimate the tax effects of the measures she is proposing and how she was able to limit that to small and medium-sized businesses. I think her intention is to favour small and medium-sized businesses.
Citizenship and Immigration May 12th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, there has been a great deal of concern in the Haitian community ever since the Conservative government lifted the moratorium on deportations to Haiti and Zimbabwe for over 3,500 people. Many of these individuals have been in Canada for 10 years and are wondering whether they will be deported.
The minister gave them until June 1 to regularize their status. So far, only 20% of these individuals have submitted applications, despite the fact that the Government of Quebec has allocated resources to support them.
Will the minister agree to the Quebec immigration minister's request to extend the deadline by three months, and we also agree—
Taxation May 11th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, let us make one thing clear right now. Doubling the contribution limit for TFSAs will do nothing for 93% of Canadians. The Conservatives want to pass that problem on to our grandchildren. Only 7% of Canadians make the $5,500 maximum contribution to TFSAs.
Instead, the Liberal Party is suggesting a 7% tax cut for the middle class and a simple, generous and tax-free program that will give money back to nine out of ten families.
Why are the Conservatives against a tax cut and a plan to give money back to 90% of Canadian families?
Claude Poirier May 11th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to acknowledge the contribution of Claude Poirier, one of my constituents from Bourassa. This year, he received the Governor General's award for his contribution.
Claude Poirier has been actively involved in his parish’s activities and within his community for more than 50 years. Young people are a special focus of his volunteer involvement. He is dedicated to promoting mental health and early intervention as part of the youth net program, of which he is the founding president.
He also served on the board of directors of Muscular Dystrophy Canada, of Fleury hospital and of the Fondation de la recherche sur les maladies infantiles, in addition to being involved with the Regroupement des Auberges du coeur du Québec and with Club Richelieu.
Mr. Poirier is a successful businessman. He is the president of Société Montréal-Nord 2015. I would like to congratulate him and thank him on behalf of my colleagues and on behalf of the people of Bourassa.
Employment May 8th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, young people across the country are unemployed. The youth unemployment rate is twice the national average.
Meanwhile, the Conservative government has no trouble spending money on partisan ads, and it is neglecting hiring programs for youth. It is now May and $30 million of the funding for this program is just sitting there. That is 20% of the funding for this program that is not being used.
What are this Conservative government's priorities? Why does it not want to help our young people find jobs?
Taxation May 6th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party is proposing to lower the tax rate for the middle class. It is a simple and fair plan that applies to everyone. Today, I am giving the Conservative government another chance to answer this question, because Canadians deserve a straight answer.
Are the Conservatives, like the NDP, against having a new tax bracket for people who earn $200,000 or more in order to give back to the middle class, yes or no?
Yes or no?
Taxation May 5th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I have a very simple question for the government.
The NDP has already come out against it. Do the Conservatives oppose a tax hike for people who earn $200,000 or more to give back to the middle class, yes or no?
The Budget May 4th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are finding it difficult to make ends meet, and the Conservatives are ignoring them.
There is nothing for economic growth or job creation in the budget they tabled, which was two months overdue. The Conservatives continue to give gifts to the people who need them least.
Why are the Conservatives continuing to give money to the rich instead of helping the middle class?
The Budget April 29th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her speech, which I listened to with great interest. Given that we are talking about the budget, she focused quite a bit on youth employment. However, the Conservatives' budget mostly favours the rich, and even the Minister of Finance was unable to say how many jobs this budget will create.
My colleague also spoke about the high youth unemployment rate. Whether we are talking about her riding of LaSalle—Émard, my riding or other areas of Canada, the youth unemployment rate is extremely high.
What does the member think about the fact that the Conservative Party is spending millions of dollars on partisan advertising when it could be using that money to create jobs for young people?
Employment April 29th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, our young people are wrapping things up at school and are already worried that they will not have a job this summer.
Instead of helping our students, the Conservatives prefer to spend taxpayers' money on partisan ads. What is more, they cut most of the jobs from the Canada summer jobs program.
Dropping just one ad from the National Hockey League playoffs would allow 30 young people to find a job this summer.
Why do the Conservatives keep spending taxpayers' money on partisan ads instead of helping our young people find employment?