France Bonsant

[Business of Supply, May 14th, 2009]

Mr. Chair, a rather unusual situation has arisen in my riding. A weather station in Stanstead is managed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as well as by the organization responsible for agricultural insurance in Canada. However, it is included in Environment Canada's budget. This station is used to take hydrometry readings for hay fields.

Two years ago, we had a great deal of rain and many farmers lost their hay crops. When farmers applied for compensation to the appropriate organization in Canada, only one person was refused. The problem was that she lived next door to a neighbour who had a fence and the weather station covers a certain area. When the Financière agricole du Québec went to check out this situation, it found that the weather station was in a stand of maples. The hydrometer could not measure the amount of rain because the station was tucked away among the maples.

Everyone, except for that lady, was reimbursed or compensated. Since the equipment is not in the right place and is hidden in a building, will the minister move this weather station and then be able to provide fair compensation for hay producers?

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, May 8th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this government's stubborn refusal to review the 98% rule could have unexpected negative effects. With such a high threshold, many producers will be completely unmotivated to use Canadian products and could turn to foreign products, which are often much cheaper.

Does the government realize that these regulations, which are meant to promote Canadian products, could have the exact opposite effect and undermine them instead?

[Angus Autoparts, May 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I never tire of singing the praises of the businesses and entrepreneurs of my region, and rightly so, for the Eastern Townships abound with innovative businesses. One of them, Angus Autoparts, was recently honoured at the regional chamber of commerce's 23rd Reconnaissance Estrie gala with an award in the retail business category.

This company is located in East Angus, in the heart of my riding, and has been run by the Blais family for the last quarter century. In 2000, ownership of the family business passed to Isabelle Blais, the daughter of its founder, and she has taken it to new heights.

In accepting her award, Ms. Blais made a point of encouraging and congratulating all women who are entering non-traditional areas of entrepreneurship. Today it is my turn to congratulate her in the House.

Bravo to Isabelle Blais and all her team at Angus Autoparts.

[Mont-Mégantic Observatory, April 24th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I was shocked to learn on April 6, 2009, that the National Science and Engineering Research Council is putting an end to the $325,000 subsidy it provides every year to the Mont-Mégantic Observatory.

The eastern slope of Mont-Mégantic is in my riding. In the course of the various activities organized by the observatory staff, who have always invited us, I have seen for myself how this astronomical hot spot has become an important asset, not only for our region, but for all of Quebec.

The observatory straddles the line between my riding and the Mégantic—L'Érable riding. In our local media, the hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable, the Prime Minister's political lieutenant in the Quebec, has admitted that he is completely powerless to reverse the decision, adding that it was not his government`s fault. In my opinion, it is clear that this cut can be traced back to this government, which has an ideological view of scientific research and gives in to pressure from creationists.

[Desjardins Tourism Awards, March 31st, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the 24th annual Desjardins tourism awards for the Eastern Townships were handed out on March 20.

Many of the winners in the 18 categories are from my riding.

I would like to congratulate the Chocolatière d'Hatley on its award in the lodging—bed and breakfast category; Camping de Compton in the lodging—camping category; Fitch Bay's Bleu Lavande in the agrotourism and regional products category; and the Eastern Townships tourism office in the tourism services category.

In 2008, businesses in the region took home five gold awards, more than in any other region in Quebec. I believe that our regional representatives will perform well during the national gala on May 15 in Quebec City.

These businesses have a significant impact on our region's tourism and economy. I would therefore like to wish them the best of luck.

[Canada Labour Code, March 25th, 2009]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-343, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Employment Insurance Act (family leave).

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to introduce this bill at first reading. This bill would amend the Canada Labour Code to allow employees to take unpaid leave from work for the following family-related reasons: the inability of their minor child to carry on regular activities because the child suffers a serious physical injury during the commission or as the direct result of a criminal offence; the disappearance of their minor child; the suicide of their spouse, common-law partner or child; or the death of their spouse, common-law partner or child during the commission or as the direct result of a criminal offence.

It would also amend the Employment Insurance Act to allow these employees to receive benefits while on leave.

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

[La Station Cheese Factory, March 25th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I never tire of talking about products from my region, and for good reason: they are top-notch and made by our very own people.

I encourage you to try some great-tasting cheeses from La Station in Compton, which is in my riding. Every one of this family-owned company's cheeses has been nominated for the 2009 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix.

Comtomme, Comtomme Signature, Raclette and Alfred Le Fermier were selected from among 172 cheeses sampled by the jury as part of this annual competition organized by the Dairy Farmers of Canada.

La Station could not have asked for a better showcase for its organic raw-milk cheeses. I would like to wish the company the best of luck because it deserves to win multiple awards during the Gala of Champions on April 23.

[Questions on the Order Paper, March 12th, 2009]

With respect to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachments that were closed in Quebec in 2004: (a) five years later, what are the government’s plans for these nine detachments, specifically with respect to their possible reopening and to an increase in border staff; and (b) if an analysis of the positive and negative impacts of closing these detachments was done, what were the findings?

[Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, March 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in 2010, Vancouver will host the Olympic Games and Toronto will host the NATO summit. Quebec, meanwhile, has been left behind. Quebec City could have hosted a major convention, but the Conservatives sabotaged the city's efforts. By refusing to allow parliamentarians from certain countries to come to Canada, the Conservatives denied Quebec's capital city the opportunity to host next spring's Inter-Parliamentary Union assembly. Instead, the 2010 IPU assembly will be held in Bangkok.

Recently, the member for Lévis—Bellechasse complained about the cancellation of the re-enactment of the battle of the Plains of Abraham, arguing that cancelling the event would deprive Quebec of significant economic spin-offs. Yet a convention attended by 1,500 delegates from 150 countries around the world would have had an even greater economic impact. His government prevented that from happening.

Quebec might be a contender to host the IPU in 2011, but for that to happen, the Conservatives will have to set aside their ideological stubbornness.

[International Women's Day, March 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, on March 8, we will celebrate International Women's Day. Although women represent 52% of the population in the Eastern Townships, we are far from achieving gender parity in any kind of governance.

In the Eastern Townships, women hold only 28.5% of management positions and, on average, 12% of union positions. At the municipal level, only 14% of mayors and 26% of municipal councillors are women.

Last fall, Nicole Robert became the first female reeve of the Haut-Saint-François RCM and the only woman to hold such a position in the Eastern Townships.

Together with the organization Promotion des Estriennes pour initier une nouvelle équité sociale (PEPINES), I encourage more women to take up decision-making positions in my region. Only 22% of members in this House are women; there should be more of us.