House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2011, with 47% of the vote.
Combating Terrorism Act October 15th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his speech. In his view, does the Criminal Code currently contain the necessary provisions to investigate individuals who engage in criminal activities and to detain anyone who might pose an immediate threat to Canadians?
Aboriginal Affairs October 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, first nations communities are in desperate need of money to provide their children with proper education. However, the Conservatives are only throwing them crumbs. These communities have waited more than 10 years for new schools, but only three will be built this year. Children of the Atikamekw nation in Manawan, in my riding, should not go without education, any more than any other Canadian child should.
When will the minister take action instead of making empty promises?
Helping Families In Need Act September 27th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we support the bill. However, it is flawed. I would like to hear my colleague's comments on those flaws.
As written, the bill does not allow women returning from parental leave to collect regular benefits immediately after collecting special benefits if, upon returning to work, they discover that they have lost their job or their job has been cut. I would like my colleague to comment on that.
When the committee studies this bill, I hope it will amend the bill accordingly because women need those benefits. They cannot live without money.
Helping Families In Need Act September 27th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his speech.
Sometimes, children may disappear because they sniffed something. Why does the support provided by the government regarding children who disappear not apply when it is believed that a Criminal Code offence was committed?
Atikamekw of Manawan First Nation September 20th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I was lucky enough to take part in a powwow at the Atikamekw of Manawan First Nation. This northern Lanaudière community welcomed me with open arms and introduced me to a rich culture and many wonderful people.
Although this community was already dealing with chronic underfunding and an astronomical drop-out rate, its funding was just cut by another $430,000. So I was amazed at how warm and welcoming these people are. Manawan is one of the few aboriginal communities where the traditional language is still widely spoken, and yet this community receives no financial assistance to fund its cultural programs.
If language is the soul of a nation, why would we wait until the Atikamekw language is dead before offering our support? This question and many others arose from my visit. I hope the government will take appropriate action.
Enhancing Royal Canadian Mounted Police Accountability Act September 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the new civilian complaints commission is oddly enough very similar to the existing one where the public can complain about the RCMP.
I would like to thank the hon. member for her remarks and I would like to know what her thoughts are on how independent or dependent the new commission is.
Petitions June 13th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the petition I am presenting concerns old age security. It states:
We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Parliament of Canada to maintain funding for the OAS and make the requisite investments in the guaranteed income supplement to lift every senior out of poverty.
It is a pleasure and an honour for me to submit this petition.
Canada Post June 12th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, behind closed doors, the Conservatives are continuing their mission to shut down as many regional post offices as possible. In the meantime, the people in the rural areas of my riding and across Quebec have fewer and fewer services. This situation is harming not just the people, but also the local businesses that deal with Canada Post.
Do the Conservatives realize that the cuts to Canada Post in the regions are hurting the regional economy?
Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act June 11th, 2012
Madam Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague a question about division 19 of part 4 of Bill C-38, which reduces government transparency when it comes to food safety by giving the minister the power to get around the law.
I would like to know how Canadians can be sure that what they eat will be monitored, checked and compliant so that they do not get sick and they do not have to sue certain companies because they or their children get sick.
Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act June 7th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech.
Something similar was tried in Australia more than a decade ago, and the results were not encouraging. After a dozen or so years, people did not have more money. Their investments did not do better than the rate of inflation.
The members of this House know that the Canada pension plan has barely lost any ground, with barely a 1% drop in interest, while the stock market, in which the government would like Canadians to invest more of their pension and retirement savings, has declined by 11%. I would like to hear what he has to say about that.