Francis Drouin

[The Environment, December 12th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the short answer to the question is no and no, but let me go on.

As the hon. member knows, Trans Mountain Corporation is governed by an independent board of directors and not directly by the government. The board has broad authority for corporate governance strategy and nominates several committees to oversee specific specialized areas. Trans Mountain Corporation operates as a commercial entity and has been clear that it is committed to meaningful engagement and effective relationships with communities all along the pipeline expansion corridor.

In October, TMC and the City of Burnaby shared a community contribution agreement that will benefit the residents of Burnaby through collaboration on an enhanced emergency response and safety plan. The details of this agreement include, as the hon. member said, Trans Mountain contributing $20.1 million to the city. Burnaby's mayor, Mike Hurley, said that he and any member of council are allowed to speak freely about this project and the contribution agreement itself. I know that those two parties worked closely to determine the details of this agreement.

Obviously, the government acquired the Trans Mountain Corporation and the Trans Mountain expansion project in 2018, because we knew it was a serious and necessary investment. The pipeline will continue to benefit our economy and Canadians, including those in communities like Burnaby, by providing good jobs, generating significant revenues each year and being an integral part of Canada's long-term energy infrastructure as Canada and the world transition to net zero.

To support this transition to net zero, since 2015, the federal government has committed over $160 billion to build Canada's clean economy and reduce emissions, and has invested significant additional resources to protect the environment and conserve nature. As the expansion project generates cash flow, the federal government will continue to invest in creating good-paying jobs and accelerating the development and deployment of clean energy and clean technology. The project has also created, and is continuing to create, economic benefits for families and many indigenous communities through contracting, financial compensation, and employment and training.

That is all I will have to say about that. However, just to repeat myself, I could have finished that in 20 seconds. The answer to the hon. member's question is no and no.

[Committees of the House, November 26th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question, but what I would like to see from Conservative Party members, especially francophones, is more courage. There seems to be talk that there will be no impact on francophone communities if the CBC is dismantled. That is completely false. It is a misunderstanding of how Radio-Canada and CBC share resources.

When will my colleague have the courage to stand up to his leader and say that eliminating CBC will have a direct impact on francophone communities?

[Affordability Measures, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, as the holiday season approaches, our government is putting more money back into the pockets of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Our new tax break and the new working Canadians rebate will help reduce costs when they are highest for Canadians. Starting December 14, prepared foods, restaurant meals, beer, wine and cider will all be GST-free for the holiday season. That means Canadians can celebrate the holidays with family and friends, support local businesses and keep a little more of their hard-earned cash.

However, people do not have to just take my word for it. Restaurants Canada said that our announcement means more Canadians will be able to celebrate with loved ones at a restaurant, have lunch with colleagues or treat themselves to a morning pastry on their way to work.

We do not need an election to cut taxes. Will the Conservative leader give his MPs the freedom to speak up for local businesses and put money directly into the pockets of Canadians? If not, will Conservative MPs have the courage to stand up for our local businesses?

[Privilege, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, we do not disagree with the Speaker's ruling. We can let it go to PROC so we can move on, do the business of the House and debate important issues such as housing, poverty and climate change. Let it go to PROC. We do not disagree.

[Privilege, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, it seems that the Conservatives are jealous or opposed to a tax cut. There will not be an election this spring. We do not need an election to cut taxes.

I would like to know whether my hon. colleague will have the courage to stand up to his leader and support our measures, because he could support Canadians now.

[Privilege, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

Although I commend my colleague's efforts to ask questions about a presentation the minister made this morning, we are currently debating the matter regarding SDTC. This morning's presentation and the question have nothing to do with what the House is seized with at the moment.

[Privilege, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure of sitting on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. My colleague seems to think that the police need the House to hand over certain documents. I wonder whether he is familiar with the term “search warrant”. I will read the definition for him so he understands. “A search warrant is a written order from a judge or justice of the peace. This order gives the police the right to search your home and take certain items that they find.”

The police do not need the House to hand over documents. The police will do their job. Let us let the police do their job. The commissioner wrote a letter to our committee on July 25, and the official opposition party is well aware of that. The Conservatives are misusing the House. They are filibustering so that we cannot introduce new legislation. That is what today is all about. This has nothing to do with SDTC.

When will they stop obstructing the House?

[Correctional Service of Canada, November 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, ministers are not involved in procurement processes. What I can do is work with the hon. member, and the minister can come back to him with a more precise answer. As the member well knows, ministers and politicians do not get involved in RFP processes.

[Correctional Service of Canada, November 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, the minister is not involved in the day-to-day operations of our correctional services. I am surprised to hear the member be so against prison farms. I too am a member of eastern Ontario; I am far east in Ontario. I can assure the member that I was approached by farmers who said this program was important. I do not know where the member is coming from on this particular issue, but the community is supportive.

[Public Safety, November 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, the minister said something yesterday that I think is important for all members in the House, not to repeat the name of a killer.

We agree that public safety is number one in this country. As the hon. member knows, the Parole board is independent, but obviously, public safety will be taken into account as it makes its decision, and we trust it will make the right decision.