Francis Drouin

[Regional Economic Development, November 20th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, a number of measures to support our small and medium businesses have been announced over the past few months. From the Canada emergency wage subsidy to the regional relief and recovery fund to provide more support for our businesses, our government has answered the call.

The Prescott-Russell Community Development Corporation helped finance 64 businesses owned by women. Can the minister tell the House about other measures the government has taken to support female entrepreneurs across Canada?

[Veterans' Week, November 4th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, Veterans' Week begins tomorrow, so today I am rising remotely to salute the incredible work of our legions, especially those in my community in Alexandria, Hawkesbury, Rockland and Russell.

Across Canada, legions play an important role in not only supporting our veterans, but also ensuring that Canadians remember those who have gone before us and the men and women in uniform who fought and continue to fight so Canadians can enjoy their freedom.

Legions play an important role in celebrating Remembrance Day ceremonies in our communities, and I am so grateful to them for that. Our legions need us now more than ever.

I encourage the residents of Glengarry—Prescott—Russell and all Canadians to join their local legions and get involved. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we owe it to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to never forget.

[Criminal Code, October 26th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Berthier—Maskinongé for his speech.

The member raised a good point. No matter how different our parties are, individual freedoms and the right to life are extremely important in Canada. Although I come from a different party, 17 years ago, I fought for the rights of gays and lesbians and everyone in the LGBTQ2 community to marry.

Today we are saying no to conversion therapy. I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts on the importance of criminalizing this deplorable activity in our community.

[Small Business Week, October 22nd, 2020]

Madam Speaker, 2020 did not really turn out like any of us imagined.

This week is Small Business Week, and I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Canadians who make a choice every day to buy local and support small businesses.

I want to recognize the people of Glengarry—Prescott—Russell for their dedication to the local economy and commend the Prescott-Russell Chamber of Commerce for coming up with the Chamberdollars program, a new type of gift card that can be used at local businesses. This ensures that our money is spent in our community to help our businesses.

One last thing: I want to encourage all residents of Glengarry—Prescott—Russell to support our local businesses and shop local.

[Business of Supply, October 22nd, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech.

From what the opposition is saying, one would think that we never produced any documents. My colleague knows very well that the documents that the opposition is asking for today were submitted to the Standing Committee on Health and the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. The only difference was that trade secrets were protected. Paragraph (y) in this motion mentions the COVID-19 vaccine task forces. That is the only exception with regard to trade secrets.

Did he have a chance to talk to Quebec suppliers? Are they prepared to disclose the content of all their contracts, including conditions, to all of Canada?

[Business of Supply, October 22nd, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Beauport—Limoilou.

As we both sit on the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, I want to remind her that a motion was adopted on June 5, 2020, concerning the production of documents by Health Canada and the Public Health Agency, as well as Public Works and Government Services. That documentation was provided. In contrast, trade secrets are not covered by the motion we are debating today. The opposition members have stated that paragraph (aa)(ii) refers to documents “vetted for matters of personal privacy information, and national security, and, with respect to paragraph (y) only”. Paragraph (y) refers to all vaccination companies.

I want to ask the member the following question: Has she spoken to Quebec suppliers who would potentially like their trade secrets to be available everywhere? We know this will have a direct impact on people in Canada and Quebec.

[Business of Supply, October 22nd, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the leader of the official opposition for his speech. I can see that he is concerned about credit as opposed to results.

I know that the member has practised law on Bay Street, and I know that he has some basic understanding of commercial law. I wonder whether he has had a chat with the member for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in Ontario, and whether they agree that 3M should release the terms of its contract and the terms and conditions of that particular contract. That is exactly what the motion would ask for.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, October 22nd, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, two reports of the delegation of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie.

The first is respecting its participation at the bureau meeting of the APF, held in Dakar, Senegal, from January 28 to 30, 2020.

The second is respecting its participation at the 45th annual session of the APF, held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from July 4 to 9, 2019.

[Business of Supply, October 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, it did not get spent.

On the issue of supporting students, the CSSG was just one way that we could have supported students, but obviously we had the student CERB, which helped thousands and thousands of students across Canada.

With regard to the Canada summer jobs program, I will remind each member who stood here in May complaining and asking where the Canada summer jobs program for students was and why it was not being approved fast enough. I would invite the member to look at the non-partisan public servant testimony at committee this summer, in which they provided answers as to why they chose the WE Charity to deliver the CSSG.

[Business of Supply, October 20th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I have lots of respect for my hon. colleague, but again, I am listening to the opposition saying that we on this side of the House have zero accountability. I was on a government operations committee that looked at all procurements during COVID-19, and the House leader has proposed an alternative to look at all COVID-19 spending. Why does the NDP not get on board?