House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 29% of the vote.
Forestry Industry March 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, there is litigation involving Canada and the United States. Canada is paying lawyers to defend its case, while the Prime Minister and his minister are contradicting the lawyers they themselves are paying.
Is it not time to stop sabotaging the work of the lawyers who are defending Canada in the court in London and start defending Canadian and Quebec firms?
Forestry Industry March 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Quebec Forest Industry Council has received a very clear legal opinion about loan guarantees to forestry companies: they are legal, period. Yet the Prime Minister is stubbornly refusing to face facts. Again last week, hundreds of people demonstrated in front of the office of the member for Jonquière—Alma, demanding a support program for the forestry industry.
Instead of stubbornly denying the legality of loan guarantees, will the Prime Minister admit he was wrong and immediately provide loan guarantees for the forestry industry?
Forestry Industry March 12th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, clearly the Washington lobbyist disguised as a minister has not answered the question, any more than the Prime Minister has.
The truth is that the Prime Minister has an ideological mental block as far as economic policies for Quebec businesses are concerned. We are seeing a return to the old Reform roots. Back in its day, for ideological reasons, the Reform Party leaked information to Embraer, in order to harm Bombardier before the WTO. It was the Reform Party that did that.
Does the Prime Minister intend, out of ideological pig-headedness, to reserve that same fate for the Quebec forestry industry? Let him stand up and answer the question on loan guarantees.
Forestry Industry March 12th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister created confusion yesterday by linking loan guarantees and subsidies. I would like to think that was a mistake. Loan guarantees are precisely what the forestry industry needs, and they are totally legal. Moreover, In committee today, Guy Chevrette, president of the Quebec Forest Industry Council, commented that the claim that the loan guarantees were illegal was tendentious and intellectually incorrect.
Will the Prime Minister clarify the situation and tell us that the loan guarantees are not subsidies, and are legal under the rules of the WTO, NAFTA and the softwood lumber agreement?
Forestry Industry March 11th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is telling us that loan guarantees are subsidies. Yet, that is how EDC operates. That is what it gives to the auto industry. He is contradicting the lawyers who work for him, the Government of Canada lawyers before the LCIA tribunal.
Does he realize that he is weakening Canada's case and kowtowing to the Americans? It is shameful conduct by our Prime Minister.
Forestry Industry March 11th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, despite the difficulties experienced by the forestry industry, the ministers of this government continue to state that loan guarantees are illegal. Yesterday, the President of EDC stated that the government provided loan guarantees to forestry companies. Lawyers for the Government of Canada hold the same position and stated, before the LCIA tribunal, that loan guarantees are legal.
I am asking the Prime Minister to clearly tell us that loan guarantees are legal or else to provide the section of the agreement where it is stated that they are not. He should get his facts straight.
Forestry Industry March 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, what the minister just said is unbelievable. For one thing, the London ruling has nothing to do with loan guarantees. For another, the government is paying lawyers in London to argue that loan guarantees are legal. And now the minister says that he cannot talk about it even though his lawyers are talking about it and saying that it is legal.
When will he stop bowing down before the Americans and stand up for the forestry industry, particularly Quebec's forestry industry?
Forestry Industry March 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, in his Brampton pep talk, the Prime Minister added nothing to his insufficient stimulus plan, but instead focused on the importance of positioning the country to ride the recovery wave. The problem is that a lot of people might end up drowning because the Conservatives still do not have a plan to help forestry companies.
Instead of remaining unresponsive, will the government finally help the forestry industry by offering loan guarantees?
Forestry Industry March 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, it will be noted that once again this minister has not been able to cite chapter and verse. He is unable to do so because there is no section that forbids it. Yet Export Development Canada provides loan guarantees. The government has even extended them to the auto industry.
How is it that what is good for the auto industry and Ontario is not good for the forestry industry and Quebec?
Forestry Industry March 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, today Highway 138 is being blocked by Abitibi-Bowater workers who are demanding help from the government. Thus far, the federal government has refused to help Quebec's forestry industry, but is quite willing to help the auto industry. Yet the loan guarantees that would give a major boost to the forestry industry are allowed under the softwood lumber agreement.
Can the Prime Ministertell us which section of the softwood lumber agreement prevents him from granting those loan guarantees? If not, we will be forced to conclude that the Prime Minister is looking for excuses not to help out the forestry industry.