Guy Lauzon

[October 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member seems to be a step or two behind the rest of the industry. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, working side by side with provincial and territorial ministers, has not only agreed to a bold new vision for the future of agriculture in Canada, but is well aware of the importance to producers and all stakeholders of a smooth transition.

With a view to developing a new vision for agriculture in the 21st century, governments held extensive consultations over the past year and listened to over 3,000 stakeholders, the majority of whom were primary producers. Based on what was heard, in June 2007 federal-provincial-territorial, ministers of agriculture agreed to “Growing Forward”, a vision designed to address the needs of the primary producer as well as the broad interests of the entire sector.

The intent of “Growing Forward” is to foster an industry that is innovative and competitive, that actively manages risks and that responds to the priorities of Canadians. Federal, provincial and territorial governments are now in the process of negotiating the specific policy outcomes and initiatives to be contained within “Growing Forward”.

While we continue to work with the provinces to develop policy and program details for “Growing Forward”, the Minister of Agriculture and his provincial and territorial colleagues understand the need for continuity. It is for this reason that the ministers agreed late last week to continue current programming while developing new and improved programming to incorporate the bold new vision and principles of “Growing Forward”. It is important that we ensure that the programs under “Growing Forward” work for farmers and the entire industry.

The hon. member is clearly left behind as this government does what it promised to do and actually gets things done. The Minister of Agriculture and his colleagues are delivering on a commitment to replace Canadian agricultural income stabilization with programs that are simpler, more responsive, bankable and predictable.

As part of the “Growing Forward” vision, we are launching a new suite of business risk management programs. The suite of BRM programs includes: AgriInvest, a program where both producers and governments contribute to a producers' savings account that will allow producers to easily predict the government's contribution and have flexibility; AgriStability, a new margin based program that provides support when a producer experiences a decline in farm income of more than 15%; AgriInsurance, an existing program which includes insurance against production losses for specified perils; and AgriRecovery, a disaster relief framework which provides a coordinated process for federal, provincial and territorial governments to respond rapidly when disasters strike, filling gaps not covered by existing programs.

Putting farmers first means moving quickly as possible to implement improved BRM programming. As we move forward, we ensure that the non-BRM programming like the new BRM programming, encapsulates the bold new vision and principles of “Growing Forward”.

[Business of Supply, October 29th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague on his speech for a number of reasons.

Since our Conservative colleagues from Quebec arrived, I find that things have been much better. For 17 years, the Bloc has represented many Quebeckers. In my opinion, almost nothing has been done in all that time.

What is the Bloc doing here in Ottawa for Quebeckers?

[Agriculture, October 23rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the valiant efforts that Canada's farmers put forth every day to produce the best, healthiest food in the world.

Canadian agriculture and agri-food drives 8.2% of our GDP, employs about two million Canadians and accounts for $28 billion of our international trade. That is why agriculture is a priority for this government. Through measures in budget 2006 and budget 2007, a total of $4.5 billion in new funding is flowing to the agricultural sector.

Our government is listening to farmers and is taking steps to respond to their concerns.

This government will continue to put farmers first by working toward a stronger, more vibrant farm gate and by helping the sector capture some of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

[The Budget, June 15th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, this week Bill C-52, legislation implementing budget 2007, passed third reading in the House.

This is a great budget that stands to benefit all Canadians in all provinces. There is $1 billion in health care funding, $1.5 billion in clean air funding, $225 million for the nature conservancy of Canada, $614 million for federal-provincial infrastructure projects, $30 million to protect British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest, $30 million for Rick Hansen's foundation, and $133 million in new aid to help the people of Afghanistan rebuild their lives and their country.

A majority of democratically elected members passed this legislation. Why then is an unelected Liberal dominated Senate holding up the passage of Bill C-52, a bill that Canadians want and need?

A leader gets the job done. Why can the Leader of the Opposition not get the job done by insisting his Liberal senators approve this great budget?

[Canadian Heritage, June 14th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I read with great interest another press release from the member for Timmins—James Bay about Canada Day funding. The member of misinformation is constantly attempting to make two plus two equal five.

I represent the riding of Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, the most patriotic riding in Canada. My community will be celebrating our country's 140th birthday on July 1 and this event should not be slighted by false allegations by the NDP member.

Could the Minister of Canadian Heritage please clarify this issue for the House and for the member of sound and fury?

[The Environment, June 6th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Liberal candidate in Central Nova, Elizabeth May, shocked Canadians with her plan to combat climate change.

She advocated a massive tax increase of 12¢ per litre on gas prices. Is this position being supported by her mentor, the leader of the official opposition?

What about her plan to withdraw $1 billion in funding for the Pacific gateway, one of the most important projects for British Columbia's future? Is this the new Liberal policy? Do B.C. Liberal MPs agree with May that this funding should be cut?

Ms. May is also calling for a phase-out of power generated by coal, oil, gas and nuclear energy. How does she expect Canadians to heat their homes in the middle of winter, by burning money?

What Canadians really need is a plan of action to cut greenhouse gases starting now. That is why our government's plan will lead to absolute reductions in greenhouse gases of 20% by 2020. Now that is real action on the environment.

[Official Languages, May 10th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, this week, the Minister for la Francophonie and Official Languages announced some good news for francophone minority communities: $555,000 in support for the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada and $500,000 for the Réseau des cégeps et collèges francophones du Canada.

Can the minister tell us about other initiatives by the government to assist official language minority communities?

[Committees of the House, May 9th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to submit, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Official Languages entitled “Communities Speak Out: Hear our Voice. The vitality of Official Language Minority Communities”.

[Gasoline Prices, May 4th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, in Quebec today, the price of gas has reached $1.16 a litre. Quebeckers are worried and want gas prices to stop climbing.

Can the Minister of the Environment tell this House what will happen to the price of gas if the Liberal plan for the environment, Bill C-288, which is also supported by the NDP and the Bloc Québécois, indeed passes?

[Liberal Party Policies, May 3rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are confused with the Liberals' contradictory positions regarding Canada's international reputation.

Yesterday, the Liberal MP for Bourassa was suddenly concerned about Canada's reputation abroad, attacking the government for supposedly undermining our reputation on the international stage.

Shockingly, that is the same member who only days ago bragged to the press that during his trip to Europe for a NATO meeting of foreign ministers, he was going to bash Canada. When he came back, he bragged about how he had smeared our country. This position seems to go against his Liberal leader, who has stated, “I never, never will speak against my government when I am with international personalities”.

The Liberal leader has refused to remove Farhan Chak a his candidate in Edmonton--Mill Woods--Beaumont for his controversial comments and he continues to endorse his candidate, Elizabeth May.

I realize we are not in question period yet but I would like to ask the Liberal leader whether he condones his defence critic making a mockery of his position and words.