Hélène Laverdière

[LGBTT Organizations in Laurier—Sainte-Marie, November 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, on October 18, as I do every year, I had the pleasure of attending the rainbow gala, which is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of many people who, in their own way, work in defence of LGBTT rights. Along with gay pride week, this is an important event in Montreal.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve Foster, the organizer of the gala and one of my constituents, who is leaving his job at the head of the Quebec LGBT council. Steve, thank you for your hard work, your sense of humour and your generosity.

I would also like to commend the work of other LGBTT organizations in my riding that I have met with over the past few months, such as l'Astérisk, RÉZO, GRIS, Arc-en-ciel d'Afrique and the Chambre de commerce gaie du Québec.

Congratulations on your commitment to defending fundamental values that we all share, regardless of our orientation: diversity, respect for others and solidarity.

[CBC/Radio-Canada, October 31st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today is Halloween, but CBC creators and friends really have nothing to celebrate. The broadcaster shut down its props workshop last year and will be closing its costume warehouse in Montreal next spring. This is the largest collection of its kind in North America. It includes 90,000 pieces of clothing, some of them from the 19th century.

Does the minister realize that this closure will have a significant impact on the entire Quebec television industry?

[CBC/Radio-Canada, October 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' indiscriminate cuts have affected more than just rail safety.

This morning, the CBC announced that it is laying off another 392 employees. CBC employees in my riding will once again be affected. This will also affect the quality of information available in both official languages across Canada.

When will the minister finally recognize that these cuts on top of cuts are preventing our public broadcaster from properly carrying out its mandate?

[Rail Transportation, October 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, for years the City of Montreal and the public have been asking Canadian Pacific to install new level crossings to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The problem is particularly dire in Laurier—Sainte-Marie and Rosemont. However, despite repeated requests, CP is not co-operating.

When will Transport Canada require railway companies such as CP to actually co-operate in good faith with municipalities and consider the safety of pedestrians and cyclists?

[National Defence, October 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the Americans are specifically requesting beds and medical personnel, and so is the World Bank.

The combat mission in Iraq is another issue at the top of the U.S. Secretary of State's agenda. There is certainly a lot of speculation about extending the Canadian combat mission.

Is the government planning to discuss this issue with the Secretary of State, and is it planning an additional commitment over and above the current six-month mission?

[International Development, October 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, is calling on the international community to do more to combat the Ebola crisis. West Africa desperately needs more personnel and basic medical equipment. An American ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, is calling on everyone to urgently provide beds and medical personnel.

Will the government offer any such assistance to the U.S. Secretary of State?

[Health, October 27th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been the hardest hit by the Ebola crisis. According to the WHO, over 10,000 cases of Ebola have been reported and over 5,000 people have succumbed to the illness.

The United States and the United Kingdom have stepped up their efforts to deal with the crisis. Now, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is asking other countries to do the same by sending beds and medical personnel.

Will the government respond to that call?

[Health, October 27th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today the U.S. ambassador to the UN has criticized the international response to the Ebola crisis. She said that many countries are signing on to resolutions and praising the good work that the United States and the United Kingdom are doing, but said that they themselves have not taken responsibility yet.

The ambassador calls for countries to send in beds and medical personnel. Will the government answer this call from our closest ally?

[International Development, October 23rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, together, Canadians are celebrating the courage of Malala Yousafzai, as well as her hope for a world in which all girls have access to education.

Unfortunately, yesterday's ceremony to grant her Canadian citizenship was cancelled as a result of yesterday's tragic incidents.

Can the government tell us when this event will be rescheduled, so that Canadians can pay tribute to her courage? In addition, will Canada provide funding for the Global Partnership for Education, which does so much for girls' education?

[National Defence, October 21st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, there is a lack of transparency with regard to not only the duration of the combat mission, but also the cost.

Last Friday, we were told that National Defence officials had submitted a cost estimate for the combat mission to the minister. The minister has that information.

Why has that information not been made public yet? Can the minister tell us how much the mission will cost?