House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was position.

Last in Parliament October 2000, as Progressive Conservative MP for Sherbrooke (Québec)

Won his last election, in 1997, with 60% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Reference To Supreme Court February 17th, 1998

Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister has handed over his responsibilities to the Supreme Court and its justices on the subject of Canadian unity, I would like to know today whether the Prime Minister and the government intend to ask the justices to campaign in the unfortunate event of another referendum.

National Unity February 17th, 1998

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the issue of the supreme court reference.

I have opposed this initiative for these reasons. Every national political party and its leader in this House agrees that this matter, the future of Canada, is ultimately a political decision. A court ruling cannot be a substitute for the common will of Canadians to live together and share the same destiny.

We should not kid ourselves on the ultimate effect this strategy will have. The separatists can only rejoice in the fact that this keeps their issue on the top of the national agenda. The discussion now revolves around how the country can be broken up as opposed to how we can make it work better.

At every turn and every moment of my political life, I have fought for my belief in Canada. Canadians deserve leaders able to see beyond the next horizon, to do what is right instead of succumbing to what is easy. I will never give up my fight for Canada.

Reference To Supreme Court February 16th, 1998

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is in a bad position to give anyone a lesson about rolling the dice after what he did in the 1995 referendum, after he said to Canadians in the 1995 referendum that everything was fine. As a result he almost lost the country. Has he not learned anything from that referendum?

Quebeckers and Canadians want the country to work. They do not want the extremes of the Reform Party. They do not want the extremes of the Bloc. They want a solution which makes the country work, not a recipe on how to break it up.

Reference To Supreme Court February 16th, 1998

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

Following the questions asked by members of the Bloc Quebecois and the Reform Party, does the Prime Minister not realize that the government is playing the game of the extremists in this country?

Does the government not realize that if the Supreme Court must make a decision, it will tell us what we already know, namely that no one can provide a definite answer should the country separate?

Does the Prime Minister not recognize that it would be better to propose a plan A, that is a plan acceptable to those who want a consensus on change, including as regards Canada's economic and social union?

Health February 13th, 1998

Mr. Speaker, most provincial governments have already clearly indicated their desire to help victims of hepatitis C.

I would like to know whether the federal government now in office will take into account the health care costs to provincial governments of ongoing assistance to these people. I would specifically like to know whether the minister intends to include victims who received blood before 1986 in the federal government's compensation plan.

Health February 13th, 1998

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Health who will be meeting next week with his counterparts to discuss the issue of people infected with hepatitis C through tainted blood.

There seems to be a will on the part of provincial governments to deal with this, but there is also a concern that the federal government will put forward some grandiose package and leave them covering the real costs.

Will the Minister of Health commit today that he will put forth a compensation package that is substantial enough to cover the ongoing health costs provinces will incur in assisting these victims?

Iraq February 11th, 1998

Mr. Speaker, the UN resolutions were adopted in 1991. We do not need the government to tell us what resolutions were adopted by the United Nations.

I have a question for the government which, following a cabinet decision and a debate in the House, embarked on a great adventure that could lead to war, to military intervention.

What are the objectives pursued by the government if there is a military intervention? What are the rules of engagement for Canadians whose lives will be put on the line, and what are the conditions for the withdrawal of our troops, once the objective is attained?

Iraq February 11th, 1998

Mr. Speaker, we do want some information about the government's position. It has now had the benefit of a debate in the House of Commons, a cabinet meeting yesterday, a predictable announcement. Could the Deputy Prime Minister now inform the House of Commons of the exact objective being pursued by Canada and of the rules of engagement?

Could he further elaborate by telling us under what conditions does he now see Canadian troops withdrawing from this conflict once we meet these objectives?

Iraq February 10th, 1998

Mr. Speaker, I take it by the response of the Prime Minister that neither he nor his government asked that this intervention happen under a new resolution of the United Nations, a new resolution made necessary by an admission of his Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday who said there was division within the security council.

The Prime Minister will know that there are more chances of success and fewer chances of bloodletting and children and innocent people suffering if there is a firm determination and resolve within the United Nations. That will give the world and Canada moral authority and less chance of war.

Why does Canada not—

Iraq February 10th, 1998

Mr. Speaker, my question is quite timely, in view of the answer just given by the Prime Minister on Canada's involvement in an initiative in the Gulf.

Since the Prime Minister admits that he has been in touch with the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Great Britain and the President of France in the last 72 hours, I would like to know if, during these talks, he demanded that any action be taken under the authority of the United Nations in order to give greater moral authority to any such action.