House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 54% of the vote.
National Defence October 4th, 1995
Yes, yes. There is an inquiry and the minister has made available everything required by the commissioners. It is a public inquiry and we will wait for the results. After that if there is a need for changes we will make them, but first we will let the inquiry do its job.
National Defence October 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I think the parliamentary secretary very eloquently explained the situation.
When we formed the government there was this problem which was created before we came into government that was causing a lot of problems. We decided to get to the bottom of it.
There were some very difficult decisions to be made. For example, when we had to decide to dismantle the airborne regiment it was not easy to do. I think it was the right decision. Now all the files are available to everybody and an inquiry has been named that will look at every document.
It is public. The press is there. How can we be more open than that? All the documents are there.
The incident in Somalia occurred before we formed the government but there was a desire by the public to get to the bottom of it and the commission will get to the bottom of it. It will make recommendations. If there is some need for changes in the way decisions are made in defence, we will change them. But so far so good.
National Defence October 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I think Canada is very well served by a very good Minister of National Defence.
Industry Canada October 4th, 1995
For the first year, because we silenced them a few times recently.
The leader of the Bloc Quebecois said to the Americans: "I am a separatist". But he did not have the courage to go to Lac-Saint-Jean or Trois-Rivières or Rouyn-Noranda or Montreal and say: "I am a separatist". Everyone knows I am a Canadian and that I will still be one on October 31.
Industry Canada October 4th, 1995
It is in the new Quebec dictionary which has not been approved by the Académie Française.
Industry Canada October 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, our request was not very complicated. We simply asked officials to tell us the truth about federal involvement in Quebec businesses.
It is very important for them to know, because we want people to know the truth. We did not do as the Bloc Quebecois and the Parti Quebecois did and say: "We will come up with a winning question". Not a real question, a winning question. They did not want to tell Quebecers they are separatists. The leader of the Bloc Quebecois, the Leader of the Opposition, told the Americans, because they do not understand what the word "souverainiste" means, and besides, it is not in the French dictionary-
Industry Canada October 4th, 1995
We were not doing enough. Now we are doing too much, because we told the people of Quebec that these industries developed thanks to the presence of the federal government. The federal government has been giving subsidies to these businesses for 25 years. They are not being given because of an upcoming referendum. Twenty-five years ago we developed these programs of assistance to industry, which have resulted, in certain sectors, in Quebec workers being able today to sell their products worldwide.
This is why the heads of business who succeeded, with the help of the federal government, in developing these businesses want to keep them for the benefit of people working there.
Mr. Beaudouin probably has a pretty solid bank account, but if a disaster strikes, it will not be he who suffers, it will be the the families of people working in his plants. These are the people we want to protect, rather than leap into the void in the adventure that these folks here are proposing for Quebec. Quebecers know they are living in Canada, the best country in the world, and on October 30, they will vote for Canada.
Industry Canada October 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, quite frankly, the people in the Bloc Quebecois are really desperate. Two days ago we were being accused of giving Quebec nothing for research and development.
Do you recall, hon. members, Mr. Speaker?
Industry Canada October 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, since when is the truth blackmail? Since when is telling people that their economic and political future is at risk blackmail?
We are telling the truth. We are not looking for trick questions with "virages and mirages". We want to tell Quebecers the truth. We have proved in Canada that we can live together, even if we do not all speak the same language or have the same colour skin. I am delighted to see the best example of what we can do in Canada in our gallery today: hockey players who worked as a team.
They have proven they can become the best in the world, French and English, but all of them proud Canadians.
Industry Canada October 4th, 1995
Yes, they have an obligation to say so.