House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was leader.

Last in Parliament May 2004, as Liberal MP for Saint-Maurice (Québec)

Won his last election, in 2000, with 54% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Social Program Reform April 21st, 1994

Mr. Speaker, if the Leader of the Opposition would read the whole speech, I also said that people on welfare and unemployment insurance have only one desire, and that is to have the dignity of work, and that they do not want to sit around doing nothing. Perhaps the term I used was unfortunate, but I did mention, and that was the theme of our election campaign, "the dignity of work". I said there were people who were at home doing nothing, and I could have said it differently. If this was offensive, I apologize. What I meant and what I said repeatedly during the election campaign

and what I say when I travel across the country today, is that people want all governments and all members of this House to work together to create jobs. They are sick and tired of partisan squabbling. Instead of concentrating on the real issues which are about giving everyone dignity and jobs, they talk about independence, separation and constitutional problems, at a time when people want jobs. These people want to work. If I offended anyone, I apologize. The hon. member should have read the whole speech. It is a reflection of our election platform-dignity and work.

Government Contracts April 19th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, soon.

Youth Unemployment April 19th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, I think that the hon. member knows the policy of this government.

The best way to convince the people of Quebec to remain in Canada is to have a good administration in Ottawa and have members of Parliament who show tolerance and not play on the prejudices of people.

Youth Unemployment April 19th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, it is exactly what the Minister of Human Resources Development is doing at this time. He is talking with the provincial governments about it and he is exploring a lot of these ideas. Some provinces think we are moving too fast.

The hon. leader of the Reform Party would move without talking to the provinces.

We want to make some changes. We would like to have a better system. We know that it would be preferable not to do it unilaterally so we are having discussions at this time. There was supposed to be a meeting yesterday. The provinces were not ready. We have postponed the meeting in order to give them more time.

We think it is the right thing to do. All the premiers are asking us to consult with them and it is something the hon. leader's own father used to ask of the federal government; that before moving we should consult with the provinces. We are consulting with them. We will see what they have to say and will advise the House.

Youth Unemployment April 19th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, we have a program to assist young people.

Perhaps the hon. member does not agree with the idea that the federal government should spend money to help people, especially young people, but now I hear him say that we should spend money.

I am very happy he might find better ways but I am delighted for the nation to hear the leader of the Reform Party tell us to spend more money on young people. I take notice of that.

Action Plan For Young People April 19th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs said earlier, we have a national responsibility in the area of job creation, and it is one of this government's priorities to find ways to help youth find jobs.

If the Leader of the Opposition spent any time reading the Liberal Party's platform in the red book, he would see that it is all there, and the people voted for this platform, and that is why we are governing the country today.

Bst Growth Hormone April 18th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health answered this question which has been asked several times already. If the committee made a unanimous recommendation in this respect, the Minister of Agriculture will take it into account, and if this issue comes under the Minister of Health's jurisdiction, she will take it into account and will report to the House in due course.

Human Rights April 18th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, we have a policy of protecting human rights and we raise that question with every country when it is involved.

In the question the hon. member referred to, I answered that when there is an international boycott we participate in the international boycott. When there is no international boycott and we have trade relations we have to maintain those trade relations. That is exactly what I tried to explain. If the member did not understand, that is what I said.

We are not happy with the level of human rights in China and we protest. We always mention them. However, we want to do business with China.

In my view it is very important that we do business with these countries because not only will it have an economic benefit, but the more open a country like that becomes the greater is the chance that eventually human rights will be respected.

The hon. member referred to Haiti or Somalia. When there was an international boycott, Canada was there trying to help while still respecting the boycott. We did that and we were the last ones.

For example, concerning South Africa, we supported the government that was here before that unfortunately is not very well represented in the House any more.

Contracts For Advertising And Opinion Polls April 18th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, obviously his supplementary was prepared before he rose in the House, because the guidelines have not yet been finalized.

In other words, the first answer applies to the second question as well.

Contracts For Advertising And Opinion Polls April 18th, 1994

Mr. Speaker, no guidelines have been issued yet. The question is still before cabinet, and as soon as we are ready, the guidelines will be tabled.