Jean-Claude D'Amours

[Canada-U.S. Border, May 15th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, it is not enough to stand up and speak: one must also act.

Having good relations with the United States does not mean just having good relations with Washington. Seven of the 10 Canadian provinces and one territory are neighbours of the United States, and 12 American states are neighbours of Canada.

We shall have the proof today, in Bonn, that the government takes its orders on global warming from Washington.

When the people in the border communities begin losing their jobs because of reduced traffic, it will be too late.

How then does the Prime Minister justify being so quick to bow to the American administration?

[Canada-U.S. Border, May 15th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the people in the border regions, such as those in my riding, know that the free circulation of goods and persons between Canada and the United States is essential.

At the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, the premiers of New Brunswick, Quebec and other provinces, as well as the governors of the six New England states, unanimously asked Congress to delay the coming into force of the legislation that would compel all citizens of both countries to present a passport at the border.

Why is this government then so determined to kneel before the American administration?

[Employment Insurance Act, May 8th, 2006]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-263, An act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (elimination of waiting period).

Mr. Speaker, first I wish to thank my colleague from Beauséjour for supporting this bill.

Today, I am proud and honoured to introduce this bill, which will help improve the lives of seasonal workers. The purpose of the bill is to eliminate the two-week waiting period that precedes payment of employment insurance benefits. After taking into account the best weeks in previous years, these changes to the Employment Insurance Act will enable seasonal workers to receive employment benefits more quickly.

For several months, I have been working hard in order to introduce this bill in the House of Commons so that the employment insurance system can best meet the needs of seasonal workers.

We are at the first reading stage and I hope that the government will support workers by passing this bill. This program is of vital importance in my riding.

I am therefore very proud of my efforts on behalf of the citizens of Madawaska—Restigouche.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Saint-Joseph de Madawaska School, May 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I will take time today to talk about a group of young students in my riding.

On March 27, I was invited to talk to a class at the Saint-Joseph de Madawaska school about the duties and responsibilities of a member of Parliament. In our discussions, the students were particularly interested in Canadian politics and the parliamentary system in general. I must say I answered a lot of interesting questions and came to understand through this opportunity that we must take the time to talk with our society's young people, as they are its future.

I would like to thank Jessica Bernier, Brenda Bossé, Stacey Bossé, Stéphanie Bossé, Beverlie Boucher, Kaven Lagacé, Pierre Landry, Jonathan Levesque, Mélanie Levesque, Vincent Michaud, Amélie Morin, Pénélope Morin, Dominic Nadeau, Chloé Ouellet, Frédéric Plourde, Vincent Sirois-Turgeon and Frédéric Thériault for welcoming me into their social studies class. My thanks as well to their teacher, Martine Martin.

[The Budget, May 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, my question is about employment insurance.

The hon. member mentioned earlier that the Conservative government is a new government. But the Bloc Québécois is not necessarily a new political party. In my opinion, the Bloc has failed seasonal workers when it comes to employment insurance because it is now prepared to support a budget that is silent on employment insurance.

I wonder whether the hon. member really believes that the budget is so good for people in rural communities, when we worked to improve things. In addition, we listened to the committee that was looking at seasonal work in the Lower St. Lawrence region in order to advance this issue.

[Public Health Agency of Canada Act, May 2nd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw my hon. colleague’s attention to an important aspect.

Addressing the question of the Public Health Agency of Canada is one thing, but pandemics are something else entirely. Also, in regard to another reality, we must be able to provide the people of Canada with food that, in my view, is worth eating.

Let us speak, therefore, of the example of dairy substitutes. This problem exists not just in my region but all across the country. We cannot even have products nowadays that are 100% dairy. We are forced to import dairy substitutes to make cheese and ice cream.

My position is clear in this regard. Would my hon. colleague agree that we should proceed in exactly the same way as the previous government, which is to introduce a bill that would improve things for Canadians by eliminating the entire question of dairy substitutes? This bill would both help our dairy farms and give Canadians some assurance that they are consuming very good quality products.

[Birthday wishes, May 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I want to take time today to wish my little girl a happy birthday. Émilie was born at this very minute, exactly one year ago.

Despite the fact that I am here in Ottawa today she is with me in my thoughts. This past year has been a wonderful time in my life. To watch my little girl grow and explore the world brings me great joy.

We have to take time to be with our children and teach them the values of our society because they are the future. Every moment I spend with my daughter is a memorable one. I am very proud of my daughter Émilie and I wish her much success in the future.

As we all know, parliamentary life requires me to be away from home to serve the people of Madawaska—Restigouche. I want to thank my wife for taking such good care of our child.

Happy birthday, Émilie.

[International Bridges and Tunnels Act, May 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I had a chance to speak about the importance of international bridges for regions like mine, but we should look at this issue from the standpoint of the environmental impact as well. My hon. colleague’s party does not necessarily like to talk about the environment. That party, it seems to me, prefers to put all environmental issues aside.

There is an incinerator very close to the riding of Madawaska—Restigouche. Does my hon. colleague think that it is good and appropriate to take contaminants or any toxic materials from our American neighbours to burn and process them here in Canada? Is that a priority for them? Is the environment more important? We need to work very hard on this problem.

In conclusion, I was at a Ducks Unlimited event last weekend. In studying the situation, it becomes clear that we need to work very hard in order to stabilize the environment in our regions and our wetlands. My hon. colleague will have a chance to tell us whether it really is a good thing to bring these materials to Canada.

[International Bridges and Tunnels Act, May 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his speech.

In my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche, there are three international bridges in the region of Madawaska alone. They are located in Clair, Edmunston and Saint-Léonard.

My honourable colleague mentioned at the end of his speech that there will be uninterrupted access and that is important.

Can my honourable colleague tell us whether or not these bridges will in future receive funding for infrastructure improvements? Could he clarify the new American border crossing policy: will we need a passport to cross? Will that mean that there will no longer be the free flow that he mentioned?

Madawaska—Restigouche is an important riding with its three international bridges. There is a considerable amount of activity and trade between Canada and the United States.

Thus, I would like to ask my honourable colleague if he anticipates a significant investment. I would also like to know if the free flow which he spoke of excludes, on the part of our American friends, border restrictions and the requirement to carry a passport.

[Federal Accountability Act, April 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask a question of my colleague across the way, whom I thank for his statement.

I would like to address certain points. My colleague mentioned that government must be accountable, and that is certainly important. We must, however, be aware of certain realities. After ministers leave politics, they cannot become lobbyists, but is it acceptable for lobbyists to become ministers? We must ask ourselves this question, which is directly related to accountability.

And now for the question for my hon. colleague. Many promises are made during election campaigns. Does he think that a government that fails to keep all of the promises made by its elected members or candidates during the last election campaign is an accountable government?