Jean-François Fortin

[Crisis in the Philippines, November 20th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I would like to say how devastated we are by this tragedy. We want to offer our condolences to the Filipino people during this difficult time.

A number of our Filipino constituents have loved ones and relatives who are affected by this tragedy. We offer them our deepest sympathy. We want them to know that our hearts go out to them. We ask them to stay strong during these painful moments and to have faith that there will be brighter days.

Today our thoughts go out to the women, men and children in the Philippines who are dealing with the impact of this humanitarian tragedy. Times like these are a harsh reminder of how fragile life can be and how much wilder the elements are becoming.

I would also like us to address the fact that the people most affected by these increasingly frequent tragedies are usually the poorest people, whose modest homes are no match for violent winds, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods or earthquakes.

The immediate needs are enormous, and the suffering is unmistakable. In the face of such devastation, we must demonstrate our concern as well as our full solidarity and support. At this time, getting assistance to the people who need it is a huge job, but there will be much more to do in the near future in terms of planning the reconstruction and stabilizing the situation for anyone who has been displaced.

I wish to recognize the many generous acts of all Quebeckers and Canadians who have been deeply touched by this tragedy and who have shown their solidarity with the people of the Philippines by donating as much as they can.

The Canadian government is currently providing considerable assistance, but there are other ways that we could be contributing more. We need to be creative, and most importantly, we must act quickly. Canada should focus on humanitarian assistance, as well as introduce measures to bring more of the disaster victims to Canada and expedite family reunification for those who already have a family member in Canada.

In closing, there are many humanitarian organizations that are making a difference, such as the Canadian Red Cross, which has just set up a facility in the Ormoc region to meet basic medical needs. It is our duty to help and to show solidarity.

[Canadian Multiculturalism Act, November 19th, 2013]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-553, An Act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (non-application in Quebec).

Mr. Speaker, recent discussions about Quebec values have very clearly demonstrated the fundamental difference between Quebec and Canadian perceptions of common values and the integration of newcomers.

Given that Quebeckers form a nation, they have the right to decide themselves how to define their identity and protect their common values, particularly regarding the protection of the French language, the neutrality of the state and gender equality.

That is why I am introducing a bill today to exclude Quebec from the jurisdiction of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, which is not adapted to Quebec realities.

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

[Intergovernmental Relations, November 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, in the Champlain Bridge saga, the Minister of Infrastructure refuses to give the Government of Quebec its fair share of the new $4 billion discretionary fund, which would help cover the cost of the LRT that Greater Montreal is looking for.

The minister claims that it is not a discretionary fund since the projects will be selected on merit. However, with no regional distribution or any known criteria, it looks an awful lot like a discretionary fund. Quebec has found a project with merit: the LRT. The minister must commit to giving Quebec its share of the new fund for the Champlain Bridge.

[National Housing Act, November 7th, 2013]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-550.

Mr. Speaker, the proposed enactment amends the National Housing Act to provide that part of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s retained earnings from its housing loan insurance business be transferred to the provinces, to meet their urgent needs for affordable social housing.

The bill will limit the potential equity of the CMHC to about 1% of its loan portfolio, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.

These measures would ensure that anything in excess of the amounts provided for in the reserve fund and equity would be returned to Quebec and the provinces, so that they could invest the money to meet their needs.

This new money from the CMHC could be added to the program already in place and would enable Quebec and the provinces to maintain current funding levels and to develop and reinvest in the construction, renovation and conversion of affordable housing.

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

[Canadian Museum of History Act, November 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, once again, the government is using an exceptional measure, namely time allocation. This use of time allocation is designed to give us fewer opportunities to talk about an important bill. Usually, this measure would be used by a government in exceptional circumstances. By using this measure for the 57th time, the government is once again flouting democracy and is seeking to ensure that parliamentarians are not able to debate a topic that is fundamental to and important for democracy.

Earlier, a member asked why the government is once again using time allocation. The answer is simple. It wants to make history and put this type of rhetoric and abusive process on display in its own propaganda museum. The minister was very open about the fact that they are going to create a new museum. It makes me wonder though, since the museum already exists. Why create a new museum when there is one that already fulfills the role it was created for? Renovations are all well and good, but we are worried that the minister and the government are once again trying to influence history by creating a propaganda museum.

[Employment Insurance, November 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I urge the minister to re-read the decision made by the Commissioner of Official Languages.

The Conservatives are once again using employment insurance for partisan purposes. They are helping themselves to billions of dollars from the fund to lower corporate taxes and fund their battle against the deficit, but they are doing nothing to help workers and employers across the regions of Quebec.

In the last mammoth bill, the Conservatives even set out a way to legalize their scheme. They got rid of the Employment Insurance Financing Board, an agency that was responsible for ensuring that EI contributions were being used for the EI program.

When will the government stop siphoning money from workers and employers?

[Fisheries and Oceans, November 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Commissioner of Official Languages has been clear: the closing of the library at the Maurice Lamontagne marine research institute, the only French-language library of its kind in Canada, violates the government's official languages obligations.

Nevertheless, the minister has still not bothered to respond to the written demands for her to confirm that she will abide by the law.

I am asking her here today whether she will respect the Commissioner of Official Languages' decision, put a stop to the moving process and guarantee that the library at the Maurice Lamontagne marine research institute in Mont-Joli will remain open.

[Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, October 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to move the following motion: That, in the opinion of this House, the government should set up an independent public inquiry to review the involvement of staff of the Prime Minister's Office and the Prime Minister himself in the actions that led to the repayment of expenses fraudulently claimed by Senator Duffy.

[Ethics, October 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, every day, new, damning revelations are coming out about the Conservative leader in the Senator Duffy affair. There is a hint of panic in the air.

Contradiction abounds, and the Prime Minister seems prepared to rewrite history to clear his name at all costs. However, the public has had enough. They want the truth, and 81% of them support the Bloc's call for an independent public inquiry.

Since he claims to be as pure as the driven snow, when will the Prime Minister launch an independent public inquiry?

[Economic Action Plan 2013 Act No. 2, October 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. He put his finger right on the problem.

The Conservative government is visiting the regions of Canada and talking out of both sides of its mouth. In Quebec, it is trying to minimize the impact of Justice Nadon's appointment. The Government of Quebec, as well as all of the parties represented in the National Assembly, have made the point that the future justice will have a hard time complying with the law and making rulings with the necessary knowledge of Quebec civil law. Quebec has every right to expect this from a Supreme Court judge who will have to make important rulings.

One may wonder why there are three judges. Some cases may be made public and may involve Quebec. Take, for example, the firearms registry, which could eventually end up in this court.

The Conservatives are always saying one thing to Quebec and another to Canada, but we are not fooled. We can see this is going on. With Bill C-4, the Conservatives are trying to legitimize this appointment decision in a roundabout way. However, the fact remains that Justice Nadon is not qualified to sit in Quebec.