Jean-François Fortin

[Maurice Lamontagne Institute, May 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, it has now been more than two months since Graham Fraser, the Commissioner of Official Languages, released his investigation report on the government's desire to close Fisheries and Oceans Canada's only French-language scientific library.

The report shows that the department's decision to close the MLI's library was made with no impact analysis. Such an analysis would have allowed the department to measure the effect of the decision on the recognition of French. The commissioner is clear: he formally asks the government to reverse its decision immediately. The international scientific community and media from around the world have weighed in and now describe this attempt as Canada's desire to destroy its scientific heritage.

The minister's inaction has now become negligence on her part. She is showing herself to be incapable of complying with the Official Languages Act. She said that she wanted to wait for the results of the investigation before acting, so it is now time for her to get on with it and confirm that the MLI library will remain open.

[International Trade, May 13th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, dairy and cheese producers in Quebec need to hear the real story on the agreement with the European Union.

The federal government needs to stop leaving them in the dark with respect to the compensation they will receive to make up for the losses incurred as a result of the 17,000 additional tonnes of European cheese that will be imported.

Quebec's agriculture minister is officially requesting that the government provide a clear picture of the situation and he wants the opinion of Quebec producers to be taken into consideration.

When will the Minister of Agriculture give dairy and cheese producers in Quebec some information and when will he give them their compensation?

[Employment Insurance, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, while Ottawa is raking in billions of dollars in surplus on the backs of unemployed workers, just 38.8% of those workers were able to get benefits in 2012 and 2013. That is the lowest rate ever recorded.

What is even more worrisome is that the period covered by the EI monitoring and assessment report still does not allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of the Conservatives' most recent reform, which brutally attacks workers in every region. The Quebec National Assembly condemned this reform, which is an all-out attack on Quebec, on two separate occasions.

When will the government once again use the employment insurance program for its true purpose, which is—

[Air Transportation, May 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec airport authorities are worried. Funding for their projects that are eligible for the next year of Transport Canada's airports capital assistance program, or ACAP, seems to be in jeopardy.

The information obtained indicates that there will be no assistance available for 2014 and 2015. Furthermore, their safety and security projects do not qualify for funding under the new building Canada plan.

Can the Minister of Transport reassure airport authorities and confirm right now that ACAP will be available starting this year?

[The Environment, May 1st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, a group of experts issued a report on the capture of shale gas. The group, which was commissioned by the Department of the Environment in 2012, deems that there is considerable uncertainty about the possible risks to the environment and to human health.

The environment commissioner raised a number of concerns about the possible consequences, including the release of pollutants into the environment. Environment Canada then confirmed to the commissioner that the department would develop a position and make its findings public in March 2014.

We have heard the government's propaganda. Now, what is Environment Canada's response?

[Intergovernmental Relations, April 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our thoughts are with the new federal Minister of Finance. Apparently he is fraught with worry about the state of Quebec's finances and its ability to return to a balanced budget.

Ironically, it is his government that changed the health care formula, which will deprive Quebec of $10 billion over 10 years; it is his government that allocated billions of dollars to Ontario's automotive industry, while abandoning dozens of manufacturing and forestry companies in Quebec; it is his government that has begun stripping Quebec of its jurisdiction over securities and undermining Quebec's entire financial sector; it is his government that ignored Quebec when it came time to award shipbuilding contracts, thereby depriving it of billions of dollars in spinoffs; and it is his government that eliminated the tax credit for labour-sponsored funds.

Since we all care about the Minister of Finance's well-being, I have some advice for him: to ease his concerns, all he has to do is reverse the unfair decisions made by his government regarding Quebec. Then everybody wins.

[Questions on the Order Paper, April 28th, 2014]

With regard to the Employment Insurance (EI) Operating Account and previous EI accounts for the last 10 years: (a) what was the actual total cost of the EI program (regular and special benefits); and (b) what was the actual total cost of administering the program for each of the last 10 years?

[The Environment, April 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, TransCanada is conducting seismic surveys in the Cacouna area of the St. Lawrence River. The company wants to build an oil terminal in the middle of a beluga breeding ground, a fragile habitat for this threatened species.

The National Energy Board has given the work the green light despite the fact that Fisheries and Oceans Canada has indicated that there is a significant risk of harming the belugas. TransCanada is also moving ahead with drilling. That could be the final blow for this threatened population.

How could the government have allowed the National Energy Board to do as it pleases when, according to Species at Risk Act, it has an obligation to protect the beluga, the symbol of the St. Lawrence?

[Canadian Heritage, April 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think the minister understood that the government's cuts to CBC/Radio-Canada are what led to cuts like the ones to Enquête. Three journalists and one producer will lose their jobs, which will have a direct impact on the quality of the content. Public affairs programs like Enquête play an essential role in democracy. Enquête has exposed cases of abuse, scandals and public money being wasted.

Why does the government continue to make cuts to the public broadcaster when programs like Enquête end up paying the price?

[Hon. Jim Flaherty, April 11th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, it was with shock, sadness and compassion that my colleagues and I learned yesterday of the death of Jim Flaherty, who had been a member of the House of Commons since 2006 and the finance minister for the Conservative government until just recently. Jim also held senior ministerial positions within the Ontario provincial government, where his talents were recognized.

Jim Flaherty left his mark on Canadian politics. In his own way and in a manner consistent with his values, he did what he thought was right and just for Canadians and his party. We will remember him and the economic legacy he left as finance minister, which marked the beginning of the 21st century.

Like any good politician, he did some good and some not so good things, depending on your political point of view, but he was always respectful and honest in his approach. Jim Flaherty was a great man with many good qualities. He was a man with heart.

With his intelligent sense of humour, he was sometimes able to make even his strongest opponents smile.

He was without a doubt a man who was respected by all of his peers in the House of Commons. He was an engaging man with bright eyes and a sharp mind who gave a lot to the community.

On behalf of my Bloc Québécois colleagues, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Jim's family, friends and relatives, as well as to all of his Conservative Party colleagues.