House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 35% of the vote.
Employment Insurance April 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, when we presented measures to help the unemployed, I noticed that the Bloc voted against every single one of them. I also want to share this new reality with the Bloc MPs. When we presented our economic action plan, they voted against it. We just got our report card from Statistics Canada.
For the fifth month in a row, Canada's gross domestic product has increased by 0.6%. That means we made the right decisions, which they voted against.
First World War Veterans March 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the passing of John “Jack” Babcock, Canada’s last known veteran of the first world war, in February reminded us of one of the most important chapters in our nation’s history and reinforced our duty to remember those who served.
When war broke out in Europe, an astonishing number of young Canadians took up the fight for freedom on distant shores.
Between 1914 and 1918 an entire generation of Canada's finest saw a threat to basic human rights. They volunteered to meet it and they defeated it in a magnificent and uniquely Canadian way.
More than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served alongside allied forces—fighting to protect the peace and freedom we enjoy today. Of those, more than 68,000 gave their lives and another 170,000 would be wounded. They were innovative and independent. Nothing was impossible.
Battling trench foot and shell shock, they led the events that captured Vimy Ridge 93 years ago this Friday, April 9. The victory at Vimy Ridge is considered Canada's coming of age as a nation.
Despite suffering the difficult hardships of trench warfare, they survived the horrors of Ypres and Passchendaele.
And despite the fact that casualties sometimes numbered in the thousands in a single day, their ideals and beliefs spurred them on so that they could later build a nation that is strong, free and proud.
They propelled Canada onto the international stage. They were known around the world for their unparalleled contributions and accomplishments during the war effort.
Winston Churchill once said:
Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarante2s all others.
The courage of this generation of Canadians guaranteed not only those other human qualities but also shaped the spirit of our great nation.
After the war, they came home, married and raised families. The started businesses. They returned to fields and forest, to factories and mines. These extraordinary Canadians returned to their daily lives and built a great country.
Their sense of duty and service laid the foundation for which Canadians have become known around the world. They changed the lives of a generation of Canadians and the lives of generations to come. Our economy progressed and grew. Our social fabric evolved and our population became more multicultural thanks to this generation.
They gave Canadians a stronger sense of national identity and pride.
Their personal sacrifice led to the greater good of humankind and gave this country the beginnings of the cohesive, modern military we have today. And although we mourn the passing of the last living link to this generation, we must take a moment for reflection and then look forward.
Nearly a century after the First World War ended, Canada is a strong and vigorous nation.
It is the duty of all Canadians to appreciate, really and truly appreciate, the freedoms we are blessed with today.
Today, together with the Prime Minister, I had the opportunity to sign the Book of Reflection in a tribute to the men and women who played a role in the Great War, and add these few words, “In homage to the 68,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives so that we might live to see better days.”
These books are located in many areas of the country for Canadians to sign, as well. They are part of a larger commemoration that honours and remembers those who have gone before us. On April 9—Vimy Ridge Day—commemorative services will be held at the National War Memorial here in Ottawa, as well as in many cities across Canada. These ceremonies offer Canadians the opportunity to take a moment and salute all those who died in service to this country so that we may enjoy the values of a democratic society.
Let us not forget that freedom must not be taken for granted. It is still under threat. One only need watch the evening news to know that conflict continues around the world and that, in every instance, freedom is threatened.
It is my sincere hope that our citizens mark this important milestone in this nation's continuing history and heritage by signing a book of reflection.
That is the very best tribute we could ever pay to what I would call “Canada's greatest generation.” I say to my colleagues on both sides of the House of Commons today, that I am very proud to be part of a Canada that remembers the First World War.
Veterans March 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I would like to reiterate that the ombudsman is also reviewing this matter.
I will remind the member of the importance of giving the right message. Not only do veterans receive a lump-sum payment—they are not left to their own devices with just this amount—but they attend a rehabilitation program and receive 75% of their salary until they reintegrate into civilian life and find employment with a comparable salary. That is what we are doing.
The two measures are linked. I am not indifferent to their plight. We are currently examining this issue to see what people do with their lump sum payment.
Veterans March 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for again raising this important matter.
We know that 68,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders lost their lives in World War I and that the last Canadian known to have served in that war has passed away. I am talking about John Babcock.
In the next two weeks, there will be a number of events to underscore the significance of what happened. The values of democracy and freedom drove those who fought during World War I to give us a better life.
On April 9, a large commemorative event will be held in their honour.
Employment Insurance March 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I understand the Bloc Québécois member's concerns about this and, I must say, this is a very important issue for everyone from Quebec. It is very important for the cabinet as well.
As I was saying, we are currently looking into the matter. Of course we are talking about the Lower St. Lawrence and North Shore regions. This includes workers and people from the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. I ask the hon. member to be patient. We would like to conduct the best possible analysis.
Veterans Affairs March 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for his sensitivity to this issue.
I would remind the House that a number of events will take place over the next two weeks to honour the contributions of those involved in the first world war. As we know, 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders were involved in the war, and 68,000 of them paid the ultimate price by giving their lives.
A special event is scheduled for April 9. A commemorative ceremony will take place at the National War Memorial here in Ottawa. All Canadians are invited to share their thoughts by signing the Book of Reflection over the next few days.
Veterans Affairs March 25th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the member is referring to the restoration of certain monuments. An advisory committee is looking at those proposals and will make suggestions to the minister.
Once again, the program for new monuments and cenotaphs is not yet available. It will soon be submitted to Cabinet for a final recommendation and we will then see what it contains.
It is quite proper that proposals are submitted to the minister and that the latter makes the final decision.
Veterans Affairs March 25th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, in the 2010 budget, $1 million in each of the next two years will be used to honour our military dead. We want to help Canadians build new cenotaphs. Naturally, our officials will analyze the projects submitted and a recommendation will be made to the minister.
Employment Insurance March 24th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I will say again, as I said last week, that with regard to employment insurance and transitional measures—for the Lower St. Lawrence and the North Shore, among others—we are still studying this matter.
I would like to remind members that this measure has been extended five times since 2000. We are taking a hard look at this measure. I would also remind the House that we have put in place six or seven new measures to help the unemployed in recent months and that, each time, the Bloc, the resistance party, voted against them.
Airline Security March 22nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I want to repeat that I did not ask for any preferential treatment whatsoever. I just would not do that. I repeat that I apologize to anyone I may have offended.