Jean Rioux

[Remembrance Day, November 7th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, we owe our freedom and the values we cherish to the sacrifices of women and men who fought courageously to defend our ideals. Bravely, they vanquished the enemy. Vimy, Passchendaele, Canada's Hundred Days: these were the victories that earned us the respect of our allies.

Let us keep their legacy alive because their dedication is the reason we now enjoy peace and freedom.

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the armistice this year, we honour all those who have served and are serving. On November 11, we will remember what they did to ensure peace for Canadians.

We must honour and carry on their mission every day by seeking peaceful solutions to all our conflicts.

[Community Solidarity, October 26th, 2018]

Madam Speaker, two events demonstrating community solidarity were held recently in my riding of Saint-Jean.

I want to commend Lise Boulanger for organizing volunteers to serve meals to people in need on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

I also want to shine a spotlight on the Table en itinérance de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. In collaboration with several local organizations, this homeless advocacy group organized our community's first Homeless Night. This awareness-raising event was a reminder of the importance of the work done by the Table en itinérance. In co-operation with Actions Dépendances, it is currently developing an inspiring project to provide services to people facing homelessness.

I would like to congratulate the volunteers and stakeholders for getting involved. Their commitment helps make our country a better place, and I have the utmost respect for them.

[National Defence, September 19th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, keeping Canadians safe means confronting instability around the world. In November, we announced a series of commitments to optimize Canada's impact and its contribution to UN missions. In March, we announced plans to deploy an air task force to Mali for a one-year period.

Would the Prime Minister please update the House on the peace support operation in Mali?

[Fleur Bleue Heritage Achievement Award, June 14th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, every year, the Musée du Haut-Richelieu awards its Prix du mérite patrimonial Fleur bleue.

I would like to congratulate Georges Coulombe, who won a special tribute award for helping to maintain our cultural heritage by restoring a number of heritage buildings.

Alain Paquette won the individual achievement award for his historical reference work on our region's businesses.

The Musée du Fort Saint-Jean has worked hard over the past few years to develop original activities that showcase regional history and our garrison town heritage. It won the organizational achievement award.

The jury's choice award went to Domaine Trinity, a major restoration project that transformed several heritage buildings.

I would like to congratulate all these passionate people who have helped preserve and share the history and heritage of the riding of Saint-Jean.

[National Defence, June 7th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin for his question.

We worked hard on developing a policy that was both ambitious and realistic and we consulted Canadians who told us clearly that we must take care of the well-being of the men and women of the armed forces and their families.

Unlike the Conservatives, we promised to increase defence spending by 70% over the next 10 years in order to ensure Canada's protection, the safety of North America, and to pursue our commitment in the world.

[National Defence, June 7th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, our government is determined to provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment, training, and support they need to allow our men and women in uniform to fulfill their important mission at home and abroad. The “Strong, Secure, Engaged” policy will ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces have the right equipment and the right training to fulfill their mission. After 10 years of underfunding and cuts to the armed forces by the previous Conservative government, we are determined to ensure that our men and women in uniform are better equipped and better prepared.

[Public Services and Procurement, June 7th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the previous Conservative government, which failed to support defence, we are ensuring that the Canadians Armed Forces have the proper equipment and training to be able to carry out the important missions they are asked to fulfill.

The Canadian Armed Forces redistribute the equipment to make sure that their members have the equipment they need when they need it. Our recruitment initiatives have been successful and have strengthened the army reserve. These new recruits will need even more equipment than those who are on postings or involved in training exercises.

[National Defence, June 1st, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, during this Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, we are reiterating our commitment to strengthening victims' rights in our military justice system. By introducing Bill C-77, we are adding a declaration of victims' rights to the Code of Service Discipline under the National Defence Act.

This bill includes a provision to incorporate indigenous consideration, something the previous Conservative government neglected to include.

[Saint-Jean, May 9th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, the vitality and development of our ridings depend entirely on the engagement of the people who live there.

Our entrepreneurs' determination and especially their perseverance are key drivers of economic activity. St-Jean Pizzeria is a perfect example. Congratulations to the Petrozza family and the many employees who, for 50 years now, have been contributing to the economic growth of Saint-Jean.

A young Italian immigrant from Calabria realized his dream in 1968 when he decided to set up shop in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and share his culinary talents with us. Today we are celebrating this institution's many years of success bringing the flavours of Italy to our community. I join thousands of happy customers in sincerely thanking this distinguished Saint-Jean family.

[National Defence, April 27th, 2018]

I thank the member for Mississauga—Lakeshore for his question, Madam Speaker, and for his work on the Standing Committee on National Defence.

The Canadian Armed Forces' most valuable resources are their staff and families. Our government is committed to improving support for military families, for example through new investments of $6 million a year in military family resource centres.

In so doing, we acknowledge how important it is to make services available to military children across the country so that we can contribute to their present and future success.