Joël Godin

[Regional Economic Development, March 11th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, a report published by the Institut de la statistique du Québec says that many regions are emptying out to the detriment of the major centres. Our regions are important and so are the people who live there.

We need to put tools in place to help SMEs grow and prosper. That's because our regions can create jobs and become more appealing to people that way. We need to support them.

What does the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development intend to do so that Quebec's regions finally feel as though this government cares about them?

[The Economy, February 24th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, where is this government going to get the money to finance its out-of-control spending? The Liberal “party” has begun. Taxpayers and SMEs across the country are worried about this government's lack of responsibility. Canadian companies have lost faith in the government. The Liberals need to be honest: they are going to get the money to pay for these astronomical deficits from taxpayers' pockets.

How does the government intend to stop this hemorrhage of money and start acting responsibly?

[The Economy, February 24th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, this government is abandoning Canadians. We left the house in order. In November, there was a $1 billion surplus. That is a fact.

During the election campaign, the Liberals promised that they would run a modest deficit. They think that $18 billion is a modest amount. The meter is still running.

How high will this number be in a month, when the budget is brought down? If the government has no control over revenues as it says, then does its much-touted plan include provisions for controlling spending?

[Regional Economic Development, February 18th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the minister's silence is very disconcerting.

I repeat, 3,000 jobs were lost in January. Is there anyone at the controls?

This government has no plan to help the regions of Quebec. I would like the minister to clarify his intentions with respect to the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. Is he aware of the positive impact this agency has on all regions of Quebec and the businesses and the thousands of workers who benefit from it?

Can this government show through concrete action that it takes the economic development of all regions of Quebec seriously?

[Regional Economic Development, February 18th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, 3,000 jobs were lost in Quebec in January, after more than six months of stability under the Conservative government. We are now starting to feel the effect this government is having on the economy. Jobs are being lost at Bombardier, at Rio Tinto, and in the forestry sector.

What is the minister responsible for economic development doing about it? He has posted an online questionnaire, and the first question is “...what are the main economic strengths or assets of your region...?” I hope the minister already knows the answer.

Is he trying to familiarize himself with Quebec's regions and learn about the expertise of its workers?

[Valcartier Vacation Village, February 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I want to tell my colleagues that in my beautiful riding of Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier there is an iconic attraction that everyone should know about, the Valcartier Vacation Village. This not-to-be-missed attraction in the Quebec City region belongs to a daring entrepreneur named Guy Drouin, who is now working on a new project. He is investing $65 million in a new tourist attraction that will allow visitors to enjoy a taste of summer all year long. An indoor water park and a luxury hotel will offer guests an unforgettable experience.

I think it is important to point out that Mr. Drouin's project is 100% privately funded, which proves that it is possible to succeed in business without the help of government. All it takes is some creativity, originality and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

I would like to once again congratulate Mr. Drouin for his commitment and determination to build such an attraction in Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier. He developed a one-of-a-kind concept that is going to take shape in our community. Mr. Drouin is a man of vision who is helping to put our community on the map for the last 40 years.

[Foreign Affairs, January 28th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, on January 15, six Canadians from the Quebec City region lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Burkina Faso.

Since the beginning of this tragedy, the government has failed the victims. No government representative attended the vigil in memory of the victims. Yesterday, the minister from the Quebec City region refused to confirm whether he or a government representative would attend the funeral. The people in the Quebec City region are anxious to have their government take an interest in them.

While respecting the families' wishes, can the minister help his government save face and confirm that he, the Prime Minister, or one of his cabinet colleagues will attend the funeral?

[Foreign Affairs, January 25th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the recent attacks in which seven Canadians lost their lives were terrorist attacks. Reality is catching up with the Prime Minister. He has to realize that we are not bystanders and that the terrorist threat is real.

Canada should not be on the sidelines when it comes to the international coalition. Canada must keep up its air strikes in order to root out terrorism. Training and humanitarian assistance are not enough to deal with these terrorists.

Can the Prime Minister reassure Canadians and tell them that we will continue to have an important role in the fight against ISIS?

[Foreign Affairs, January 25th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the families of the victims of the terrorist attack in Burkina Faso found out through the media that their loved ones had died. It was not until 48 hours after the attack, after the official opposition intervened, that they finally got a call from the government.

Since the attacks, we have not seen any compassion from the Prime Minister. His call to the husband of one of the victims was not worthy of a prime minister. The mother of another victim even said, and I quote, “I'm ashamed of my Prime Minister.”

How does the Prime Minister justify his attitude towards the families of these victims and his government's bungling?

[Terrorist Attacks in Indonesia and Burkina Faso, January 25th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House to address all Canadians about the tragedies that took place in Jakarta and Ouagadougou. Let us remember Tahar Amer-Ouali, a hearing aid specialist from Laval, who was sadly killed in an attack in Indonesia.

Let us also remember the victims of the attack in Burkina Faso: Louis Chabot and Suzanne Bernier, from the greater Quebec City area; and Maude Carrier, Charlelie Carrier, Gladys Chamberland and Yves Carrier, from Lac-Beauport, in the riding of Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier.

They were all working to help and bring hope to the people of Burkina Faso. Everyone who knew them describes these individuals as generous, compassionate, and giving. No one deserves such a tragic death, and our community has lost some extraordinary people.

It is our duty to honour their memory. Let us respond to these cruel, unfair, and unfathomable attacks by working together to combat the terrorist threat and build a better world.