House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 45% of the vote.
The Environment November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, of course the Bloc's environment critic or another member can come to Cancun as part of the Canadian delegation, if the Bloc so wishes. I am sure that Quebec's environment minister will also be going to Cancun. It is very important. They are all welcome to come. If the member for Vaudreuil-Soulanges wants to come too, she is welcome.
The Environment November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I will be very clear: any Bloc member who wants to come to the next United Nations conference is welcome to join me.
Afghanistan November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear with Canadians and we have been very clear with our allies that the combat mission in Afghanistan will end in 2011. We will honour that promise.
However, what we do want to do is to transition out of that combat mission and continue to provide aid and focus on development in Afghanistan.
As the Prime Minister said, a non-combat training role would ensure that the progress made by the Canadian Forces to date survives.
Afghanistan November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes the fact that we are a minority government, and we regularly work with opposition members from all three parties. We think that is an important responsibility. I have regularly worked with members of the New Democratic Party. I have worked with that one, that one and that one.
Hydroelectricity November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the crown corporation will review this request from the governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. I am well aware that this is an important project for them but I want to be very clear about the fact that Quebec must receive its share. The federal government has provided many programs and, if Quebec wants to submit a request to the same crown corporation, it is welcome to do so.
Hydroelectricity November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I am fully aware that my colleague the Minister of Natural Resources spoke with his Quebec counterpart. He said that his department has no programs to support the file in question. That is truly the case. therefore, the Minister of Natural Resources does not have a problem supporting this project.
National Defence November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite wants to talk about reckless allegations, that is incredibly so.
This is the reality. We were negotiating on behalf of Canada. We were negotiating on behalf of Canadian industry and Canadian workers. The deal on the table was not in the best interests of Canada.
Canada is a sovereign country. We are always going to stand up and do what is best for Canada.
National Defence November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, Canadian industry has supported the decision we made. Representatives of working men and women and national unions in Canada have supported the decision the government made.
The government did this because it was in the best interests of Canada. To do otherwise would have cost Canada literally tens of thousands of jobs in the years to come. Simply put, that is unacceptable.
National Defence November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we had negotiations with the United Arab Emirates. The offer that was on the table was not in the best interests of Canada. It would have cost Canada literally tens of thousands of jobs and was not in Canadian interests. That is why we said no.
Points of Order November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order because of what happened during question period.
I saw a newfound enthusiasm for Senate reform from our friends in the New Democratic Party, so I wanted to ask if there is unanimous consent for the following motion:
That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practices of the House, the second reading amendment to Bill C-10, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate term limits), be deemed to have been withdrawn, Bill C-10 be deemed to have been read a second time and referred to a committee of the whole, deemed to be considered in committee of the whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at report stage and deemed read a third time and passed.