House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2025, with 29% of the vote.
Public Services and Procurement February 12th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General found that the bidding process for ArriveCAN was not competitive. However, she could not say who at the Canada Border Services Agency decided to award the contract to GC Strategies. There is no way of knowing who is responsible for awarding this two-person company a contract worth nearly $20 million to not provide a service.
Who made that decision? Why has the government not reprimanded that individual? Where is the accountability for ArriveCAN?
Public Services and Procurement February 12th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General's report on the ArriveCAN app is damning. The app cost $60 million, with nearly $20 million of that, or one-third, being pocketed by GC Strategies, which did no work at all. The government turned a blind eye, and contractors clearly profited, with support from civil servants. Do not forget that the value of the original contract was $80,000. This scandal has cost $60 million.
How is it possible that costs ballooned by 750% and yet no ministers caught on?
Quebec Winter Carnival February 7th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, there is only one weekend left to attend the world's greatest and most popular winter carnival, the Quebec Winter Carnival. Visitors will be just in time to watch the parade in upper town this Saturday. Come one, come all, for some dancing and some fun.
Come one, come all, to marvel at everything made of ice, such as cups, sculptures, and even Bonhomme's Ice Palace. Come one, come all, to enjoy the warm, friendly welcome that the 1,500 volunteers, Quebec City residents and shopkeepers are so well known for.
Quebec City is like no other city in North America, and its carnival is unlike any other in the world. Come one, come all, and join in the 70th Quebec Winter Carnival.
Enjoy the carnival.
Business of Supply February 6th, 2024
Madam Speaker, it is possible to do two things at once. I will clarify my previous question to ensure the member understands. Obviously, consultation and coordination are essential when it comes to an issue as serious as auto theft, and crime in general. That said, there used to be preventative measures in place, but they were removed. Everyone knows that they are preventative measures. They have never been reinstated. We should be perfectly capable of considering their reinstatement while also discussing, coordinating and consulting.
Why do my colleagues think we cannot do two things at once?
Business of Supply February 6th, 2024
Madam Speaker, once again, we have a situation where one party is pointing fingers at the other, and then that party just points fingers back. One says it has a better solution, and the other says the opposite. Eventually, everyone points fingers at our party.
That said, prevention is always a good thing. Have mistakes been made in the past? Yes, mistakes may have been made in the past when prevention measures were eliminated. We know that these prevention measures were eliminated. We know that these are good measures, including adding more CBSA officers. That is a good preventive measure.
Why not implement that right away, without waiting for the results of another meeting of discussions and consultations? We are aware of possible solutions. We can move forward. Why not go ahead and follow some of the same approaches that have worked in the past?
Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, 2023 February 5th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, right now we are voting on a bill to implement an agreement. To my knowledge, members of Parliament are never included in the process of negotiating agreements. We are presented with a fait accompli.
Since we cannot amend agreements, what does my colleague think of the attempts that we are seeing in the House to amend agreements and policies, instead of voting on a bill?
Small Business February 5th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are bragging about the fact that 80% of SMEs paid back their CEBA loans on time, but that is not good news. That means that 20% of SMEs are at high risk of bankruptcy. We are not talking about multinationals. We are talking about small business and restaurant owners in our communities.
The government needs to do three things: Deal with each case on a case-by-case basis, guarantee loans from financial institutions and reinstate the $20,000 subsidy. Why is it so hard for the government to be flexible in helping the business owners in our communities? It does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out.
Victims of Attacks in Burkina Faso January 31st, 2024
Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay tribute to six Quebeckers who were tragically killed during the terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou on January 15, 2016.
The attacks claimed the lives of four members of a Lac-Beauport family—Yves Carrier; his wife, Gladys Chamberland; their children, Charles-Élie and Maude Carrier—and two of their friends from the Quebec City area, Suzanne Bernier and Louis Chabot, all of whom were loved and cherished. They were planning on building a school.
After all these years, although the pain has not dissipated, it is important to remember that they were ambassadors of peace, committed to promoting both understanding and unity. Let us take inspiration from the love and tolerance they embodied. Let us defend the values that were so dear to their hearts. Let us fight against the darkness, as they did, using the light of solidarity, compassion and humanity. Let us find the strength to build a world where peace will prevail over hatred.
Gladys, Yves, Charles-Élie, Maude, Louis and Suzanne—
Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023 January 30th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, there is a difference between affordable housing and social housing. One is barely 10% below market value. The other offers services and ongoing support, which is something older people in particular need. Speaking of older people, some people aged 65 to 74 are in good shape, others not so much. Creating two classes of seniors is a problem, especially for women, who were not able to put as much away for retirement because they were looking after children and being family caregivers.
Here is what I want to ask my colleague. Recent budgets and the latest economic update did not put an end to this discrimination against seniors. When will the government take care of that?
Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023 January 30th, 2024
Madam Speaker, the government brags about being a great environmentalist and bringing in all the necessary measures to protect the environment. Nevertheless, the government has offered the oil companies tax credits to the tune of $83 billion in the last two budgets. We can add to that the billions of dollars it is giving them to set up carbon capture plants, which the International Energy Agency says are an illusion, an experimental technology.
Can my colleague tell me what real measures the government is going to bring in to truly support the economy and the environment?