Lise Zarac

[Free Trade, February 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the global economic crisis there have been some worrying reactions from south of the border.

President Obama's new administration has launched an ambitious government program to kickstart the economy, and we offer our congratulations. However, some details are cause for legitimate concern.

Such is the case with the clause stating that the steel used in infrastructure projects, provided for in the economic stimulus plan, must be produced exclusively in the United States.

This is a blatant protectionist measure. If it is adopted, thousands upon thousands of steel jobs in this country would be threatened. In Quebec alone, an estimated 2,000 jobs would be on the line.

It is not too late. The Conservatives must remind our American partners about their obligations under NAFTA. Free trade policies have done much to improve the prosperity and competitiveness of Canadian and American companies. The Conservatives must ensure that this continues.

[Pay Equity, January 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, women working in businesses under federal jurisdiction represent more than 10% of the female workforce in Canada. Under the Conservatives, pay equity continues to move backwards instead of advancing. The Conservatives continue to violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Since pay equity is a right, why does this government insist on sabotaging women's right to pay equity?

[Address in Reply, January 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in the midst of this economic crisis, the government has given Canadians two throne speeches, but absolutely no plan.

The work of Parliament was suspended when what Canadians needed was for Parliament to get to work to protect their jobs, their savings and their retirement funds.

Now the government is sending its ministers to announce certain parts of the budget before presenting it here in the House of Commons tomorrow. It is disappointing to see that the government is still not ready to act in the professional, responsible manner that Canadians expect.

The budget must meet three important criteria. It must protect those who are most vulnerable in these difficult times. It must protect Canadian jobs in all regions of the country. And, most important of all, it must create jobs for the future and not saddle our children with a deficit and massive debt.

Why was the government so far off the mark when it announced a surplus to Canadians in its fall economic and fiscal update?

Why did the government spend so unwisely when conditions were better, thereby leaving us without the means we now need in this time of crisis? Why is it imposing on Canadians their first deficit in over ten years, without even considering the stimulus measures that are needed?

Seven months have passed since the House adjourned last June. Because of this government's decisions, Parliament has not been able to take concrete action to manage the financial crisis—

[The Economy, December 1st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the effects of the recession are already being felt on Main Street. When people lose their jobs, how can they pay their mortgage, their rent, their groceries?

Instead of creating jobs by breaking ground on new infrastructure projects, the Conservatives are delaying them and are sitting on $3 billion to hide their deficit.

How can we possibly have confidence in the Prime Minister when he is so cruelly lacking in common sense?

[The Economy, December 1st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, instead of taking action to protect the jobs and savings of Canadians, the Conservatives preferred to cling rigidly to their dogma.

Instead of protecting the jobs of people who work in our manufacturing industries, whether automobile parts or aeronautics, the Conservatives have attacked union rights and pay equity for women.

Why should Canadians have confidence in the Prime Minister?

[Infrastructure, November 24th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Federation of Canadian Municipalities denounced the delays and red tape that plagued the building Canada program under the Conservatives.

Why on earth will the Conservative government not allow municipalities to access the $3 billion infrastructure fund that is just sitting there, so our cities can create new jobs and help stimulate their local economies? Is the government hoping to use that already-allocated money to hide its new Conservative deficit?

[Infrastructure, November 24th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, last week, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities denounced the administrative delays that are suddenly plaguing the building Canada program.

Now that the financial crisis is likely to lead us into a recession, it makes sense to expedite investments in infrastructure projects, in order to create jobs that would compensate for layoffs.

Will the Conservatives continue to sit on the $3 billion in the building Canada fund in order to cover up the new Conservative deficit?

[Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day, November 20th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to highlight an important occasion—Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day. This is an excellent opportunity for us to remember the optimistic vision Sir Wilfrid Laurier offered Canada at the start of the 20th century and the leadership to make that vision a reality.

Under Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada experienced an period of unequalled wealth and significant economic growth, which established Canada as an unavoidable economic force on the international scene. As a francophone prime minister, he played a crucial role as a peacemaker between English and French Canada.

I would ask my colleagues to recognize the valuable contribution of Sir Wilfrid Laurier who, more than 100 years ago, was among those who created the country we are proud to live in today.