Lise Zarac

[Volunteerism, December 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the men and women who voluntarily contribute to society at local, national and international levels.

Established in 1985 by the United Nations, International Volunteer Day is celebrated every December 5 as a way of highlighting the true contributions of volunteers in our society and to also thank the countless volunteers who donate their time and energy.

As advocates, activists, board members, mentors, coaches, disaster relief workers and firefighters, to name a few, Canada's 12.5 million volunteers help their communities grow.

On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada, I would like to thank volunteers across the country for their commitment to public service. I encourage Canadians to get involved in their community.

[Questions on the Order Paper, November 29th, 2010]

With regard to the transfer of Saint Anne's Hospital to the Government of Quebec: (a) what is the anticipated benefit to Canadian veterans; (b) what are the cost savings to taxpayers; and (c) how much does the government anticipate that this transfer will cost?

[Pensions, November 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, that is not helping our seniors.

In a few weeks, disabled Nortel retirees will lose their homes because the Prime Minister refused to pass Bill S-216. In a few months, other retirees will desperately be awaiting a cheque that will never come. But the Prime Minister could not care less. He is plunging these people into despair by making them pay for his government's excesses.

If he can waste $300 million on an internal row between his ministers, could he have the decency to not hit our parents and grandparents with hidden taxes?

[Pensions, November 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, seniors and retirees deserve something better than backroom cuts made on the sly. The Minister of Finance is colluding with the Prime Minister to make the most vulnerable seniors in our society pay for his fiscal incompetence.

Would he be doing this if his parents depended on the guaranteed income supplement?

Why is the Minister of Finance not trimming fat from the Prime Minister's Office instead of taxing registered retirement income funds?

[Boys and Girls Club of LaSalle, November 25th, 2010]

Madam Speaker, last month, during a ceremony in celebration of LaSalle's volunteers, the Boys and Girls Club of LaSalle won the 2010 Moulin d'or award for organization of the year. This award, which is presented by members of the borough council, acknowledges the generosity and exceptional value of an organization's involvement in its community.

The Boys and Girls Club of LaSalle has worked with youth for many years to develop their self-esteem, leadership qualities and sense of belonging in the community. Through quality programming, these young people are given every opportunity to realize their full potential.

I am very proud to offer my heartfelt congratulations for this well deserved, impressive achievement to the Boys and Girls Club of LaSalle, its board of directors, its executive director, Mark Branch, and its incredible team.

On behalf of my colleagues, I wish them every success in the coming years.

[Nortel Pensioners, November 18th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, in just six weeks Nortel's long-term disability workers will lose access to their health benefits as well as 80% of their benefit payments. There is a solution. Conservative senators should pass Bill S-216 immediately.

Nortel workers are scrambling to find other sources of revenue, while just this morning Conservative senators scrambled out of committee in the middle of tragic and compelling testimony from these retirees.

With only 37 days until Christmas, how heartless can the Prime Minister possibly be?

[Nortel Pensioners, November 18th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, on January 1, 400 Nortel pensioners with disabilities will begin their new life of misery because of the Conservatives. The government could help them by supporting Bill S-216, but the Prime Minister would rather do nothing. Instead of enjoying the holiday season, these disabled pensioners will have to apply for welfare or look for a job.

Why is the government ignoring these vulnerable people who worked their whole lives for these pensions?

[Louise Lemieux-Bérubé, November 15th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to an immensely talented artist from LaSalle—Émard.

Louise Lemieux-Bérubé is a pioneer, internationally renowned for her works and her innovative use of jacquard weaving techniques. In addition to being a world-renowned artist, she is known for her involvement in education. She is a co-founder of the Montreal Centre for Contemporary Textiles, where she teaches students from around the world.

Ms. Lemieux-Bérubé innovates and creates her works with ultramodern techniques. One example is her use of a process that blends new digital technologies with traditional hand-weaving techniques.

Her work has been exhibited around the world. This fall, the Canadian embassy in Tokyo is exhibiting Louise Lemieux-Bérubé's creations along with the works of artists who have worked in her studio.

I would like to congratulate Ms. Lemieux-Bérubé and tell her that we are very proud of her and the way in which she represents us on the international stage. Bravo!

[Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act, November 1st, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the government is proud to say that it is creating jobs. But I have to wonder whether jobs have really been created with these projects. Furthermore, are the jobs that have been created full-time or part-time? What are the proportions? That is where we might see the government's transparency. When it tells us how many jobs it has created or maintained, it should tell us specifically how many it has maintained, how many it has created, and whether they are temporary or part-time jobs.

[Sustaining Canada's Economic Recovery Act, November 1st, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

It is true that a lot of projects will not be completed for reasons outside the control of those who are trying to get them done. Since it is outside their control, I think this government is being unfair. A promise is a contract. If the matter goes to court, and one party has suggested that it would pay, it is responsible for the expenses. So the government should be held responsible too.