Louise Charbonneau

[Teacher Appreciation Week, February 6th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois wishes to mark this Teacher Appreciation Week by acknowledging the work of all teachers in Quebec who are dedicated to educating our children, year after year. This year, the theme of Teacher Appreciation Week is “1,216,791 Reasons to Thank a Teacher!” That is the exact number of students currently registered in our schools in Quebec. It is an appropriate theme because students are the priority every single day. I was a teacher for nearly 30 years, so I know how much heart and energy these women and men invest in every child. It is a privilege. It is also a great responsibility to guide young people in the community along their path to success.

That is why, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I am pleased to say a big thank you to our teachers.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, December 9th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, the Speech from the Throne proposes making it easier to pay down student debt. That is very good news. It also contains proposals to deal with climate change.

However, what will the Liberals do for the scientific researchers who are working on alternatives that will have a real impact on the environment, in a time of climate emergency?

At Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, our researchers are about to unveil a forest biomass-based product that will replace plastic. These biodegradable products will limit the excessive waste that is hurting our environment.

Can our scientific researchers, who are working directly on reducing the impact of climate change, get some support? The planet will benefit directly from their research.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, December 9th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, this is the first time I have had the privilege of rising to speak in the House. Congratulations on your appointment as Deputy Speaker of the House.

As my colleagues have done for their ridings, I want to take this opportunity to thank the constituents of Trois-Rivières and all the volunteers who worked on my campaign. As we know, volunteers are at the heart of political activity in our ridings. I am extremely grateful to each and every one of them.

Trois-Rivières is home to many seniors who count on federal programs in order to have a decent quality of life so they can meet their basic needs. Will the provisions outlined in the throne speech really meet their needs? What is being offered to people between the ages of 65 and 75?