House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2025, with 33% of the vote.
Business of Supply February 2nd, 2023
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague. I admire him greatly, but I do not agree with what he is saying. Bill C‑75 was not perfect. We all agree on that, on both sides of the House. There are some improvements to be made.
I would like my colleague's opinion on the remarks made by Carolyn Yule, a sociology and anthropology professor who studies bail. She says that there is no evidence to suggest that a tough-on-crime approach to bail would improve public safety.
Can we please trust these academics?
Business of Supply February 2nd, 2023
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his speech.
This is a very emotional subject. We all want disinformation to be set aside. To some extent, we all want to be able to rely on science and research to make changes. Clearly, Bill C‑75 is not perfect. We would like to comment on that.
We must focus on the good elements and work towards implementing them, which is not happening now, in my opinion. Furthermore, there is clearly a vote-seeking aspect to the Conservatives' motion.
I would like to ask the Leader of the Opposition what his reaction is when I talk about science and research. Carolyn Yule, a professor of sociology and anthropology—
Business of Supply February 2nd, 2023
Mr. Speaker, my first university degree was a bachelor's degree in criminology.
During my studies, we would discuss being for or against parole, loosening or tightening restrictions and so on. As we progressed through the program, the better we understood the issues, the more we read and the more we relied on science and credible studies. By the end of our undergraduate program, we understood that this rigidity that the Conservatives want would not get us anywhere.
The best example is the United States. That country has the harshest and most coercive system in the world, with appalling incarceration rates and a drive to keep inmates in prison and on parole as long as possible. It just so happens that the United States is also seeing a jump in its violent crime rate.
What makes my colleague and the Conservatives believe that a tougher stance will result in lower rates of violent crime?
Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act January 31st, 2023
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for my colleague, and I thank him for his speech.
We are talking about a provincial jurisdiction. Once again, it is exclusively provincial. Quebec will be fully compensated, the equivalent of $6 billion over a five-year period. We are talking about $30 billion in programs over the next five years.
Is this amount of money acceptable to the Conservatives? Basically, will my colleague be voting in favour of the bill?
Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act January 31st, 2023
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his speech.
Unfortunately, I have to remind him again that anything to do with family policy and education falls solely within provincial jurisdiction.
This bill is full of good intentions, but the Liberal government should stick to issues under its jurisdiction. Why does it not manage its affairs properly, instead of coming to meddle in our jurisdictions yet again?
Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2022 December 6th, 2022
Madam Speaker, this afternoon, during oral question period, we heard the member for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine make preposterous comments that cast aspersions on the Auditor General.
The Auditor General's report was tabled today and, in it, we learned that the government overspent approximately $23 billion, if I am not mistaken.
In keeping with the really great speech my colleague gave, I would like her to draw a parallel between the money wasted and the economic statement, which contains nothing new and no additional measures.
Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2022 December 6th, 2022
Madam Speaker, I would like to hear my colleague's opinion on the following question. We in the Bloc have focused on the three main elements we wanted to see in this bill, specifically, employment insurance, pensions for people aged 65 to 75, and health transfers. For years now, this has been part of the Bloc Québécois DNA and what we have been calling for. That is what we want.
Does my colleague support these priorities? Would he support these Bloc Québécois priorities?
Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2022 December 6th, 2022
Madam Speaker, something outrageous happened during question period today. The member for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine made some unacceptable remarks that left no doubt she does not have confidence in the Auditor General and does not find her credible. She gave two absurd examples, described the situation as being worse than the Second World War, and more. I will spare the House the shocking details.
The government has to work with the Auditor General. It also has to work with the opposition when it comes to the budget and the economic statement. In my colleague's opinion, do such remarks jeopardize those relationships?
Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2022 December 5th, 2022
Mr. Speaker, my colleague and I will agree on one thing. This is obviously not the bill of the century.
We in the Bloc Québécois focused on three key issues before the bill was introduced, and we will continue to focus on them because they are what matter the most to us. I am talking about increased health transfers, support for seniors over 65 and urgent EI reform.
Does my colleague agree with me that the government should focus on these three priorities?
Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2022 December 5th, 2022
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his presentation. It is always a pleasure to listen to him. I understand that there is a whole host of needs in his riding, as there is in mine, none of which are addressed in Bill C-32, despite the 25 tax measures and so on. How does my colleague explain that?
In principle, we are here to vote on bills that are designed for our constituents. How does he explain the fact that there is nothing in this bill to help them?