Luc Desilets

[Veterans, December 6th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, the federal government does not even know whether our veterans are dead or alive. This is unbelievable. Two veterans discovered that they were included on two sculptures honouring fallen heroes. Of the 67 people listed, 12 are still alive and four have never even worn the uniform.

These two women filed a complaint. A year later, yes, the plaque has been removed, but their images are still being used, without their permission, on the two sculptures, among the dead.

Will the minister ever remove these sculptures and apologize?

[Fallen Servicemen and Women, December 4th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, retired officers Lee‑Anne Quinn and Hélène Le Scelleur found some inexcusable errors on two sculptures honouring fallen Canadian servicemen and women near CFB Trenton.

The bronze monument Presence in Absence is meant to honour 67 servicemen and women for making the ultimate sacrifice. What a shock it was for the two women veterans when they found their own names on it. However, this was not the only error. Of the 67 soldiers listed, only 20 made the ultimate sacrifice. Twelve are still alive, and four have never worn the uniform.

No one noticed the mistake before the monument was unveiled in 2022. Neither the soldiers who are still alive nor their families were invited to the unveiling. What an appalling lack of respect. The minister owes veterans an explanation and, above all, an apology. After this fiasco and the Afghanistan memorial debacle, it is clear that Ottawa is a monument to incompetence.

[Government Business No. 43—Proceedings on Bill C-78, November 28th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know whether my colleague has heard about the survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business that was released early this afternoon. It says that most Canadian businesses do not support the GST holiday and that only 4% of them believe that it will increase their sales.

[Government Business No. 43—Proceedings on Bill C-78, November 28th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, does my colleague really believe that a family that cannot afford a $100 meal will be able to afford a $95 meal thanks to the GST cut?

[Privilege, November 25th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I would once again remind our esteemed Conservative colleague that the police do not want those documents. They do not need them. However, the House has been paralyzed for over a month because the Conservatives want those documents to be released.

On another note, the NDP has indicated that it is prepared to support a 24-hour gag order to ensure that the government can pass the measures that it announced last Thursday. What does my colleague think about that?

[Privilege, November 18th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, has the member for Mégantic—L'Érable ever considered, if only for a second, that our Randy might simply have a split personality?

Let us be a little more serious. The debate on the first question of privilege lasted a month, and this morning we started to debate a second question of privilege. I feel like asking my Conservative colleague when he intends to get back to serious parliamentary business.

[Veterans' Week, November 7th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, this is Veterans' Week. After paying tribute last week to veterans who served in both world wars and the Korean War, today I want to pay tribute to our modern-day veterans, who are too often overlooked.

These women and men have overcome harrowing ordeals on the battlefield, during peacekeeping missions and community action or while responding to natural disasters. Their service extends far beyond conflict zones. They have also made vital contributions to the safety and well-being of communities almost everywhere in the world.

They have sacrificed their comfort, health, and precious moments in their personal lives to defend the values of peace and protect the freedom that we cherish. Now, it is our turn to look out for them by ensuring they receive proper health care and the support they need to rejoin the workforce.

I want to thank them, heroes one and all, for their service.

[Veterans' Week, October 31st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, thank you for granting me the right to speak, which I consider extremely important, especially in light of the current international situation. Today's global geopolitical climate is fraught with tension among the major nations of our planet, among our major powers, and various conflicts are unfolding on a global scale.

War is not limited to the 1914-18 war, the 1939-45 war or the Korean War. It encompasses a host of conflicts that are making headlines in our daily newspapers and opening our eyes to concerns of global or planetary proportions. In this context, the significance of November 11, Armistice Day, becomes very real. As I see it, this day carries an even more important and powerful message about the need to educate the younger generations about the consequences of war and the importance of peace.

Remembrance Day is a time to commemorate the victorious end of World War I, but above all to remind ourselves of the value of peace. Over the years, the day has also become an opportunity to show our immense gratitude to those who manned the front to defend our liberty, our democracy and our peace, and who paid the ultimate price, sacrificing body, mind and soul.

We must also pause to acknowledge and thank veterans of all wars, not only the two world wars and the Korean War. I am referring to the operations in Cyprus, the conflicts in Rwanda and Bosnia-Herzegovina and the war in Afghanistan, not to mention the Somme, Pas-de-Calais, Vimy, Dieppe, Hill 355, Sarajevo, Kabul, I could go on.

In all of these battles, soldiers from Quebec fought under the Canadian flag. Women and men exhibited unstinting bravery and dedication in some of the most difficult and complex circumstances imaginable. The sacrifices these military personnel made earn them equal recognition to those who fought in other major wars, by which I mean the First World War of 1914 to 1918, the Second World War of 1939 to 1945 and the Korean War.

In fact, for a Quebec sovereignist such as myself, this commemoration uniting 54 countries of the British Commonwealth is a chance to recall that our national project builds on the values defended by these heroes and on the ironclad solidarity we maintain with our historical allies. We have countless reasons to be proud of their acts of bravery. I think it is essential and our duty to promote the values of reconciliation and solidarity.

Wearing the poppy over the heart from the beginning of Veterans' Week until Remembrance Day may be a small gesture, but the symbolism behind it could not be larger. In doing so we proudly recognize the value of peace and recall the sacrifices they made for us and for our democracy.

This great ritual dates back to the armistice of 1918, with the cessation of hostilities on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marking the end of 1,651 days of total war that left over nine million dead and unaccounted for. More recently, the ritual has broadened to include the veterans of all wars. Today I invite all parliamentarians to take a few minutes to reflect on the significance of this day, on the significance of peace and on the consequences of these wars.

We shall remember them.

[Raymond Tessier, October 29th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, 40 years, four decades or 14,610 days: whichever way we count it, that is a lot of time to dedicate to a cause.

It requires an unshakeable sense of conviction, and that is exactly what Raymond Tessier has embodied over the course of his career as a Saint‑Eustache city councillor. Since 1984, when he was first elected to the Saint‑Eustache city council, Raymond Tessier has truly exemplified dedication to the common good. His close connection with the people, his ability to listen and his determination to take action make him a well-respected and highly appreciated leader and a pillar of our local democracy.

By tying for the record with my colleague from Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, Raymond Tessier is also proving that political involvement has no limits, as long as it comes from the heart. I am certain that Raymond's desire to improve the quality of life of his community helped him make his mark and influence future generations for the better. I thank my friend Raymond for his dedication and passion.

[Privilege, October 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, since my Conservative colleague wants to get to the bottom of things, I would like to ask him a question.

He mentioned Annette Verschuren, who he linked to the Liberal Party. Ms. Verschuren did receive considerable funding. She was an economic adviser to Stephen Harper from 2008 to 2015.

Does he realize that?