House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2025, with 33% of the vote.
Business of Supply November 17th, 2020
Madam Speaker, I think that we all appreciate the step just taken by the Liberals. We can believe that this compromise will lead to a positive solution.
That said, one thing has been bothering me since the start of our debate on this motion. Members will recall that our Chinese friends paid $1,500 to attend dinners organized by the Prime Minister.
Are our Liberal colleagues currently feeling uncomfortable about that?
Business of Supply November 17th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees with the motion, overall. We have the same concerns as the ones already mentioned regarding the 30-day deadline.
Why not wait until the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations, which the Conservatives themselves asked for, releases its findings?
Veterans Week November 5th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, today we mark the start of Veterans Week, which will culminate on Remembrance Day. This year's theme is the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. We must never forget that 150,000 Quebeckers served in that conflict.
Today, my thoughts turn especially to my uncle, Private George Desilets, who was killed in action during the Korean War. He was a 21-year-old man in the prime of life, a man who would never know the joys of being a father or a husband. He answered his nation's call and went to fight in lands he knew nothing about. This was the epitome of courage, the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and our democracy.
It is our duty to remember. On behalf of all Quebeckers, all those who live in our Quebec, and the Bloc Québécois, I thank all veterans, men and women alike, for their service. They deserve our homage and our respect.
Business of Supply November 3rd, 2020
Madam Speaker, let's talk about scandal.
In his speech, my hon. colleague referred to the CERB and the many people who fell through the cracks. We agree with him. Could he answer the question posed by my colleague from Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot?
The Liberals clearly said that they would not pay back the CERB they collected. What about the Conservatives?
Bills of Exchange Act October 30th, 2020
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech.
Bill C-5 is really exciting and interesting. As we know, it resonates with many Quebeckers because they have always been close to indigenous peoples and they want to maintain that closeness.
When we talk about the right to redress in the bill, we are talking about the right of victims to get redress for the harm that was done to them. This finds its expression in the duty that the state has to satisfy the victims by restoring their past status, fairly compensating them for the harm done or offering them the opportunity for rehabilitation.
What does the government have to say about the Bloc Québécois motion? That is exactly what we are asking for, redress and an apology from the federal government.
Business of Supply October 29th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell my very dear colleagues, who will have the opportunity to correct me, that they may be better than me at history, but it was always one of my favourite subjects at school.
In 1970, a few months before the crisis, a provincial election took place. This could explain why, being in a situation he did not know how to resolve, Robert Bourassa asked for help. As for Jean Drapeau, he was heading into an election a few weeks later, which could explain why he chose to do what he did.
I was always told that as a school principal, I should never blame somebody else when I am the one in charge and I am responsible for what I sign.
What does my colleague think of that? No matter what happened at the provincial or municipal level, the decision and the responsibility lie with Pierre Elliott Trudeau, do they not?
Business of Supply October 29th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, our colleague's comments have nothing to do with the motion being debated today. Can he move on to something else?
Business of Supply October 29th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, my colleague talks about wounds still being felt.
I was 12 years old at the time, so I did not experience long-term trauma, but I can say that in the weeks and months that followed, I locked my door. We were not allowed to lock the door, but I got the right to do so. It is a normal reaction for a frightened 12-year-old.
I would like to mention something else. I was afraid of the police for several years. The police are there to defend people, but what happened was quite the opposite. In the years that followed, I was always a little skeptical when it came to the police. I would be extra careful around them, but not to worry, I have since done a bachelor's degree in criminology which has allowed to turn the page on all that.
Business of Supply October 29th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, I half understand my colleague’s question. I thank him for it anyway.
I would say that today’s debate is a very simple one. We are not talking about the death that unfortunately occurred and that will always be remembered by everyone—we are talking about an excessive law.
I think that over the past five years the Liberal government has apologized many times for things that are less important and not at all as close to their hearts as Quebeckers could be.
I would like to ask my colleagues a question. If in 2020 there was, in Quebec or in the rest of Canada, a strong movement and there was evidence of an insurrection, would they accept the invocation of such an act?
Business of Supply October 29th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, yes, that is exactly what I said and that is what I can repeat.
The War Measures Act was invoked essentially to kill the sovereignty movement. No one would be able to convince me that there were other apparent reasons. Fewer than 10 FLQ members had to appear in court, and they were already targeted anyway. There were fewer than 10, so there was never an insurrection.
I would also like to say that, in addition to the famous “just watch me” line that everyone has heard over and over again, Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau said, about those who felt that their rights were being violated, that they were weak-kneed bleeding hearts. There is all the respect we had.