House of Commons photo

Crucial Fact

  • Her favourite word was workers.

Last in Parliament October 2015, as Independent MP for Montcalm (Québec)

Won her last election, in 2011, with 53% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1 June 10th, 2015

Mr. Speaker, I am voting in favour of the motion.

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1 June 10th, 2015

Mr. Speaker, I am voting in favour of the motion.

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1 June 10th, 2015

Mr. Speaker, I will be voting for this motion.

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1 June 10th, 2015

Mr. Speaker, I will be voting for this motion.

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1 June 10th, 2015

Mr. Speaker, I am voting in favour of the motion.

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1 June 10th, 2015

Mr. Speaker, I vote in favour of the amendment.

Economic Action Plan 2015 Act, No. 1 June 10th, 2015

Mr. Speaker, I will vote yes.

International Trade June 5th, 2015

Mr. Speaker, the government is raising fears about our supply management system among farmers in Montcalm, Quebec and Canada. Negotiations are being held behind closed doors. The people most affected, the farmers, are being kept in the dark. This could mean the loss of thousands of farms. In Quebec, that translates to 3,500 farms and billions of dollars in economic fallout.

Can the minister reassure us that the trans-Pacific partnership will not jeopardize another segment of our economy by eliminating supply management?

Trans-Pacific Partnership June 4th, 2015

Mr. Speaker, the riding of Montcalm has a significant amount of farmland, and people are worried that the trans-Pacific partnership will make farmers a lot poorer.

Supply management is how milk, egg, chicken and turkey producers establish the best possible balance between supply and demand for their products in Quebec and Canada, and it guarantees a fair and equitable income. Supply management guarantees that consumers will have access to high-quality products at reasonable prices, without having to support farmers through taxes.

The impact of this agreement would compromise supply management, and farms across Quebec and Canada would have to shut down. This would result in thousands of direct or indirect jobs lost on our farms. As the member of Parliament for Montcalm, I have a duty to support farmers and to ensure that our supply management system is fully and fairly maintained.

National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day Act May 29th, 2015

Mr. Speaker, I often tell people that it is more difficult for them to approach us than it is for us to go and talk to them. I think that this national day will make more and more people aware of this issue.

When I came to this place in 2011 and I met people, they told me that they were surprised to see me in a wheelchair, and all I could do was nod. However, when I was campaigning, I did not hide it from anyone. It seems that people did not realize it until they met me.

I also realized that people often say that they think we are very nice. That makes me laugh, because everyone is nice. Being in a wheelchair does not stop you from being nice.

Last week I received an invitation from Mr. Demers to take a horse out on a racetrack. I think everyone here knows that I had a riding accident and that horseback riding was one of my great passions. A little earlier, we were talking about accessibility and changing how we look at things. That gentleman let me take his racehorse out on a track. That was such a wonderful thing for me.

When something like that happens, you have to take another look at everything you used to love doing so you can do it again. Excuse me, I am having a hard time because this is so emotional for me.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Demers from the bottom of my heart. He helped me understand that even though my accident happened in 1993, and even though I could no longer ride, I could find other ways to pursue my passion. I honestly never thought I would be able to do it. I am very proud of that.

We have to salute those who are open-minded and are helping our society become more inclusive so that everyone has a place in it.

I often say that people with disabilities have their limitations, and that is true, but we all have our limitations, and in many cases, we impose them on ourselves. When we meet people who are ready to help us challenge those limitations, they almost become heroes to us.

My colleague may understand what I am saying. Regardless, I am very happy to see that all of my colleagues in the House have so readily supported my bill. I realize that there are many national days and that they are all important. However, I know that this national day will help give people a greater voice in society.

I will end my speech there, since I am a bit overwhelmed talking about all of this.