Marcel Proulx

[Tom Hanson, March 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Tom Hanson, who passed away suddenly last night at the age of 41.

Tom joined the Parliamentary Press Gallery in 1992, the same year he joined The Canadian Press Ottawa bureau. Ever since, Tom has been the CP photographer with the best shot. We could always tell a Tom Hanson photograph.

Tom travelled the world with prime ministers, and he was deeply admired by politicians of all stripes.

Tom lived large. He loved hockey and his Harley-Davidson and was instantly recognizable for his ready smile.

Tom Hansen was respected, admired and loved by his colleagues at The Canadian Press and in the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

We join with them and with Tom's wife, Catherine, to mourn his passing, to celebrate his life and to acknowledge his legacy. He will be missed.

[Forestry Industry, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, what can forestry workers expect from the Conservatives, really?

The closing of Smurfit-Stone, Pontiac Forest Products and the Maibec plant has caused 360 jobs to be lost in the Pontiac region. Let us be real.

I would ask that the minister be upfront and honest. Why do the Conservatives have nothing to say and to offer to these workers?

[Forestry Industry, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, forestry workers in the Outaouais and other Quebec regions are hurting a lot. From Gatineau to Fort-Coulonge to Campbell's Bay, workers losing their jobs by the hundreds are wondering where the Conservatives are.

Why have the Conservatives failed the forestry workers in the Outaouais region who are forced to watch their equipment freeze and rust away in the snow?

[Committees of the House, March 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114 and pursuant to order made Wednesday, March 4, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the ninth report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees in the House.

If the House gives its consent, I move that the ninth report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)

[Municipal Affairs, March 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, a Crown witness stated that Mr. O'Brien and the minister met at Hy's restaurant on July 26, 2006, and that they spoke about setting up a meeting with Terry Kilrea regarding an appointment to a government position.

My question is simple: Will the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities agree to testify at Mr. O'Brien's trial? Yes or no?

[Municipal Affairs, March 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question about government ethics.

Next month Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien goes on trial to face criminal charges stemming from his campaign for mayor and the Minister of Transport has been subpoenaed. On Friday, my question for the minister about this matter went unanswered, so I ask it again today.

Will he invoke parliamentary privilege or will he respect the subpoena and testify at the trial?

[Municipal Affairs, February 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, a Crown witness has said that Mr. O'Brien and the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities met at Hy's restaurant on July 26, 2006, and that they discussed an appointment for Terry Kilrea. The investigators said that the restaurant manager confirmed this information.

Can the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities clearly tell us if he had a conversation with Larry O'Brien at Hy's on July 26, 2006, yes or no?

[Municipal Affairs, February 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, April could turn out the be the cruellest month of all for the Minister of Transport. That is when Ottawa's mayor goes on trial to defend himself against criminal allegations that he negotiated an offer of a parole board appointment with the minister. The appointment was allegedly for Terry Kilrea, a former mayoral candidate. Other Conservatives operatives are also alleged to have discussed the appointment.

The minister has now been subpoenaed. Could he confirm that he will not use his parliamentary privilege to avoid testifying?

[Marcel Prud'homme, February 10th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Montreal senator the hon. Marcel Prud'homme in recognition of his 45 years as a parliamentarian.

Senator Prud'homme was elected to the House of Commons on February 10, 1964, following a byelection in the riding of Saint-Denis to replace the hon. Azellus Denis. He held his seat until May 26, 1993, when he was appointed to the Senate as the representative for the La Salle region.

Ever dedicated and involved, Senator Prud'homme is known for his ability to turn a fine phrase.

A strong advocate for world peace, he is open to others and willing to listen. He has always encouraged dialogue. He once said, “Relationships must be maintained, regardless of the circumstances”.

In November 2007, he was awarded the Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation for maintaining dialogue with other nations even when he did not share their ideology.

I would like to thank this great Canadian, my friend, Senator Marcel Prud'homme, for his tremendous contribution to parliamentarianism.

[The Budget, January 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would appreciate it if you could look into the use by the member for Outremont of language that sounded unparliamentary to me.