Marcel Proulx

[International Trade, February 25th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister for International Trade.

With the increase in our small and medium businesses' activity abroad, could the minister tell us whether Canada is really benefiting from the opening up of international markets?

[Keskinada Loppet, February 23rd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to the exceptional performance of a number of athletes at last weekend's 22nd Keskinada Loppet, an international event for which the venue was Gatineau Park and Dow's Lake.

Congratulations to Marie-Odile Raymond from Aylmer, who placed second in the women's 48 kilometre freestyle and third in the 800 metre sprint race, which will become a full Olympic medal sport for the first time in the 2002 Winter Games at Salt Lake City.

Other athletes from the Hull—Aylmer region went all out: Christian Picard, Sébastien Lacourse, Éric Rouleau, Richard Weber, and I could go on and on, because there were 2,500 participants in these cross-country events.

I congratulate all these athletes on their magnificent performance.

And these congratulations would not be complete without mentioning the exceptional contribution made by president Louise Poirier, general manager Henrico Valente, and the approximately 600 volunteers.

Well done.

[Pilon Limitée, February 22nd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Pilon Limitée reopened in Hull.

Last week's announcement by Pilon Limitée of its intention to close its doors created a considerable stir. Messages of support were forthcoming from all sides. After 100 years, it was impossible to imagine this company closing.

This reversal of the decision is a relief to all the people in the Outaouais region, contractors, PAL dealers and customers. Pilon Limitée is a profitable company backed by a long reputation for quality and good service. Seventy jobs were at stake. Some of the employees had been with the company for as many as 55 years.

The good faith on both sides, union and management, the urgency to take action, and the issues at stake have overcome the labour conflict, which had gone on for several months.

The closing of this hundred year-old business was avoided by a hair's breadth. This goes to shown that, with a bit of good will, anything is possible.

As the member for Hull—Aylmer, I wish to congratulate both parties on having found a common ground, thus saving—

[Airline Industry, February 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport.

I received numerous requests from across Canada for comments on the potential price increases in airline travel for individuals and of course business travellers in view of the potential monopoly by Air Canada.

Will the Minister of Transport explain how he will prevent this?

[Immigration, February 18th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian citizenship is more than a status. Our citizenship makes us who we are. It marks our belonging. For example, every year over 150,000 immigrants become citizens.

Our government has proposed legislation on citizenship. It has established clear and fair criteria in keeping with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

What is new in the bill is that persons applying for citizenship must demonstrate solid links with Canada. They will have to have lived in Canada at least three years over the six years preceding the application.

The Liberal government continues to work to ensure that we are open to the world and that we promote the development of other cultures wishing to settle in the country. This is the direction of the Liberal government's commitment and action in immigration.

[Health System, February 16th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are very much attached to their public and universal health system.

It is the responsibility of the Canadian government to ensure that the five principles for health care set out in the Canada Health Act are respected. These are: accessibility, portability, universality, public administration and public funding.

In the 1999 budget, the Government of Canada earmarked $11.5 billion over five years for strengthening and modernizing our health system.

In that context, the Liberal government calls for the collaborative efforts of all of the Canadian provinces in order to provide the best possible services throughout the country.

With a united effort we are going to improve health services, in the interests of enhancing the quality of life in all of the regions of Canada.

[Heart And Stroke Month, February 14th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House and all Canadians that, this year again, February is Heart and Stroke Month.

We are proud of the Canadian heart health initiative, a world renown partnership in which Health Canada is co-operating with the provincial departments of health and with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

More challenges remain to ensure that progress continues in the reduction of the major risk factors: smoking, high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol and diabetes. By investing in heart health, we can enhance the quality of life for countless Canadians.

[Bombardier, February 11th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the Quebec giant, Bombardier, has just snagged another major railway contract in the Netherlands.

This contract worth $660 million provides for the delivery of 13 four-car double-deck EMUs and 12 six-car EMUs.

Bombardier is a one of our companies that has made an international name for itself. Its expertise in the area of transportation is its vocation, and is a source of pride for all of Canada.

Bombardier has long understood that the key to economic success is to occupy much of the market and be based in an economic and a political entity such as Canada.

We congratulate Bombardier on this latest success and encourage them to continue their growth worldwide. Indeed, Bombardier is a real jewel of our economy and we are all very proud of it.

[Portuguese Community, December 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, in 1974, the Portuguese community of the Outaouais region of Quebec built its community centre called Les amis unis, in Hull. Since then, the centre has contributed to the integration of the Portuguese community into the Outaouais life, while preserving and celebrating its beautiful traditions.

The centre has been a social bond in our region, while also contributing to a better understanding among individuals and communities.

We join in the celebration of this 25th anniversary, which not only reflects the usefulness of the Portuguese centre Les amis unis, but also the exceptional contribution of Portuguese nationals to our region.

As the member representing the riding of Hull—Aylmer, I am pleased to give my regards to the members of Les amis unis and to say that I admire their work.

I wish them continued success. Viva o Centro português.

[Children, December 13th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this morning, UNICEF released a report on progress made over the past century in improving the plight of children. This progress is very real but, unfortunately, it is jeopardized by scourges such as AIDS and military conflicts.

The report calls on governments around the world, and on our collective and individual conscience, to find concrete solutions to the problems experienced by children all over the world.

Canada is making great efforts to alleviate human suffering. For example, our country is taking part in several military missions to maintain peace in various parts of the world. We also contributes to economic and social development projects in poor countries.

A tremendous amount of work remains to be done to reduce human suffering. However, we can be proud of the leadership role played by our government in improving the quality of life of children around the world.