House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2011, with 32% of the vote.
Petitions November 30th, 2010
Madam Speaker, I will present another petition, this one completely acceptable, from a number of people. The petition concerns Bill C-12, which would reduce Quebec's political weight in the House of Commons. All of the signatories are totally opposed to this bill and want the House to know.
I encourage my colleagues to reconsider this bill, which, in some ways, is seen as unfair in Quebec.
Petitions November 30th, 2010
Madam Speaker, I have two petitions, but unfortunately, one of them does not seem to be acceptable because the request to Parliament was written incorrectly. However, the substance of the petition is acceptable; I verified it with the Clerk of the House.
We were told by the Clerk of Petitions that we could table the petition if we had the unanimous consent of the House. That is what I was told.
Consequently, I am asking the House whether it is possible to table this petition, which has been signed by a number of people but which, unfortunately, was not written according to House rules.
Petitions November 30th, 2010
Madam Speaker, I would like to present two petitions today, including one that requires that I have the unanimous consent of the House.
Montreal Druze House November 24th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, November 14, the Druze house was inaugurated in Montreal. The house sends a strong signal that the Druze community has put down roots in Quebec. It also says that these people have chosen to build their future there.
The children of the five-coloured star enhance Quebec's identity with values on which great peoples are founded and endure: the importance of solidarity, the duty of remembrance and the love of children.
Gilles Vigneault's words are still relevant today:
In this land of blizzards My father had a house built And I'm going to be true To his ways, to his example My guest room will be the one That you come back to, season after season To build beside it
Families of Victims of Crime November 17th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, everyone must pay for those people, even the families.
While the government continues to grandstand and boast that it is helping victims of crime, the budget of the ombudsman for the victims of crime is about to be cut and half of the money in the criminal injuries compensation fund was not distributed in 2009-10, despite the tremendous needs of families, support groups and non-government organizations.
Why is this government spending so much on criminals and so little on resources to help victims and their families?
Public Safety November 16th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, on November 5, referring to people who were arrested at the University of Toronto gymnasium during the G20, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety said, and I quote, “They were legally arrested.” But he knew very well that Toronto's chief of police had said twice that the police did not have the appropriate warrants to make these arrests.
How much longer will this government mislead the House and refuse to hold a public inquiry into these unfortunate events?
Public Safety November 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, without consultation, the Conservative government has announced the closure of two border crossings in Quebec and a significant reduction in the operating hours of three border crossings by April 2011. At the same time, the United States is investing in small border crossings to improve their infrastructure for safety reasons. The harmonization of border crossings is a failure.
Will the Minister of Public Safety suspend his decision to close several border crossings in Quebec and to reduce the operating hours of others?
H.E.R.O.S Program October 27th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, on October 7, the first H.E.R.O.S. program in Quebec was launched at Sophie-Barat school in partnership with the Ahuntsic Braves. This program actively offers the chance for 25 youth, 5 girls and 20 boys, to play hockey for free, including coaching, ice time and equipment.
The mission of H.E.R.O.S. is to use the game of hockey as a catalyst to attract less fortunate youth to a program that offers support for education while building their self-esteem, team spirit and life skills, all in a fun, safe environment in which every child is considered to be a hero.
Willie O'Ree, the first black player in the National Hockey League, attended the ceremony. His mere presence was living proof to everyone that you can always overcome obstacles, even obstacles that seem insurmountable at first.
Congratulations to Sophie-Barat school and the Ahuntsic Braves for this initiative.
Hats off to our heroes and we wish the H.E.R.O.S. program continued success in Quebec.
Public Safety October 26th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, hundreds of people were denied their rights and freedoms during the G20 summit this summer. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is so concerned that it is demanding an explanation from Canada. Yesterday, in committee, the Minister of Public Safety washed his hands of the whole thing.
Will the Prime Minister call an independent public inquiry to shed light on the abusive arrests that were made during this summit, and will he apologize to the people whose rights were violated?
Public Safety October 20th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, Richard Fadden, the director of CSIS, has alleged that a number of politicians are under the influence of a foreign government. This unusual statement from a CSIS director has added to the climate of doubt surrounding elected officials. The Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security has invited the minister to come and answer questions about this affair but, even though the minister is joining us on Monday, he refuses to answer this question for no apparent reason.
Is the minister hiding in order to avoid revealing that his government is, in fact, associated with the CSIS director's irresponsible operation to cast doubt on the integrity of elected officials?