Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet

[Jacynthe Ouellette, June 1st, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, in the early 1980s, Jacynthe Ouellette lost her job in a hospital because she was pregnant and ended up on social assistance.

In 1987, Le Chic Resto Pop, which had recently re-opened, hired her as part of a workforce reintegration program.

After putting all of this community organization's services in order, Jacynthe Ouellette became its executive director in 1992. Under her watch, Le Chic Resto Pop became a veritable institution in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. This organization provides the poorest people in my riding with inexpensive meals, and works every day to ensure that other people like Jacynthe get the training they need to return to the labour market.

In a few days, Jacynthe Ouellette will be stepping down to take a well-deserved retirement.

Jacynthe, after so many years of dedication, support, solidarity, and taking care of others, you now deserve to take some time to take care of yourself. Happy retirement and thank you for all that you have done.

[Criminal Code, May 31st, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, in general, police officers are more experienced at detecting whether someone is impaired by alcohol rather than by cannabis.

I know that the provinces have asked this as well. Will the Liberals provide funding to train officers so they can better detect whether someone is impaired by cannabis?

[Committees of the House, May 30th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, the Liberal members and ministers, as well as the Prime Minister, are saying there was no consensus, in committee or elsewhere.

However, from what I understood from my colleague's speech and other speeches, that did not seem to be the case in committee at first. There was no lack of consensus when the committee began its work, but there was in the end.

Does my colleague think that the Liberal members of the committee received instructions from the party or from another Liberal MP?

[Criminal Code, May 19th, 2017]

Sadly, Madam Speaker, visible minorities are often targeted for arrest and subjected to accusations.

What measures will the government implement to ensure that Canadians who are victims of racial profiling will not be disproportionately targeted for mandatory alcohol screening?

[Points of Order, May 19th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, yes, it is on the same subject as my point of order earlier. I am convinced that it is indeed a point of order. I had a conversation with the minister. I know she understands the problem, but I think she needs to apologize out of respect for the women who have been victims of abuse.

[Points of Order, May 19th, 2017]

No, Madam Speaker, the previous one.

[Infrastructure, May 19th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

During question period, I asked a question about women who are victims of domestic violence. The Minister of Status of Women began her response with “Happy Friday”. I was asking a very serious question that required a very serious answer. Women who heard the minister are going to think that she does not take the problem—

[Canada Revenue Agency, May 19th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, I thank the government for that, but it has to be done very quickly.

Under the current rules, the Canada Revenue Agency tells domestic abuse survivors that they have to contact their attacker to fill out a form if they want to get the child tax benefit. That is preposterous, not to mention dangerous. This CRA requirement needs to be removed.

Will the Minister of National Revenue resolve this matter immediately and apologize to victims of domestic abuse?

[Business of Supply, May 18th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I am the NDP critic for housing and a member of the all-party anti-poverty caucus.

I often hear about how many people living with disabilities also live below the poverty line. Earlier, someone mentioned that 80% of adults with autism spectrum disorder do not have jobs. It can be very hard to find an apartment or suitable housing with limited financial resources.

Does my colleague think we should pay special attention to housing to help people with autism spectrum disorder and others with disabilities, such as his son?

[Business of Supply, May 18th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, people living with functional limitations often lose specialized services or financial benefits when they reach the age of majority.

People with any type of disability often live below the poverty line. I would like to know whether the member intends to work with the NDP to ensure that people with autism do not lose the services that help them live above the poverty line when they become adults.