House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 23% of the vote.
Questions on the Order Paper September 17th, 2012
With regard to the upcoming cuts to the public service: (a) how many public servants live in the constituency of Pontiac; (b) of this number, how many are affected by the cuts and are at risk of losing their jobs; and (c) for which departments and agencies do they work?
Questions on the Order Paper September 17th, 2012
With regard to Canada Economic Development investments in the constituency of Pontiac: (a) how much funding was allocated to the constituency of Pontiac for fiscal years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012; (b) what projects were funded; (c) how many businesses from the constituency benefited from this funding; and (d) what were the amounts granted to each project?
First Nations Financial Transparency Act June 20th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her contribution to this debate and for her excellent work on first nation issues.
Certainly the Algonquins of my riding have not been consulted on this issue and are very concerned about the burden that this would create. I think of Kitigan Zibi, which is an example of transparency. I think what this really is about is the blame game: blame first nations. As well, it is blind. It is a blind because there is a lack of funding and capacity-building for these matters within first nations.
I would like to ask my hon. colleague this: what could we have done or what could we do in order to create this kind of capacity?
Petitions June 20th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition signed by about one hundred Canadians who want to preserve section 35 of the Fisheries Act.
This is an important issue in my riding because it is a land of lakes and rivers.
Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act June 13th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, many public servants reside in both my colleague's riding and my riding. We are very concerned about the public service.
My question is this: If the government really wanted to support the economy, it would understand how important these jobs and these salaries are to the region's economy. What impact will these cuts have on the economy of the Outaouais region?
Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act June 12th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I rise on the same point of order. I would like to reassure my hon. colleague that on this side of the House I do, indeed, want to hear the comments of his hon. colleague and would very much like to continue to listen.
Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act June 12th, 2012
Madam Speaker, in my riding, industries are shutting down and it is very hard for people to find good jobs in the region they grew up in.
Communities are losing their young people, and now there are employment insurance measures in Bill C-38 that will make it even harder for people to stay in their home regions and find seasonal work.
What does the member have to say to those people?
Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act June 12th, 2012
Madam Speaker, I listened with great interest to the hon. member's speech. The conditions that exist in his riding are very similar to those that exist in mine, particularly with regard to the forestry industry.
I am very concerned about the seasonal workers in my riding. I am also very concerned about the exodus of workers from the rural regions to the cities. The regions will be empty because of the measures contained in the budget.
Does the hon. member share my concerns?
The Public Service June 8th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we know the Conservatives were eager to cut services to Canadians, do not believe in government and were giddier than schoolboys to gut our professional public service.
Now that the cuts are upon us, Conservative mismanagement has created confusion and chaos among civil servants. With these layoff letters, all they will get is low morale, dysfunctional workplaces, overworked civil servants and, ultimately, low productivity.
Are the Conservatives totally incapable of managing cuts intelligently and transparently?
The Public Service June 8th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives' plan to slash the public service has been nothing but total improvisation. They are making cuts without beginning to understand the scope of the mess they are creating. They are incapable of managing their cuts, which are causing morale to plummet within the public service because of the excessive workload. Eventually, they will be forced to deal with a productivity crisis and a crisis in services to Canadians.
Why is the government incapable of managing these cuts in an intelligent and transparent manner?