House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 59% of the vote.
Oil and Gas Industry May 1st, 2007
Mr. Speaker, we are listening to Canadian consumers and we are listening to Canadians. Seven out of ten Canadians support the telecommunications reform we proposed. We are acting in Canadians' best interests.
With respect to the CRTC's decision, it may be appealed before the government. We will comment in due time.
Telecommunications Industry May 1st, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I will be very clear at this time in the House. It is very simple. What we did was put customers first. That is our priority. We have deregulation in urban centres. For the rural centres, it still will be under the regulations of the CRTC. It is very important to be precise.
As the hon. member must know, because of the decision made by the CRTC and because it can be appealed before me, I will not comment for 90 days.
The Environment April 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, we are keeping Canadians informed about the situation. Under the previous Liberal government—and these are the facts—under the direction of the Leader of the Opposition, greenhouse gases increased by 35%. That is the reality. Canadians were deceived. What was the previous Liberal government doing? They held international conferences, and seminars and talks, but greenhouse gases were never reduced here in Canada. That is what we are doing, by 20% by the year—
The Environment April 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, our approach is balanced, sensible and realistic. Greenhouse gases will decrease across the country by 20% by 2020 in a tangible way. Furthermore, we will make sure that the economic prosperity and growth of this country can continue.
An eminent Quebecker said about the Bloc Québécois, “It is fun to come up with sound bites when you do not have the responsibility that comes with the exercise of power. You can say whatever you want”.
Who said that? It was André Boisclair, the big brother of the Bloc Québécois.
The Environment April 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth. Under the leadership of the Minister of the Environment, greenhouse gas emissions are going to decrease for the first time in the history of this country.
I am proud of the Minister of the Environment and I am proud of what we are doing. Despite being in the opposition for 13 years, the Bloc Québécois did not manage to get the Liberals to come up with a credible plan of action for combating greenhouse gases.
Softwood Lumber April 19th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my hon. colleague that the agreement signed under the leadership of the Prime Minister was backed by Quebec.
The Government of Quebec is behind us, Quebeckers are behind us and the forestry industry is behind us. I do not understand the opposition and criticism from the Bloc Québécois. The Bloc Québécois seems to be bored in the House of Commons. One might wonder what its purpose is here.
Softwood Lumber April 19th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the government is being asked about this agreement because it is a source of pride to us. Why are we proud? Because this is an agreement that meets the needs of the industry in Quebec and that also satisfies Quebec's unions.
More importantly, this agreement provides for negotiation and discussion between the governments. That is what we are doing in the interest of all Canadians.
Steel Industry April 18th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague calls for a steel strategy, which would be very important but we have waited on the other side of the House for several years. The previous government should have presented a steel strategy but it never did anything. It continued to tax steel companies. For our part, in the latest budget we lowered the taxes on the steel industry, as I said previously, to enable them to be even more competitive in international markets. We have confidence in the steel industry businesses, just as we have confidence in textile and softwood lumber companies.
Steel Industry April 18th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the steel industry is an important industry in Canada. We know that very well. That is why, in the latest budget, we reduced the income tax rates for all industries, including the steel industry, which improves their profitability. Business people in the steel industry will thus have more money in their pockets to reinvest and continue to be competitive globally.
Softwood Lumber April 18th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my hon. colleague that in Quebec, 98% of softwood lumber companies supported the agreement and still support it. And in Quebec the Fédération des travailleurs du Québec (FTQ) also supports this agreement because it is good for the workers and for Quebec. That is why they supported the agreement and why they still support it today. I wonder where my colleague was a few months ago.