Michel Boudrias

[D-Day, June 5th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, on June 5, 1944, at 9:15 p.m., Radio Londres alerted the French resistance that Operation Overlord was about to begin by broadcasting the first stanza of Verlaine's poem Chanson d'automne: The autumn's throbbing
Strings moan, sobbing
Drone their dole;
Long-drawn and low,
Each tremolo
Sears my soul.

The next day, the Normandy landings began. The brave soldiers, some as young as 18, came under intense enemy fire. Too many young men fell on the beaches of Normandy, but their sacrifice freed Europe from Nazi rule. Many units from Quebec, like the Régiment de la Chaudière, the Black Watch and the Régiment de Maisonneuve, took part in the Normandy invasion.

On this day, we honour their sacrifice and their outstanding courage. They died for our freedom, which we so often take for granted.

Thank you to all our veterans. Lest we forget.

[Public Services and Procurement, May 31st, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I was just getting started.

Having had 600 lobbying meetings since the Liberals came to power in 2015, the Irvings are clearly part of the family, which has paid off. They were given a golden ticket, which lets them pass off their Alberta french fry factories as technological benefits for the shipbuilding industry. When journalists have pointed questions about their business, the government warns the Irvings so they can then threaten them.

As usual, the government is manoeuvring to kill Davie and Quebec's shipbuilding industry, Irving's main rival.

My question is simple: when will there be an inquiry? When will a special parliamentary committee—

[Public Services and Procurement, May 31st, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, we already knew that the Irvings were controlling the Maritimes, but it is becoming increasingly obvious that their company is also exerting more and more control over the federal government.

First of all, the Irvings took pretty much all of the money that was available to help combat the spruce budworm. Then, they got their hands on most of the shipbuilding strategy's $100 billion. Meanwhile, Davie, the Quebec shipbuilding industry, is being passed over for Coast Guard contracts in favour of the Irvings.

Why is the government working on behalf of the Irvings instead of Canadians?

[Justice, May 17th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, that is just a sham and a gong show.

I want to move on to something else. Vice-Admiral Norman is the victim of both the Conservatives' pettiness and the Liberal government's incompetence. The Conservatives hid the fact that they mandated Admiral Norman to talk to Davie about the Asterix so that they could continue their partisan attacks at his expense—and at the expense of Davie, in particular. The Liberals are no better. They referred this matter to the RCMP, as if it were no big deal, without checking and validating the facts, which is what led to this shameful investigation. The entire Canadian establishment is now implicated.

Will the government launch a public inquiry to get to the bottom of the situation regarding Admiral Norman and the contracts—

[Intergovernmental Relations, May 17th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, working for Quebec and in Quebec's best interests means complying with the agreements between this government and Quebec. The agreement on infrastructure makes it clear that Canada's role is limited to contributing financially, period. It will not be involved in the implementation stages. Essentially, according to the agreements, the only two things Ottawa can do with regard to Quebec are sign a cheque and get out of the way. Quebec wants Ottawa to transfer this infrastructure funding as a lump sum, with no strings attached, in accordance with the agreement.

Could the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities stop stirring up artificial quarrels and just cut a cheque instead of putting on a show for the cameras?

[Intergovernmental Relations, May 17th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, this week, Quebec got to witness a road show, a piece of political theatre in bad taste about extending Highway 19. The people of Terrebonne are pleased, because this is the good news they have been waiting for for years.

However, it is Quebec that builds highways, not Ottawa. Not one centimetre of road is built in Quebec without the authority and approval of the Government of Quebec.

Why did the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities organize a press conference in our backyard, without Quebec, when there is no real announcement to be made because Quebec has the final say?

Does it have something to do with the election?

[Public Safety, May 2nd, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, at this time, there should be no petty politics when it comes to flood victims.

We have seen the public's generosity on several occasions during different disasters that have occurred in Canada and Quebec.

People need immediate assistance now. There are urgent needs and there is no time to lose.

Will the Minister of Public Safety immediately match the Quebec government's donation to the Red Cross?

[Public Safety, May 2nd, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for his answer.

So far, the Government of Quebec has given the Canadian Red Cross $1 million to directly help the victims with their basic needs. I am still talking about the floods since that is the issue at hand. The Government of Quebec gave $1 million without delay.

We are calling on the federal government to do the same today. That would directly, tangibly, and immediately help those who are in great need, the people on the ground.

If Ottawa can find $12 million to help Loblaws, then surely it could find $1 million somewhere in the budget.

Can the minister commit to matching Quebec's donation to the Red Cross?

[Public Safety, May 2nd, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, families in Quebec are working around the clock to save their homes. Some have already lost everything. People who were evacuated are wondering if they still have a home to return to. In the meantime, the Minister of Public Safety is not sure if he will directly compensate the victims of the flood that continues to rage on.

Can the minister commit to compensating homeowners who might potentially be forced to move out of flood-prone areas?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, April 29th, 2019]

With regard to federal spending in the riding of Rivière-des-Mille-îles, for each fiscal year since 2010-11, inclusively: what are the details of all grants and contributions and all loans to every organization, group, business or municipality, broken down by the (i) name of the recipient, (ii) municipality of the recipient, (iii) date on which the funding was received, (iv) amount received, (v) department or agency that provided the funding, (vi) program under which the grant, contribution or loan was made, (vii) nature or purpose?