Michel Guimond

[Nisga'A Final Agreement Act, December 13th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like to know when the Chair will make a ruling. We cannot go on waiting like this all day long. I totally agree with my colleagues from across—

[Division No. 534, December 13th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I simply wanted to be sure that my vote was counted with my Bloc Quebecois colleagues. I am not sure my vote was counted, although I was present here in the House and wanted to vote in support of my colleague's motion.

[Prime Minister, December 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister decides it is time to put Quebec in its place, to deny the existence of the Quebec people and attack them just to make himself look good, there is no commitment, no fair play, no rules that hold any more.

The Prime Minister does his deeds at night, behind closed doors, running roughshod over the public and its democratically elected representatives.

Speaking about Fidel Castro and his regime, the Prime Minister did not hesitate to say “He does not have much opposition. I would love to be in the same position”.

The Prime Minister's past and present actions clearly demonstrate that he meant what he said. The important thing for him is to have his own views prevail at all times. Anyone holding a different view has no choice but to shut up.

This is a sad day for democracy.

[Air Transportation Industry, December 6th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there is major concern in several areas of Quebec following the suspension of InterCanadian's operations. Stakeholders are worried about the potential negative effects on regional carriers and the economic impact Air Canada's monopoly will have on fares, and on frequency and quality of service.

My question is for the secretary of state responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the region of Quebec. Can he reassure the House that he will do everything in his power to ensure that Air Canada signs agreements with all the regional carriers, including InterCanadian, so that regional air transportation continues to be competitive?

[Airline Industry, December 3rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, what an incredible answer.

Does the parliamentary secretary realize that this shutdown of operations has left the regions of Quebec and the Maritimes without airline service, as well as throwing 900 employees out of work? That is irresponsible.

[Airline Industry, December 3rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, nearly 500 InterCanadian employees are in Ottawa at the present time protesting the monumental fiasco in which the Minister of Transport has plunged regional air travel since his announcement this past August 13.

Will the minister agree to organize an emergency meeting with all parties concerned, in order to ensure that InterCanadian gets its flights back up and running as quickly as possible?

[Air Transportation Industry, December 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, since the problems of InterCanadian are directly related to his mishandling of the Onex bid to acquire Air Canada and Canadian Airlines, does the Minister of Transport not have a responsibility to step in now in order to save the 900 jobs his incompetence has jeopardized?

[Air Transportation Industry, December 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, up until August 13, when the Minister of Transport made a commitment to the Onex bid to acquire Canadian International Airlines and Air Canada, InterCanadian was completely profitable. Since that time, there has been a dramatic 20% drop in reservations with InterCanadian.

Is the minister not demonstrating a considerable lack of knowledge of the issues when he tells this House that InterCanadian's difficulties are linked to its acquisition of Air Atlantic?

[Air Transportation Industry, December 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transport's explanation for the difficult situation of InterCanadian is excess capacity on regional routes.

In this regard, how can he explain that he is still refusing to say he will not grant a regional licence to a future carrier based in Hamilton? Would it not be totally logical to take a clear position in this matter?

[Air Transportation Industry, December 1st, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Transport expressed surprise that the President of InterCanadian did not lay the blame for its difficult situation on the management team of the company. According to him, they are the ones responsible for the difficulties the company has been experiencing.

How can the minister justify his lack of interest in saving the 900 jobs at InterCanadian, while he has been involved for some months to a greater extent than necessary in trying to save Canadian Airlines?