House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 35% of the vote.
Political Party Financing May 15th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister, during his speech in Montreal, skipped over a section confirming that the political financing legislation was a question of confidence in his government.
Can the Leader of the Government in the House tell us here today if the vote on political party financing will be a vote of confidence in the government? Yes or no?
Softwood Lumber May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, we have talked with representatives of this industry, and they recognize that loan guarantees could help them make it to the end of this process. The workers are telling us that changes to employment insurance could also help them.
Why is the minister waiting to implement phase two of his plan?
Softwood Lumber May 14th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the Minister for International Trade stated in the House that this situation must be resolved once and for all, and the Bloc Quebecois is keeping a close eye on him to see that it is. Very soon, the WTO should be making another ruling, and everyone believes that it will be in Canada's favour.
Will the minister admit that he could undermine his position during negotiations with the Americans by refusing to wait for the WTO's final decision and by settling the matter with the Americans based on a position considered unacceptable by the softwood lumber industry?
Budget Implementation Act May 13th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the members of the Bloc Quebecois vote no on this motion.
Budget Implementation Act May 13th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the members of the Bloc Quebecois vote no on this motion.
Terrorism May 13th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, once again, extremely deplorable attacks are being perpetrated. We can only feel consternation at such violence and its impact.
The Bloc Quebecois sends its sincerest condolences to the families of people of every nation who lost their lives in the attacks last night in Riyadh. We hope that the wounded will make a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the families of Canadians who were over there.
Terrorism is never a legitimate option. It strikes blindly. Its goals are, as the term suggests, to sow terror. Such utterly reprehensible acts must not affect efforts for peace in the Middle East.
We invite the Government of Canada to continue to collaborate with the appropriate international agencies to combat such violence.
The Liberal Government May 9th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, does the government think it is democratic that we should have to go on being unable to ask questions of the person who is really pulling the strings and paralyzing the government via other members and ministers?
The Liberal Government May 9th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, every day there is more evidence of this government's lack of ideas. Whether it is the softwood lumber crisis, the situation with the crab and cod fishers or the fish plant workers, this government is paralyzed not only by its inaction but also by this endless leadership campaign.
Does the government realize that it is indecent not to use the means at its disposal to take action, and that it cannot continue for much longer to hold the population hostage with the excuse of a leadership campaign?
Canadian Environmental Assessment Act May 6th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, members of the Bloc Quebecois will vote against this motion.
Supply May 1st, 2003
Mr. Speaker, in my previous professional life, that is before I was a member of Parliament, I worked for 16 years in the field of labour relations. I must confess that I always worked on the employer's side, and that employer was a pulp and paper company.
I commend the member for Laurentides for her speech, which, unfortunately, was very short. She should have asked for the unanimous consent of the House to continue for another 30 minutes. In short, I will put my question to her as quickly as possible so that she can make her views known.
The reason Quebec's anti-scab legislation was passed during the review of Quebec's labour code in 1977 was to eliminate all the violence in labour disputes.
You will recall that in Quebec, in 1973, there was a labour dispute in Longueuil, at United Aircraft, now known as Pratt & Whitney. That dispute led to confrontations. We must put ourselves in the shoes of the workers, who were exercising democratically their right to go on strike and who, every morning, saw buses go by, with darkened windows covered with wire mesh, filled with people coming to take their jobs. We can imagine how frustrated they were.
I would like to hear the comments of the member for Laurentides on this. If she has enough time, she could also talk about the human consequences of a labour dispute on the women, children and young people who are also affected, unfortunately.