Pascal-Pierre Paillé

[Business of Supply, February 24th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I agree in part with the member for Bourassa. The present economic situation is quite difficult. As he says, there is no need to be a genius to understand that. However, the result of the October 14 election is very clear. The government cannot invoke the economic situation to simply do what it pleases. Some things must be taken into account. We must make sure that good decisions will be made to help all citizens.

I would like to come back to a rather important question. If the securities commission works fine, as it does in Quebec especially, why would you want to change anything? While the official opposition voted for this budget, I would like to point out that, if the government is short of ideas or vision when it comes to solutions, the Bloc Québécois made numerous propositions regarding the budget which can be drawn from. I wonder why anyone would want to change things which presently work very well in Quebec.

[Quebec International Peewee Hockey Tournament, February 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked the end of the 50th Quebec International Peewee Hockey Tournament, which was held from February 11 to 22. It is the biggest minor hockey tournament in the world.

Over the past 50 years, the Carnaval peewees have become a winter-season fixture in the capital. This year, more than 2,300 players aged 11 and 12, from 16 countries, fought for the honour of becoming the world peewee hockey champions. These young players had some unforgettable encounters and, i am sure, left with unforgettable memories.

All of my Bloc Québécois colleagues join me in saluting the work of the organizers, coaches, officials, chaperones and volunteers who spared no effort to make this tournament a spectacular success. I would also like to congratulate the Donnacona—Pont-Rouge Diablos, who were crowned the champions of the C international finals. They gave their all for their coach, Michel Bédard, who is currently fighting cancer.

We are very proud to have hosted the 50th tournament in Quebec City.

[Transportation, February 5th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, a federal report indicates that Canadian National knowingly neglected work that its own engineers suggested be carried out on the Quebec bridge. In the meantime, the structure is deteriorating and the federal government is hiding behind its latest legal manoeuvre to justify its silence and inaction.

What is this government waiting for to repossess the Quebec bridge and carry out the work required for the safety of all users?

[Suicide Prevention Week, February 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, today, four of our fellow citizens will die by suicide, joining the more than 14,600 Quebeckers who have died by suicide during the last 10 years, and these deaths have left behind more than half a million grieving people.

Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 19 and it affects all regions of Quebec.

We believe that through concerted, coherent and intensive action, we can combat this phenomenon by making sure that all people in need have access to the effective resources they need.

We do not want suicide to take away any more of our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, other relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbours or students.

We believe that when it comes to suicide, education and awareness are everyone's responsibility. If we take a stand, we can make a difference.

“You are important to us. Suicide is not an option”. That is the message of the Quebec suicide prevention association.

[The Budget, January 29th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the citizens in the riding of Louis-Hébert and the Quebec City area were waiting for concrete measures from the Conservative government. After reading the budget, we must unfortunately conclude that they will have to go on waiting.

The Quebec bridge file continues to drag on. We are still waiting for action on the Super PEPS stadium. No commitment has been made with regard to the relocation of federal public servants. There is no clear support for the construction of a high-speed rail line from Quebec City.

The Conservative budget does not address Quebec priorities, nor the important priorities of the Quebec City area, and does nothing for the riding of Louis-Hébert.

[Economic and Fiscal Statement, December 2nd, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, on October 14, the people of Quebec unequivocally said no to the Conservative Party's policies. Need I point out that this is a minority government?

I have received an avalanche of emails and phone calls in support of the Bloc Québécois' actions, and I think it is important to say so.

As the member opposite just said, it is important, during this period of economic turmoil, to do something to help workers and businesses. So why have they not considered the Bloc Québécois' proposals?

[Laval University's Rouge et Or, November 24th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, with an exciting 44-21 victory over the University of Western Ontario Mustangs, Laval University's Rouge et Or captured the 2008 Vanier Cup, the symbol of supremacy in Canadian university football.

This is the fifth Vanier Cup in the short history of the team from Quebec City. This was a magnificent ending to a perfect season, another feat that few teams can boast about.

The Bloc Québécois would like to congratulate everyone who contributed to their success: players, coaches, owners and supporters were all part of the winning formula. Laval University has every reason to be proud of its football team and its success has brought honour to all Quebec.

[Football, November 20th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I will start with warm thanks to the voters of Louis-Hébert for the confidence they have shown me in the October 14 election.

I would also like to draw attention to three major sporting events that have taken place in recent days. First of all, two triumphs by football teams from the Quebec City area. Last Saturday, the Collège François-Xavier-Garneau Élans were the winners of the AAA collegiate football finals, the Bol d'or, while the Rouge et Or defeated the University of Calgary for the Uteck Cup.

My congratulations also go to the Montreal Alouettes for their win over the Edmonton Eskimos on November 16, before more than 40,000 fans.

Bravo to the players and coaching staff of these three top-notch teams. And good luck in the games coming up: the Vanier Cup game for the Rouge et Or and the Grey Cup game for the Montreal Alouettes.