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Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was tax.

Last in Parliament September 2008, as Liberal MP for LaSalle—Émard (Québec)

Won his last election, in 2006, with 48% of the vote.

Statements in the House

The Economy May 28th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, in his preamble the hon. member said that Canadians want some good news. Well, let us give them good news.

Retail sales in the month of March were up 1.1%. Nominal merchandise exports are up. The fact is our trade surplus is up. The OECD expects Canada to have the second highest growth in 1999 and the highest growth of all G-7 countries in the year 2000.

I will go on, but I know you may cut me off, Mr. Speaker. Manufacturing shipments were up 2% in March. There is a whole list of good news and that is a—

The Economy May 28th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, again one might ask the Reform Party member to quote from the entire study.

It also showed that average hourly earnings for employees is up 1.4% from last March. It showed that employment increased this March as employers added 38,000 additional workers to their payrolls. I would suggest that the whole study be examined.

Taxation May 27th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, no doubt it was most unfortunate that there were cutbacks in the public sector. These were required in order to get government finances in order. It is important to note what was also referred to by the TD, that it was not only at the federal government level but at the provincial government level, including British Columbia and Saskatchewan, governments the hon. member knows well.

Small Business May 27th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, the member from Sarnia has shown a great interest in this matter. I will certainly take his question as representation. As he knows, the industry committee is looking into this matter. I await its report with great eagerness.

Tainted Blood May 27th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, this matter has been referred in principle to the ethics commissioner, who has said that a response will be forthcoming.

The Economy May 27th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, as is evident again from reading the TD study, the problem arose out of the recession that I talked about from 1990 to 1992 and a whole series of policies that were put in place by the previous government which in fact led to a very poor 1990 to 1994.

Given the fact that the Reform Party is criticizing that period, why is it so eager to hop into bed with the Tory party which gave us those economic policies? Why the united alternative?

The Economy May 27th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, it is quite the opposite as anyone who has read the TD study would demonstrate.

The fact is that from 1990 to 1992 this country went through one of the deepest recessions we have ever seen, much deeper than the United States. In 1993 when we took office with a deficit rising, interest rates rising, unemployment rising, it is very clear that Canada suffered from severe trauma.

What has in fact happened since we have taken office is that those numbers have turned for the better. Our unemployment is down. Our interest rates are down. Our economic growth is up. The situation has turned around and most economists would recognize that.

Publishing Industry May 27th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member would know if he were to talk to anyone who does responsible budgeting, which he may not, in fact any government would make provisions for this kind of matter.

Canada Development Corporation May 26th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, how was I supposed to give notification of an event of which I had no recollection?

Canada Development Corporation May 26th, 1999

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is factually incorrect. I was a director of the Canada Development Corporation. Connaught Laboratories was a subsidiary of a subsidiary of the Canada Development Corporation. Each of the companies had their own independent boards of directors.

As I have already stated, I have no recollection of any discussions at the CDC board level on this matter. As a matter of fact this has been discussed by my office with a number of other directors and they have no recollection of the matter being discussed.