House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2011, with 24% of the vote.
Hydroelectricity November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, in addition to treating Hydro-Québec's revenue unfairly in the equalization calculation, the federal government has spent more than $66 billion on developing the oil sands and on nuclear energy, but has not invested a dime in hydroelectricity in Quebec.
Why does the Conservative government want to add funding power transmission lines to the long list of injustices perpetrated against Quebec and its hydroelectricity?
Hydroelectricity November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, it is always the same thing with the federal government: it always makes things difficult for the Quebec government and Hydro-Québec. Just look at equalization. While Hydro-Québec's revenue is taken into account, a portion of Hydro One's revenue in Ontario is excluded, with the excuse that it only transports energy.
Why does the government insist on penalizing Quebec, which chose, 40 years ago, to develop clean energy?
Hydroelectricity November 4th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the minister is hiding behind PPP Canada to conceal the federal government's intentions. The government wants to accommodate Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia in order to bypass Quebec. Otherwise, it would have already said no to that request.
How can the minister justify such an accommodation when he did not pay a single cent to help develop Quebec's hydroelectric infrastructure?
How can he justify such a double standard?
Hydroelectricity November 4th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance hides behind a crown corporation when anyone asks if the government plans to help fund an underwater cable that would allow Newfoundland and Labrador to bypass Quebec and export its electricity directly to the United States. Given that it is the federal government that finances and appoints administrators to PPP Canada, the minister cannot evade the issue so easily.
Will the minister ensure that Quebeckers' money is not used to compete unfairly with Quebec?
Hydroelectricity November 3rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the fact that Hydro One revenues are not treated the same way as Hydro-Québec revenues proves that flexible federalism is bad for Quebec. Hydro-Québec's revenues are included in the equalization formula, but some of Ontario company Hydro One's revenues are excluded on the grounds that the company simply transmits electricity.
How can the government treat revenues generated by identical activities differently? Is that what it means by flexible federalism?
Hydroelectricity November 3rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said that he would listen to the provinces that want him to subsidize their power grids. He did not say no to federal funding for the subsea electric cable between Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. The federal government did not contribute a penny to Quebec for hydroelectricity, but now it is planning to subsidize power grids in provinces that would compete with Quebec.
Is that what the Prime Minister means by flexible federalism?
Oil and Gas Exploration November 2nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the minister's lack of transparency indicates that there are risks with any operation in the St. Lawrence seabed. The National Assembly of Quebec adopted a motion calling for a moratorium on drilling and seismic testing permits for Old Harry and the suspension of existing permits until environmental assessments have been completed.
Will the government honour the unanimous motion of the National Assembly of Quebec?
Oil and Gas Exploration November 2nd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, a note obtained by the media clearly indicates that the department considered it risky for the Minister of Natural Resources to talk about oil spills such as the one in the Gulf of Mexico. The minister's silence proves that the government wants to play down the risks associated with offshore oil and gas development.
Can the government explain its lack of transparency and why it hid this information from the public?
The Environment November 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the seismic testing in Newfoundland has repercussions for hundreds, if not thousands of kilometres. What is happening in Newfoundland has an impact on Quebec.
In the name of due diligence, will the government act on the motion of the National Assembly and halt the current exploration until we have the results of the environmental assessments ordered by Quebec?
The Environment November 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, a number of experts interviewed by Le Devoir have pointed out that the seismic testing to be done on the Newfoundland portion of Old Harry, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, poses significant risks to a number of endangered species.
Will the government act on the unanimous motion of the National Assembly, calling for a halt to the current exploration?