House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 30% of the vote.
Official Languages March 20th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, on this International Day of La Francophonie, I want to know whether the government plans on renewing its commitment to the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality, which expires on March 31.
This roadmap needs funding so that we can provide the services needed to sustain official language minority communities.
Will the government renew and index its funding to ensure that this country's official language communities continue to flourish?
International Day of La Francophonie March 20th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, on this International Day of La Francophonie, allow me to share with you these lyrical musings. From France the ships made their way.
We braved the St. Lawrence,
Our canoes slicing the rapids,
Across the Great Lakes, day by day.
The way was hard and long.
But we tamed the land,
And planted deep roots.
Now with villages and churches, we're 9 million strong.
People said we wouldn't succeed,
The ocean would swallow us whole.
But in a new land, we did flourish,
Our new lives we did lead.
We are francophone. We are proud.
Hear our many accents, our eloquence.
Faced with injustice, we cannot be silenced.
Our voice is strong and loud.
We are francophiles—proud, joyous and bold,
Freedom flows through our veins.
We champion human rights 'round the world,
Helping the hungry, helpless and cold.
Francophones everywhere hope to see
A better world, pluralist and united.
The language of Molière, strong and free,
Is what unites La Francophonie.
Questions on the Order Paper March 8th, 2013
With regard to implementation of Division 54 of Part IV of An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 29, 2012 and other measures (formerly Bill C-38), which amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: (a) of the 280,000 permanent residency applications made before February 27, 2008, and whose processing will be cancelled, how many were made by applicants (i) for whom French is the language spoken at home, (ii) who speak French at home, (iii) who speak French fluently; and (b) in which receiving province or region were these residency applications placed?
Employment Insurance March 5th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, we knew that the Conservatives were harassing unemployed workers with home visits and that they even question the delivery dates of new mothers. Now we have learned that they have spy classes to teach their employees how to shadow unemployed Canadians.
What is next? Hidden cameras in employment insurance paperwork? GPS bracelets to track the unemployed?
Instead of investing in job creation and training, the Conservatives have created their own mini CIA to keep track of unemployed workers.
Workers are sick and tired of being treated like criminals and fraudsters, while real criminals, like Arthur Porter, are being rewarded by the Conservatives.
Workers know that the NDP stands up for them. They are going to give the Conservatives their due at the next election.
To paraphrase Vigneault, sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.
Perhaps they do not even realize it—
Employment Insurance February 6th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, eastern Canada is not the only part of the country experiencing the devastating effects of employment insurance reform.
Right here in the parliamentary restaurant, workers will get a taste of the minister's bitter pill. Every summer, employees are laid off from July to September while the House is closed. They will have to find lower-paying jobs within 100 kilometres. If they do not, their benefits will be cut.
The next time the minister goes for lunch, will she call those people bad guys, bad unemployed workers? If I were her, I would keep such thoughts to myself.
Rivière-du-Nord February 5th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I would like to share two stories that show how generous and compassionate my constituents are. Two separate benefits have been organized to support two children whose lives have been turned completely upside down by illness.
William Boucher, a three-year-old boy from Saint-Jérôme, has a serious form of leukemia for which he has to receive daily injections and weekly chemotherapy treatment. The École de danse orientale Samaya has organized a fundraiser with a show and a spaghetti supper for February 10.
Julymaude Boulet is a five-year-old girl from Saint-Colomban who had emergency surgery on a malignant tumour that was eating away at a vertebra and for which she has to undergo regular treatments. The community has organized a donation drive and a benefit show that will be held on February 16.
On behalf of all my colleagues in the New Democratic Party, I congratulate the community for its solidarity and offer our support to William and Julymaude, as well as their parents, as they fight these illnesses. Do not lose hope.
Business of Supply February 5th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I do not know if my hon. colleague is like me, but when I hear Liberal MPs talk about employment insurance, my ears burn. I cannot stand it anymore. It is unbelievable that these people are pretending to be the good guys.
I just heard the member for Bourassa pretend to be the good guy. The Liberal government stole from workers and employers by diverting $57 billion. How can the Liberals stand here today and talk about employment insurance?
Can my colleague comment on that?
Richard Garneau January 28th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to acknowledge the work of an exceptional man, a pillar of the journalism community, who certainly had a great impact on Quebec society.
Richard Garneau passed away on January 20 at the age of 82, depriving us of his eloquence, professionalism and love of sport.
Richard Garneau called games on La Soirée du hockey for 23 years and was a commentator at 23 Olympic Games. He spent most of his long career with Radio-Canada and became an ambassador of the French language.
When Richard Garneau introduced us to great Olympic athletes from Slovakia, Czechoslovakia and elsewhere, with names that only he managed to pronounce properly, we discovered the diversity of our world and Canada's and Quebec's place in the global community.
A great champion of the French language is gone. It is up to us to take up the torch of excellence that he passed on to us.
Violence Against Women December 6th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, today in my riding, dozens of people gathered at the Place de la paix to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Officially inaugurated on December 6, 2008, the Saint-Jérôme Place de la paix is a unique public space dedicated to quiet contemplation and reflection on universal peace. This year, Amnesty International, together with local partners and women's centres, planted the 14th peace tree during a special ceremony in memory of the massacre of 14 young women at the École Polytechnique.
I would like to thank all of the individuals involved directly and indirectly in this event, which reminded us that we have a duty to remember and that violence against women is a serious social problem that persists in Canada and around the world.
Let us take action and demonstrate real political will to act on the recommendations of the women's movement and put an end to this scourge.
Rail Transport December 4th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, according to the guidelines regarding noise created by rail facilities, particular attention should be paid to noise when a new line is built.
However, in my riding, residents are going to file a complaint regarding the noise coming from the new facilities for the Rive-Nord commuter train. The facilities were built in the heart of a residential area, fewer than 30 metres from houses.
Will the minister be proactive and work with the municipal authorities to ensure that the residents of Saint-Jérôme do not have to endure this noise?