Pierre Lemieux

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, April 24th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, what an alarming question. There was a report on OECD countries that actually listed Canada's food safety system as superior.

Our cost-saving measures will not reduce food safety. In fact, in our last budget, the one we just voted on recently, we increased funding for food safety by $50 million.

What did the hon. member and his colleagues do? They voted against that increase in funding for food safety.

[Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, April 3rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the strong and vibrant Franco-Ontarian culture in my riding of Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, which has one of the largest francophone populations in any riding outside Quebec.

As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, I extend my congratulations to the University of Guelph's Alfred campus on having educated our francophone youth in agriculture for 30 years. Congratulations.

I am also very proud of cultural organizations such as Le Chenail, La Maison des arts and Les trois p'tits points, for all they do to promote francophone culture in such a lively and engaging way.

Glengarry—Prescott—Russell can also rely on people who lead by example. At this year's 14th Banquet de la francophonie, I had the privilege of recognizing the accomplishments of some remarkable francophones.

To Louis Aubry, Sylvie Jean, René Pitre, Edgar Pommainville, Félix Desroches, Camille Legris and Zoé Monette, I extend my sincere congratulations and thank you for all you have done to promote French language and culture in Glengarry—Prescott—Russell.

[Canadian Food Inspection Agency, March 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I really do not understand my colleague's question at all.

I just mentioned that in this particular budget there is an additional $50 million for food safety. I am wondering how this member is going to vote after that lengthy question. I would also point out that in our last budget we included $100 million in additional funding for food safety, which that member voted against.

I believe that if the member is going to stand and ask questions about food safety, and if he wants to see additional funding for food safety, then he should also stand and vote in favour of this budget.

[Canadian Food Inspection Agency, March 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we take food safety very seriously. I would like to point out that in this particular budget, over $50 million will be committed to continuing the enhanced surveillance, early detection and response capabilities for food-borne illness emergencies.

I would like to know if this member, after that lengthy question, will actually stand in his place and support this positive measure for improving food safety here in Canada?

[Canadian Food Inspection Agency, March 16th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to improving service delivery for producers, consumers and other stakeholders in the food processing system.

I am happy to announce that we are launching a new complaints and appeals process. This new single window approach will provide a more transparent and accessible way for stakeholders to register complaints and appeals.

This commitment aims to improve interactions with CFIA stakeholders by offering a clear explanation of what the CFIA does, its service standards and what stakeholders can expect when dealing with the agency.

[Safer Railways Act, March 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, this is definitely an important bill as it deals with rail safety. This is certainly not the first time we have seen a version of this bill in front of Parliament.

I listened to my colleague and his earlier colleague speak about funding for rail safety. I think the NDP has a very checkered past in supporting rail safety. I point out that in 2009 our government had included a $71 million increase for safety in the budget, but the NDP voted against that and now we have a bill in front of Parliament.

I am glad to hear that the NDP supports this bill. What I want is confirmation that it does, indeed, support this bill and that it will not delay its passage.

[Safe Streets and Communities Act, March 6th, 2012]

What about the victims?

[Safe Streets and Communities Act, March 6th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, I have listened to the debate whenever the bill has been in front of the House. I have rarely heard the opposition talking about victims or the justice system needing to protect innocent Canadians and the victims of crime. Could the minister comment on this? He works closely with victims' groups. What is their view on the legislation and the amendments we are putting forward?

[Business of Supply, February 28th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, how can my colleague explain that when the Liberals were the government, they had a number of different initiatives that actually went on to propose what has been proposed in this type of legislation, with even weaker protection for privacy rights, and now that they are the opposition, they are outraged?

How can the member justify these two contrasting positions, the one the Liberals had when they were in power versus the one they have now in opposition, and the two completely different points of view on what is basically very similar legislation?

[Agriculture and Agri-Food, February 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian producers want to make their living in the marketplace and our government is working hard to build opportunities on the world stage. Today the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced that Tongwei Co., Ltd., a major Chinese feed company, intends to increase its purchase of Canadian canola by up to $240 million per year by 2015.

As Chinese demand for Canadian canola grows, our government remains committed to improving the long-term trade of Canadian canola. Our government is building on our strong record and will continue to fight for—