House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 33% of the vote.
Genome Canada January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, despite what the Minister of State just said, the Conservative budget says nothing about the government's intentions regarding Genome Canada.
I have here a CP wire story that came out at noon today reporting that Genome Canada has announced to its European partners that, for lack of federal funding, it must withdraw from some of this year's projects. The question is simple. Will the government continue to fund Genome Canada this year and in years to come, yes or no?
Finance January 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance is using the financial crisis as a pretext to try to impose a single commission. Businessman Purdy Crawford, who led the restructuring of commercial paper in Canada, stated categorically, “The crisis took everyone by surprise, and a single regulator would not have changed anything.”
Will the minister admit that his only goal is to make Toronto Canada's financial centre, which goes against Quebec's interests?
Finance January 27th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, in the same unanimous resolution, Quebec's National Assembly reiterates its firm opposition to the proposed Canada-wide securities commission. The business community in Quebec also opposes this pet project of the Conservatives.
Why, with yesterday's throne speech, is the Minister of Finance still stubbornly taking this centralist route, which goes against Quebec's interests?
Points of Order December 3rd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, with the unanimous consent of the House, I would like to table the document the leader of the Bloc Québécois and I referred to during question period. That document is entitled “Consensus Leadership for a New Century” and in it, the former president of the Canadian Alliance is proposing an alliance to the Bloc Québécois and the Conservative Party in 2000.
If I had the unanimous consent of the House, I would table that document.
The Economy December 3rd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the deal proposed in 2000 was practically a program to govern that included democratic reform, respect for the jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces, tax cuts for families and business subsidies.
Given the content of this document, should the Prime Minister not reconsider and acknowledge that the current coalition is not only legitimate but that it is perfectly democratic?
The Economy December 3rd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the current Minister of International Trade, as leader of the Canadian Alliance, not only proposed getting together with the separatists to form a coalition government, but he also went so far as to agree to discuss the content of an eventual throne speech.
How can the Conservatives today maintain that the current coalition is illegitimate when they themselves did not hesitate to suggest the exact same thing in 2000 and 2004?
Government of Canada December 2nd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, our responsibility as parliamentarians is to ensure that answers are found for the public's concerns and difficulties during the current crisis. The government has totally discredited itself by doing exactly the opposite of that: creating more uncertainties and insecurity.
Is the Prime Minister aware that the initiative by the opposition parties has the support of civil society and that labour unions, environmentalists, women's groups and coalitions of artists see the tripartite agreement as a response at last to their concerns?
Government of Canada December 2nd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, it might be worthwhile for the Quebec political lieutenant to read the agreement before commenting on it.
During the campaign for the election he called supposedly to deal with the economic crisis, the Prime Minister never proposed any solutions. That explains why his government stayed in a minority position. Then the throne speech, as well as the economic statement, contained less than nothing about supporting the economy and helping the victims of the crisis.
Does the Prime Minister understand that he has totally failed, no longer has the confidence of the public, and no longer has the confidence of this House?
Points of Order December 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I wish to raise a point of order on another matter. During question period, the leader of the Bloc Québécois referred to a letter that the leaders of the three opposition parties had co-signed in 2004. I have that letter here. The NDP leader also mentioned it.
With the unanimous consent of the House, I would like to table the letter, which is dated September 9, 2004.
Hélène Pedneault December 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, we were saddened to learn of the death of the writer Hélène Pedneault, who was a friend, a novelist and a talented journalist. Her ongoing and even stubborn commitment to make Quebec a better, more just, more compassionate society is an example to us all.
This passionate woman cared about a number of causes. A sovereigntist from the start and a resident of Saint-Zénon, she was an active member of the Bloc Québécois in Joliette. She also sat on the Conseil de la souveraineté du Québec. As co-founder of Eau Secours, she fought passionately and vigorously for the environment, as she did for all the causes she defended during her lifetime.
A committed feminist, she made an invaluable contribution to the magazine La vie en rose, which she helped found. Her work is an inspiration to us all, and her passing will leave a huge void in Quebec and in the world of letters.
Goodbye, Hélène.