Raymonde Folco

[Petitions, November 9th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present today a petition signed by many citizens of Edmonton Centre, Lethbridge and Westlock—St. Paul who are frustrated by the minority Conservative government that has slashed $17.7 million in literacy funding despite a $13 billion surplus.

On this, National Literacy Day, we understand their frustration with these cuts, given that some 38% of Canadians have difficulty reading and writing.

The international adult literacy and skills survey shows that nearly one in two Quebeckers between the ages of 16 and 65 have insufficient reading skills to function fully in society.

These petitioners are asking Parliament to reinstate funding to literacy programs cut by the Conservative government and to undertake a national literacy strategy to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to achieve this vital skill.

[Income Trusts, November 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the minority Conservative government's recent decision about income trusts was a massive attack that cost Canadian investors billions of dollars.

Jacques Dompierre from the Ottawa region wrote: “I think that...the changes proposed by [the Minister of Finance] are a serious mistake”.

Mr. Dompierre thinks that he should never have had to take such huge losses because of his government and he added, “It is clear that Ottawa must reconsider the proposed changes and try to undo this week's carnage”.

Many Canadians agree. They invested their money in income trusts because they believed the Conservatives' election promise.

Mr. Speaker, there is no justification for the Conservatives' about-face.

[Government Programs, October 31st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec is without a question, the province that benefited the most from the SCPI program and also the province with the greatest needs. Amounts allocated under SCPI were exhausted in Quebec well before they were in the other provinces.

Does the minister recognize that Quebec's need for funding of the SCPI program is urgent? What amount will be allocated to Quebec?

[Government Programs, October 31st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government had extended funding for the supporting communities partnership initiative.

The SCPI was the cornerstone of the national homelessness initiative and federal funding served as leverage to attract additional investments in the communities.

The $263 million allocation expires this spring. Can the minister tell this House if she has renewed financing for the SCPI program?

[Status of Women, October 26th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Table de concertation de Laval en condition féminine on the recent launch of its DVD, Lavalloises en marche, which depicts the dedication and solidarity of the hundreds of women from Laval who took part in the events around the World March of Women in 2005.

The mission of the Table de concertation de Laval en condition féminine is to collectively promote and defend women's rights. But by cutting Status of Women Canada's operating budget nearly in half, the government of the Prime Minister has demonstrated that women's rights are not among its priorities.

Since September 25, the Table de concertation en condition féminine and other women's organizations have been in shock. These groups are extremely worried and are wondering how much longer they will be able to meet women's needs.

How can this Conservative government remain indifferent to the struggle waged by hundreds of women across Canada every day?

[Budget Implementation Act, 2006, No. 2, October 26th, 2006]

I would like to give the floor to my colleague.

[Ministerial Expenses, October 24th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec is supposed to know the law of Canada. It is clear: the expenses he has incurred in carrying out his duties must be made public.

But the minister did not see fit to comply with these requirements within the time allotted. This is a cavalier attitude for a minister.

Since the minister has stated that the expenses he should already have declared are being processed, can he at least tell us how much he spent?

[Ministerial Expenses, October 23rd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, we were very surprised to learn this morning that a number of Conservative ministers have not declared any entertainment expenses since last summer. Even the Minister of Labour said he was surprised. I would say there is a difference between what is declared and what is spent, but I will go on to my question.

The Minister of Labour said that he is surprised by such a statement, although he submitted an expense report that was incorrect and incomplete.

How can Canadians know how much the ministers are spending? The government is not obeying the rules of transparency and integrity.

My question is simple. What are the Conservative ministers hiding from Canadians?

[Decorum, October 20th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, not only did the Minister of Foreign Affairs make these unacceptable comments but, to add insult to injury, he had the audacity to deny it. He refused to admit that he made the comments that we heard yesterday right here. Nevertheless the tapes show beyond a shadow of a doubt that he did make these comments.

Will the Prime Minister order the Minister of Foreign Affairs first of all to tell the truth, and second, to acknowledge that he made these comments and to apologize publicly?

[Decorum, October 20th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary secretary's comments do not at all address the underlying issue.

Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs made some absolutely insulting remarks. He said that the member for Newmarket—Aurora is a dog.

What are the intentions of the Prime Minister? Will he force the minister to publicly apologize? Will he strip him of his title of Canada's representative abroad, or demand both? Women expect much more than just silence in this matter.