René Villemure

[Prevention of Government-Imposed Vaccination Mandates Act, October 24th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I will do my best to be enlightening during the time allotted to me.

As we know, thinking is not a crime that leads to death, unlike COVID-19. All of the bills introduced here, even the most ridiculous, can be debated. When I think of the word ridiculous, I cannot help but think of this bill from the member for Niagara West.

Over the course of my career as an ethicist, I heard half-truths, short answers, evasive statements, ridiculous statements and frankly idiotic statements. In fact, I think that is exactly what we find ourselves facing today: idiocy.

What is idiocy? It can be recognized by its love of inaccurate statements. Idiocy is the opposite of reason. When we debate a subject here, we have to be able to give meaning and direction to what we say. When what is being said makes no sense, it is akin to going the wrong way and getting lost. Without meaning, we go astray, get out of line, which leads to mistakes. That is where we are at today, because this bill is fundamentally a mistake. I will try to demonstrate that.

Generally speaking, the public must be given information. It is interesting that this word basically comes from two separate words. It means to put words “in formation” in order to understand and learn, because learning enables us to make a decision.

The opposite of reason is what we have often heard from the member for Niagara West in his speeches, which are ridiculous on more than one level. We often hear about freedom, but it is important to understand that one person's freedom ends where another's begins, as we have always said. It is also important to understand that there are others to consider.

These days, it is annoying how, since we got cellphones, like iPhones for example, if we want to know where we are, we just have to open Google Maps and there is a little blue dot showing us where we are. We are the centre of the universe, and everything else revolves around us. That is how I feel when I read this bill. It seems as though the person who drafted it feels like they are the centre of the universe and that everything revolves around them. It is not very inspiring.

Bill C‑278 prohibits quite a few things, but what I mainly see is that the sponsor of the bill is asking us to believe the same thing he believes. He wants us to share his obsession with vaccines and adopt his views, which he is attempting to pass off as the truth. I have a problem, which is that Bill C‑278 would put beliefs ahead of the public interest.

Of course, the Conservative Party will support this bill. That is obvious. When a person does not believe in climate change, they are likely to believe in anything. It is deplorable. However, the Bloc Québécois will not support the bill because it contains theoretical views that are at odds with science and common sense, the thing the Conservative Party likes to crow about and say it is championing.

This bill is meaningless. It is nonsense. It is a mistake.

[Situation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, October 16th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her insightful speech. Her remarks were very refreshing. I would like to ask her whether she believes there is room to take a step back or for nuance in this debate.

[Situation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, October 16th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech, which I really appreciated. I thank her for her sensitivity. I would like to ask her the following question. We have heard a lot of good intentions this evening, but beyond good intentions, what specifically can be done?

[Situation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, October 16th, 2023]

Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for his speech. This does not happen often, but for once, we are in agreement. The members of Hamas are terrorists. Hamas is seeking the annihilation of Israel. Hamas is evil. We all agree on that.

However, does the fact that these terrorists want to cause harm and the annihilation of Israel justify any action that will affect the entire Palestinian people?

Is my colleague for or against the establishment of a humanitarian corridor?

[Situation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, October 16th, 2023]

Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague opposite for his speech, which was passionate as usual. I would first like to let him know that my thoughts are with him. This evening, we are dealing with a difficult situation that requires sensitivity. I will ask my colleague a question about something he said. Where does one draw the line between defence and revenge?

[Situation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, October 16th, 2023]

Mr. Chair, does my colleague from Lac-Saint-Jean believe that the current Israeli government has everything it needs to resolve this situation peacefully?

[50th Anniversary of the Comité de solidarité Trois-Rivières, September 26th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, the Comité de solidarité Trois-Rivières is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The celebrations kicked off on September 11, a date that refers to the coup perpetrated by General Augusto Pinochet in Chile in 1973. At the time, a strong movement rose up against the Pinochet dictatorship. That is how the Quebec-Chile committee was born. A few years later, it became the Comité de solidarité Trois-Rivières.

The committee's mission is to raise awareness and mobilize the public around international issues. Much of its work involves solidarity and international co-operation projects. The committee also provides young people with educational and information tools to raise their awareness of current global issues.

I would like to commend the work of the entire team at the Comité de solidarité Trois-Rivières, including its director, Valérie Delage, board chair Sarah Bourdages, and the team of volunteers and board members who work tirelessly to build a fairer, more supportive and greener world.

[Allegations Against Government of India, September 19th, 2023]

Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague from Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia for her speeches, which are always insightful and sensitive.

I would like to ask her the following question. After seeing all the hesitation and avoidance that the government was careful to display all spring, does she believe that the government will really do anything about this situation, apart from the inquiry that is already in progress?

These facts are weighing heavily on our minds this week.

[Allegations Against Government of India, September 19th, 2023]

Mr. Chair, I often listen to my colleague opposite, and he always speaks from the heart.

I would like to ask him for a heartfelt answer. As a member of the community involved, and knowing that diasporas are affected, what does he think should be done to better protect and reassure communities and make them feel safer?

[Allegations Against Government of India, September 19th, 2023]

Mr. Chair, my colleague raised a very valid point.

All of us here are members of Parliament, regardless of our political affiliation. Our ideologies may differ. Members are familiar with mine. However when it comes to protecting Canadians, we must all speak with one voice. Any division is unacceptable when it comes to safety.

I thank my colleague for his question, and I hope my Conservative friends will heed the call being made directly to them this evening to get involved and to be deserving of the position they hold.