Richard Martel

[Justice, February 6th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe that the minister is still trying to protect the legislation flowing from Bill C‑5. There is clearly a problem with the word “justice” in the office of the Minister of Justice.

Under this new legislation, a crook caught in possession of a fully loaded illegal firearm and a rapist will serve their sentence at home. That is the Liberal record after eight years. We are living in a country that does not prioritize victims' rights.

Could the minister admit that the Bill C‑5 legislation is a failure and send criminals back “inside” so that there may be justice for the victims?

[Justice, February 6th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, after eight years of this Prime Minister, the numbers are worrisome.

Violent crimes are up 32% and gang-related murders are up 92%. That is where things stand under the Liberals. Why? It is because they have introduced policies that benefit criminals rather than victims.

Could the minister protect victims and leave rapists and thieves in prison where they belong?

[The Economy, February 6th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to describe the situation in Canada after eight years under the Liberals. Things are not looking so good, even though the Prime Minister says that everything is fine.

Inflation is at a 40-year high, houses are unaffordable and food banks cannot keep up with the demand. Full-time workers can no longer make ends meet. Those who were donating food are now the ones using food banks. That is the situation after eight years of this Prime Minister. In Quebec, one-third of requests for food assistance are for children. Yes, it has come to that. Canada, a G7 country, has working poor and children who are going hungry.

The Liberals have been hurting the Canadian economy for the past eight years. The least they could do would be to cancel the carbon tax, but instead they want to triple it.

There is a ray of hope. Once the leader of the Conservative Party takes office, he will straighten out our country's finances, do away with the carbon tax and give control back to Canadians so that they no longer have to choose between putting clothes on their backs, food on their tables or a roof over their heads.

[Justice, February 2nd, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, when the Conservatives were in office, a serious crime resulted in serious consequences. Now, there is no longer a minimum sentence for rapists. That is what happened with Jonathan Gravel, a man found guilty of rape, who will serve his sentence from the comfort of his own home. A Quebec Crown prosecutor had the courage to stand up and speak out against this completely unacceptable situation.

Did the minister forget that the word “justice” is part of his title? There is no justice for victims.

[Justice, February 2nd, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, violent crime in Canada has increased by 32% since 2015 and gang-related homicides have increased by 92%.

What is more, the Liberals, supported by the Bloc Québécois, passed Bill C‑5, a piece of legislation that eliminates minimum sentencing. That is what is happening in Canada after eight years under this government: more crime and more criminals out on bail.

Can the Minister of Justice face reality and admit that his policies favour criminals and penalize victims?

[Ethics, December 14th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, this is not the first Liberal scandal. There was also WE Charity, SNC-Lavalin, and the list goes on.

In the latest ethics violation, the Minister of International Trade awarded two contracts to her very close friend, Amanda Alvaro. An apology is just not enough when Canadians' wallets are empty and the Liberals are lining their friends' pockets on the backs of taxpayers. It is not complicated. The minister needs to step down.

Will the minister step down on her own, or will the Prime Minister have to force her to do so?

[Firearms, December 13th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, a young man who was caught with a prohibited weapon loaded with 72 rounds of ammunition managed to avoid prison thanks to a Liberal law, which of course was supported by the Bloc Québécois and the NDP. There is no longer a minimum sentence for this type of crime in Canada. On the one hand, the government lets criminals roam free and, on the other hand, it wants to penalize honest gun owners by passing Bill C‑21. Talk about a double standard.

Will the Liberals go after the real criminals and leave hunters alone?

[Winter Tourism in Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, December 13th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, we are in for a particularly spectacular winter. Record-setting temperatures and impressive snowfalls are expected, which make for perfect conditions for winter sports and attractions. One thing is certain, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord will be ready.

On December 1, along with mayors from various municipalities, I had the opportunity to participate in the launch of the winter tourist season in the Lower Saguenay.

Thrill seekers can get their adrenaline fix skiing down Mont Édouard, with its 450-metre vertical drop.

Those looking to take in the sights can enjoy hundreds of kilometres of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails, complete with breathtaking scenery.

People searching for a unique experience should try their hand at ice fishing on the Saguenay. It will never disappoint.

I have no doubt that everyone will find the perfect way to enjoy our beautiful Canadian winter while practising a sport they love.

I invite everyone to visit our magnificent region.

I wish everyone a wonderful winter, and I hope to see my colleagues in my neck of the woods.

[Carbon Pricing, December 8th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, it is pretty ironic to hear the Liberals say that they understand Canadians' suffering when they have no problem handing out $32 billion in benefits to dead people and prisoners. What they need to understand is that we live in Canada. In winter, the temperature can drop to -45°C, and we are expecting record-breaking cold temperatures. Heating their homes in winter is not a luxury for Canadians.

Will the Prime Minister promise to do the only honourable thing left, which is to cancel the carbon tax so Canadians can stay warm?

[Carbon Pricing, December 8th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians woke up yesterday morning to news that is the stuff of nightmares. The Bank of Canada announced an increase in the interest rate, the seventh increase in a year, thanks to the Liberals and their inflationary spending.

For a family with an average mortgage, that represents $7,000 more in interest per year and then they still need to heat their home. We know that the carbon tax applies to residential heating.

Will the Prime Minister cancel this tax so that Canadians do not freeze in their own homes?