Richard Martel

[Sport, June 20th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, Hockey Canada got $14 million in federal funding during the pandemic. In 2018, the Minister of Sport at the time said that organizations were required to disclose allegations of abuse and harassment or they would lose their federal funding. Such behaviours should never be kept quiet.

Will the minister be taking Hockey Canada's funding back?

[Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, May 31st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, labour shortages are an undeniable problem in our economy. Not only is there a shortage of workers, but more and more people no longer want to work because this government has created a culture of dependency that does not encourage them to work.

Since the Liberals are struggling to fast-track foreign worker applications, will this government introduce incentives that benefit the labour market?

[The Economy, May 2nd, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, Canada now has the third highest inflation rate in the G7 at 6.7%.

What this means for Canadians, in concrete terms, is that if they did not get a 6.7% wage increase in the past year, they became poorer. On top of that, the cost of groceries has gone up 8.7% over the past year, and that is the second highest rate in the G7. It seems as though the minister is wearing rose-coloured glasses while making her budget forecasts. Obviously, it is not working.

When will she change her approach and start acting for Canadians?

[Guy Lafleur, April 25th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, Quebeckers and Canadians across the country mourned the loss of Guy Lafleur.

His performance on the ice was simply spectacular: more than 50 goals in six consecutive seasons, five Stanley Cups, including four consecutive championships, and every record the “blond demon” racked up over the years. He fired up the crowds and created excitement. He pleased his fans like no one else. His extraordinary feats followed him throughout his life off the ice. His community, his fans, and his audience were his top priority. There are no words to adequately describe the impact he had on Quebec society. Guy was an exceptional man.

I offer my deepest condolences to the Lafleur family, his mother, Pierrette, his sisters, Lise, Lucie, Suzanne and Gisèle, his wife, Lise, and his sons, Martin and Mark. Guy Lafleur has left us, but our memories of him have never been more vibrant.

May Guy rest in peace.

[Natural Resources, April 7th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, we learned this week that the federal budget will likely provide $2 billion to accelerate the production of certain minerals needed for electric vehicles.

Canada is not targeting phosphate, even though we can potentially mine it. Tesla has chosen to use a lithium iron phosphate battery. Phosphate must be part of the strategy. That is one of the recommendations of the Standing Committee on International Trade.

Will phosphate be part of the strategy and will it be entitled to its share of the pie?

[Jeanick Fournier, April 7th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, there was a performance on the well-known show, Canada's Got Talent, two days ago that is worth mentioning here in the House.

Jeanick Fournier, from Chicoutimi, was the recipient of the famed golden buzzer for her outstanding performance of Céline Dion's I Surrender.

Jeanick's background is quite remarkable. She started singing in her church choir and now she is on the big stage. Her performance was impressive and very inspiring for all the young singers who saw it.

I had the chance to see her on the regional circuit, and here she is on the national stage. With her talent, she is on her way to international fame. Jeanick deserves every success. Her involvement in the community and her professional career make her an incredible asset to our region. She is, quite simply, impressive and inspiring.

Congratulations and good luck.

[Housing, March 29th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, moving season is coming soon. My constituents are very worried and even discouraged because there is no housing available and housing is unaffordable. What is more, the cost of two-by-fours is skyrocketing, which contributes to the housing crisis.

Prices are soaring everywhere, and I am not talking about groceries or gas. The government, however, claims that everything is fine.

Let us ask Canadians whether everything is fine. They have lost confidence in their economy. When will the government make Canadians the top priority?

[Canadian Men's Soccer Team, March 28th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, we witnessed a historic moment last night. The Canadian men's soccer team qualified for the 2022 World Cup with a crucial 4-0 win over Jamaica.

Congratulations to the entire team, which was led by the talented Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. The perseverance, determination and mutual support shown by the team, especially following Alphonso Davies' myocarditis diagnosis, are a reflection of our Canadian values.

I also want to congratulate the team members behind the bench, especially head coach John Herdman. As a former coach, I know first-hand the sacrifices and efforts they have had to make to guide the team to the top.

This victory will have a big impact on the popularity of amateur sport across Canada, just as it will on the soccer club in my region, the Venturi de Saguenay, led by Maxime Pepin Larocque.

We will be watching Canada's team, and we are behind them all the way. We hope they will make us proud, as the Canadian women's team did.

Go, Canada, go.

[Health, February 16th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the Quebec government announced yesterday that it is lifting vaccine passport requirements and that it has a detailed reopening plan with clear objectives. Why can the federal government not do the same?

Even the member for Louis-Hébert voted in favour of our motion to lift measures. The Prime Minister is really using the pandemic for partisan, electioneering purposes to save his job. When will he lift all health measures in Canada?

[Olympic Games, February 15th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, last night, an Olympic record was broken at the Beijing Olympics when the Canadian long track speed skating team won the gold medal.

I would like to congratulate Valérie Maltais, Isabelle Weidemann and Ivanie Blondin for this spectacular performance. This trio has great chemistry, and they are fun to watch.

In particular, I would like to congratulate Valérie Maltais, the pride of La Baie. Her Olympic career has been extraordinary: She has participated in four Olympics, won two medals in two different disciplines, and was the third athlete in the world to win Olympic medals in two speed skating disciplines.

That is impressive. This golden prize is the result of all the sacrifices she and her family have made over the past 15 years. Her perseverance and determination have made her the athlete she is today. She is a role model for youth across the country.

I again congratulate Valérie and her parents, Martine and Gérald. The entire region is proud of her. Long live the Saguenay speed skating tradition.