Richard Martel

[Health, April 22nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the media headlines could not have been clearer than they were this morning.

The Indian variant has arrived in Canada and the first case of it has been confirmed in Quebec in the region of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. The Prime Minister has already been criticized many times for his management of the health crisis, particularly for waiting several weeks before temporarily closing the Canadian border to people coming from China.

Today, he has a chance to redeem himself. Will he temporarily close Canada's borders to people coming from India?

[The Budget, April 20th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, stable, predictable and unconditional increases to health transfers was Quebec's biggest ask in this federal budget.

We are in the midst of a global pandemic. The health care system is being tested. Quebec is not the only province calling for this; all provinces and territories are. The commitment to increase health transfers must be honoured now.

How could the Prime Minister fail to seize an opportunity like this?

[The Budget, April 20th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's response was quite clear about the $3 billion over five years specifically for long-term health care.

First, it is not an unconditional transfer. As usual, the Liberals are interfering in provincial jurisdictions. Second, as Quebec's finance minister pointed out, the federal government missed a unique opportunity to partner with Quebec on long-term health care.

How do the Liberals plan to repair their relationship with the Government of Quebec?

[The Budget, April 20th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday's budget was an open bar.

It would have been nice if the Liberals had shown as much enthusiasm for other major issues, such as health care, as they did for camping. The provinces are asking for stable, predictable and unconditional increases to health transfers. The Conservatives support the provinces' demand. We are in the middle of a pandemic, so it just makes sense.

Why did the Prime Minister not agree to Quebec's main demand?

[Health, April 14th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if we live in the same reality, but the facts speak for themselves.

In all, 20% of Americans have received both doses of the vaccine, compared with 2% of Canadians. Media reports suggest large stocks of vaccines and a significant dependence on other countries. We were not prepared. Instead of taking action 13 months ago, the government was asleep at the switch while other countries were getting organized. We want to collaborate with the government, but can the Prime Minister admit that he failed when it comes to vaccination?

[Health, April 14th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, if the Prime Minister wants to talk about the facts, we will do just that.

Instead of working with the United States on a coordinated response to the pandemic, the Liberal government chose to co-operate with China. Canada has just surpassed the United States in case counts per million people. The provinces are shutting down for another extended period. The government has been in reactive mode from the outset.

Will the Prime Minister admit that his handling of the pandemic is a failure?

[Health, April 14th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is making headlines around the globe, but for all the wrong reasons.

Canada's handling of the pandemic has been a failure. Even the popular American news network CNN has reported on it. The only one who does not seem to realize this is the Prime Minister himself, who went as far as to say that CNN should have stuck to the facts.

Does the Prime Minister still think CNN is spreading fake news?

[National Defence, April 13th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the way the Prime Minister, a self-proclaimed feminist, is dealing with this issue speaks volumes about Liberal priorities when it comes to women. We saw the cavalier way the Prime Minister acted with two of his former female MPs.

I doubt that the majority of the House supports hindering the work of parliamentarians on an issue that affects the safety of our brave soldiers.

What message does this send to the women who are proudly serving in the army?

[National Defence, April 13th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, with the support of the Bloc Québécois, the Liberals adopted a motion yesterday at the Standing Committee on National Defence to end the investigation into Justin Trudeau's cover-up of sexual misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces.

The committee still needs to hear from some key witnesses. What is most surprising is that the Bloc Québécois members decided to support the Liberals on this. They sold their support for a pittance.

What I want to know is this: What did the Liberals give them in exchange for this shameful pact?

[Robert Hakim, April 12th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, on March 31, Saguenay lost a great member of its community, a great advocate for regionalism. A friend to all and director of memories, Robert Hakim was more than a cousin to me. He was a friend. He put Saguenay on the cultural map. People from Saguenay and Quebec were able to participate in major events organized by Productions Hakim. One need think only of the Festival international des rythmes du monde and the Festival des bières du monde, which were two of his biggest accomplishments. Robert was a vital part of the community and knew practically everyone. He was intelligent, trustworthy, refined and, above all, extremely generous. He made a big difference in many people's lives, including mine.

The entire region will miss you. On March 31, I said that Saguenay would wake up the next day to a little more darkness, one less ray of sunshine, but, in reality, Robert, your light will continue to shine bright and strong.

Thank you for everything, and rest in peace.