House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2025, with 34% of the vote.
International Trade December 12th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, Sylvain Maltais of the United Steelworkers is here today to express workers' concerns about the fact that the North American aluminum market is not getting adequate protection.
The government acted too fast and proved it has no respect for the greenest aluminum on the planet. When the Prime Minister visited our area, I clearly remember him saying that he would fight for our aluminum industry.
How is he going to protect our market and increase exports of aluminum from the Saguenay?
International Trade December 11th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, unless we were to abandon NAFTA, there could be no worse free trade agreement than the one Canada just negotiated. It is simple: the United States and Mexico had a game plan and we did not. According to Jean Simard, president and CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada, Mexico has become China's backyard. The Prime Minister has failed our workers.
Are there any solutions to help the industry export more of our Saguenay aluminum, the greenest in the world?
Jean Pagé December 11th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour one of the great sportscasters from back home. Jean Pagé passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, knowing that he had lived a good life.
He is one of many sports broadcasters from the Saguenay region. When he was quite young, in fact just 18, he had the chance to shine at the microphone. He began by covering the 1972 Quebec Games at Lac Clair in Saint-David-de-Falardeau. His passion for sports led him to cover 12 Olympic Games, host 17 seasons of La Soirée du hockey on Radio-Canada and helm 110%, one of the most popular television shows in Quebec.
His love for the audience, which he was not afraid to show in a professional manner every time he was on air, earned “Monsieur 110” eight MétroStar awards and two Gemini awards. He was awarded the National Assembly medal in recognition of his contribution to Quebec.
My colleagues and I would like to extend our most sincere condolences to his wife Brigitte and his entire family.
Mr. Pagé, thank you for all the wonderful moments on television.
International Trade December 10th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, once again the government has made major concessions in the new NAFTA.
First it was supply management, and now it is the aluminum industry's turn. This government knows full well that we produce the greenest aluminum in the world, but it just allowed Mexico to import cheaper, dirtier aluminum from China. Workers in my region have been hurt by additional tariffs.
How can the Prime Minister look workers in the eye and tell them he got a better agreement?
Forestry Industry December 9th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, seeing as this is my first time speaking in the House, I want to take this opportunity to thank the voters of Chicoutimi—Le Fjord for re-electing me. It is a privilege to represent them.
The Prime Minister went to another international summit and, as usual, there was another diplomatic incident. Meanwhile, our trade agreements and relations are paying the price, and our industries are suffering. While we wait for an agreement on softwood lumber to be signed, our forestry industry hangs in the balance.
How does the Prime Minister think his latest blunder will help our already struggling forestry industry?
Natural Resources June 18th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, under Bill C-69, all natural resource development in this country will grind to a halt. Even Quebec opposes this legislation. The Quebec environment minister has said the bill “perpetuates the duplication of environmental procedures” and “expands federal government control”.
Bill C-69 will put the brakes on electricity exports, which are an essential opportunity for Quebec's economy.
Why are the Liberals undermining Quebec's economic development?
Finance June 11th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, nearly half of Canadians are $200 or less away from financial insolvency. Many say they could work more, but it is not worth it. They say that every hour of overtime gets swallowed up by the government. The Liberals are running massive deficits, and those deficits will have to be paid off.
What is the plan for balancing the budget?
Finance June 11th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, Canada's central bank says wage growth is sluggish. The people of Chicoutimi—Le Fjord feel like the cost of living is rising faster than their wages. They cannot afford a tax hike. The government is certainly not setting a good example by racking up mountains of debt. Everyone knows that, in order to finance their out-of-control spending, the Liberals are going to raise taxes.
When will the Minister of Finance admit it?
Finance June 10th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, middle-class taxes have gone up by $800 per family. According to accounting firm MNP, nearly half of all Canadians are within $200 of not being able to pay their bills. Canadians cannot afford higher taxes to cover the Liberals' deficits.
Everyone knows the government will have to raise taxes. When will the Minister of Finance admit it?
Finance June 10th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives left behind a $7.5-billion surplus in fiscal year 2015-16. The Liberals are being irresponsible by burying generations under a massive deficit. They promised to balance the budget in 2019. That promise was broken, along with many others.
When will the Minister of Finance table his plan to balance the budget?