House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 29% of the vote.
Aerospace Industry February 5th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, forestry is not the only sector in trouble. Bombardier, the aerospace giant, has announced 710 layoffs in Montreal alone. Once again, Quebec is taking the hit.
Does the Prime Minister not believe that refundable research and development tax credits would be more advantageous to businesses than more lax regulations for tax havens?
Forestry Industry February 5th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is ducking the issue and refuses to rein in his Minister of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec) who is spreading falsehoods by saying that granting loan guarantees to forestry companies would violate the softwood lumber agreement.
Can the Prime Minister set his minister straight concerning this economic matter and confirm that loan guarantees are completely legal under the softwood lumber agreement?
Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act February 4th, 2009
Madam Speaker, Bill C-4 does not include a classification system. The framework is permissive and flexible, allowing organizations to choose how to apply the relevant provisions.
Does the minister consider the lack of a general classification system to be a flaw?
Forestry Industry February 4th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, last week we witnessed a sorry sight. The member for Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean professed to one and all that the government's hands were tied by the softwood lumber agreement, preventing it from supporting the forestry industry. The member raised the ire of the industry and also of forestry workers in his riding who cannot believe his lack of commitment.
What citizens need to know is that the government does have the right and the ability to take action, for example, by providing loan guarantees to the forestry industry, a measure proposed by the Bloc Québécois a long time ago.
Faced with the forestry crisis that has deeply affected his riding, Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean,and all of Quebec, the member for Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean preferred once more to ignore it. He has abandoned the workers and families that he had promised to help, choosing instead to spout his party's ideology.
Industry January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the auto sector will receive the lion's share of federal assistance for the manufacturing sector. The government should have imposed conditions, particularly that assistance be used to develop products that are fuel efficient and that contracts not be outsourced abroad.
Does the Minister of Industry intend to remedy the situation and require such conditions?
Industry January 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, let us look at the facts. The automobile sector, mainly concentrated in Ontario, is receiving $2.7 billion and southern Ontario gets another billion dollars. In the same budget, there is only $170 million over two years for the forestry sector across Canada, including Quebec. With the communities fund, it is Alberta that benefits to the detriment of Quebec.
Will the Minister of Industry admit that, for electoral gain, his government decided, in its budget, to favour Ontario and the west over Quebec?
The Economy December 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance continues to question the urgency of announcing measures to support the manufacturing and forestry industries. Yet the Bloc Québécois and industry stakeholders have been calling on him for over a year to act aggressively to help these sectors, which have been declining since 2005 according to the government's own documents.
Is the minister aware that by denying reality in the name of his laissez-faire ideology, he no longer has any credibility when he talks about the economy?
The Economy December 1st, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance continues to question—
The Economy November 27th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the recovery plan proposed by the Bloc Québécois can make the difference between an economic recovery and a deep recession. The Bloc’s proposals would help to improve productivity, increase innovation in the manufacturing sector, and boost construction.
What is the Prime Minister waiting for to help the victims of the crisis, help our companies and stimulate the economy?
The Economy November 27th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, instead of manufacturing a democratic crisis, the Prime Minister would be well advised to do something about the economic crisis. The Bloc Québécois has proposed measures to help the unemployed, older workers, seniors, young people and families.
Will the Prime Minister quit trying to distract us, assume his responsibilities, and introduce a recovery plan incorporating the Bloc’s proposals?