House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 23% of the vote.
Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act March 25th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I think that my colleague, who knows this issue like the back of his hand, will be able to answer my question.
An NDP member mentioned why the Liberals, supported by the Conservatives, have re-opened the Pandora's box that is the free trade agreement with Colombia.
Is it possible that these two parties in the House support the mine owners and lobbyists who have specific interest in Colombia and that that is why they want to sign this treaty and enter into free trade with Colombia?
Shipbuilding Industry March 12th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, Quebec's shipbuilding industry is going through tough times. Last month, almost 1,600 workers were laid off in Lévis. Quebec's industry has to compete with foreign builders who have better support from their government. In the face of uncertainty, workers have started leaving the industry. The loss of skilled labour is the greatest threat to the industry.
Why does the government refuse to implement a real support policy for the shipbuilding industry?
THE BUDGET March 9th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I did not ask the member opposite to give a speech and I did not ask him to continue talking about the existing plan. I asked him what he intends to do for seniors and volunteers, but he is still going on about his action plan and is not answering my question.
Yet the questions we are asking him are clear. If he would like to give another 10 or 20 minute speech, he merely has to add his name to the list.
THE BUDGET March 9th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I listened to the member. He is wasting his breath and he does not know what he is talking about when he says that he wants to help those most in need. In my opinion, seniors do need a bit of money from the government. These people are living below the poverty line. What did the Conservatives do in their budget? They gave seniors a holiday. But seniors do not want a holiday, they want some money. There was talk of $110 more per month, but they did absolutely nothing.
Moreover, they say they want to help volunteers and caregivers who look after a relative at home, resulting in savings to society, but they are offering a prime ministerial award for volunteerism. As if that will help people.
When they want to help, they are good at helping those they wish to help. They excel at helping the oil sands industry. However, they talk about a blueprint for society. I do not know where they dug up that term, but I think they do not even understand it.
What does the government plan on doing in future for seniors and the volunteers in our society who are in great need of help?
Textile Industry December 8th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Quebec textile industry needs some assistance in order to enhance its competitiveness and develop new markets. The CANtex program helped meet those needs. However, the CANtex budget envelope for 2009 is empty.
Does the government plan to inject new funds into the CANtex program, or into another program, in order to meet the specific needs of the textile industry?
Resumption and Continuation of Railway Operations November 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I heard the hon. member repeatedly mention the national interest. I believe that this is a matter we should not become involved in.
Every corporation has the right to negotiate as it sees fit. CN is a private corporation. The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2008, almost a year ago. They have not yet been able to come to an agreement or to resolve their differences and sign a collective agreement. I imagine that this may be because of the bad faith of the employer who, once again, is protected by the government. When parties to an agreement are unable to find common ground, the government is told that it is a matter of national interest. As for the anti-scab legislation, successive governments have said that it was not necessary.
CN has every means at its disposal to continue operating. Therefore, I would like my colleague to tell us what good reasons he has to have the House resolve this dispute with a bill or other measure. It is important to say that if private corporations negotiate in good faith with their workers, results will be achieved. I would like to hear what my colleague has to say about that.
Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act November 17th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Berthier—Maskinongé for his speech. I understand he was a member of the committee that went to Colombia to study the free trade arrangement between Colombia and Canada.
I would like him to tell me about the frustration he felt when the government ignored every one of the committee’s recommendations. In addition, the government signed the free trade agreement between Canada and Colombia before it had even received the report.
Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act November 17th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, earlier, a Liberal member who supports this bill said that the Colombian House of Representatives wanted us to sign this agreement because it would further protect human rights.
We know that 30 members of congress have been arrested in Colombia, including members of the president's immediate family. Furthermore, 60% of them are under investigation.
Why imply that this agreement will further protect human rights when we know what is actually going on? I would like to know what my colleague thinks.
Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act November 17th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we have become accustomed to seeing the Conservative government show a total lack of respect for democratic institutions: sabotage of committee work on orders from the PMO, obsessive control of information to the point of restricting access to it, and refusal to implement resolutions passed by the House of Commons. In the case of the free trade agreement with Colombia, the government took contempt to a whole new level. It conducted broad consultations and even went to Colombia.
But the government decided to enter into this agreement before the committee had even completed its work. Its message to parliamentarians is that no matter what they think or say, it will do as it pleases. And we see that today. It is saying the same thing to the many witnesses who came to share with us their comments on this agreement. We cannot condone such contempt and such stubbornness.
How can we trust the Conservative government to ensure respect for human rights in Colombia when it has no respect for our democratic institutions?
I would like my colleague from Saint-Lambert to comment on that.
Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act November 17th, 2009
Madam Speaker, I am not at all convinced of my colleague's credibility when he stands up for the Colombian congress. He should come and say that to one of my fellow citizens, Liana Pabon, whose father, mother and brother were killed in their house because they refused to move out.
This member is unable to understand that human rights are violated everywhere on the planet and especially in Colombia and that we denounce the fact that these people have no rights. How can one give any credence to the congress's claim that a free trade agreement will make things better? I do not believe that claim.
Therefore, it is important to understand that the government is willingly turning a blind eye. The only thing it wants to protect are the interests of mining companies.