House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 37% of the vote.
Combating Terrorism Act October 17th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I warmly applaud the speech by our colleague from Châteauguay—Saint-Constant. Since 2006, we have seen many things being gutted, including environmental legislation, social rights, workers' rights and some constitutional rights. I would like to hear my colleague talk a little more about that. In his view, how does this bill go even further in denying our constituents' civil and constitutional rights?
Combating Terrorism Act October 17th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Abitibi—Témiscamingue for her presentation.
The points she raised are essential to this debate, primarily with regard to international law and human rights. Having taken part in a number of international debates for more than 25 years, I would appreciate it if she would elaborate on this issue in light of human rights and if she would tell us how the bill is going to affect these concerns.
International Trade October 15th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, a $2 billion increase in the price of generic drugs is not in the best interest of Canadians, and that is what we are opposing.
According to a report published by Industry Canada and Health Canada officials, seniors and the sick will be the ones footing the bill if the government goes forward with the free trade agreement with the European Union as it now stands.
Will the Conservatives protect Canadians' interests and refuse to sign any trade agreement that will increase drug prices?
International Trade October 2nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I am smiling because the day that this government is capable of negotiating an agreement in the interests of all Canadians is the day we will vote in its favour.
Disputes under this new agreement will be settled in secret, unless the parties to the agreement decide otherwise. For example, if Nexen is bought by a Chinese state-owned enterprise, we will never know if it is trying to eliminate an environmental measure.
Why did this government give up transparent arbitration? What are we getting in return for this irresponsible measure?
International Co-operation October 1st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, education is the signature project in Afghanistan, but the government is reneging on it. The fact of the matter is that the minister had an option to renew the funding but chose not to.
I have a simple question. Why are the Conservatives abandoning what was supposed to be Canada's legacy in Afghanistan?
International Co-operation October 1st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, development is about being there for the long haul, not paying lip service to talking points.
Education--
International Co-operation October 1st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we can all agree that dysfunctional diplomatic relations are just one example of the Conservatives' mismanagement on the world stage.
Aid to the poorest countries in the world is another example. Now the Conservatives are cutting funding to a school in Kandahar, Afghanistan. For the past five years, women have been risking their lives to attend their classes and at the last minute, the United States had to step in to save the school.
Why are the Conservatives turning their backs on female students in Afghanistan?
Food Prices in the North October 1st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of representing one of the largest ridings in Canada, which means that I have a number of communities to visit.
The summer months gave me the chance to visit many of those communities in Nunavik, Eeyou Istchee, hearing their concerns first-hand. In every community I visited, the one issue raised over and over again was the price of food and the cost of living in the north. Citizens of Canada's north have seen their food prices rise tremendously since the Conservative government cancelled the food mail program without any regional consultations.
In response, over 20,000 people have joined the Feeding My Family Facebook page and northerners have held protests across the country.
And yet how did the government respond? With indifference, Mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister visited the north, but he ignored this problem, and the Minister of Health seems to be ignoring the issue as well.
We New Democrats believe that the north cannot reach its full potential until those who live there can get access to affordable quality food. It is time for the Conservatives to take this issue seriously and act in the best interests of northern Canadians.
Business of Supply October 1st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles for her work on this.
I would like more examples of the impact this bill will have on seasonal workers in particular. I come from the second-largest riding in Canada. There is a lot of seasonal work in forestry, agriculture, the tourism industry and so forth.
What is her party going to do differently?
International Cooperation September 19th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, given the F-35 fiasco he served up, my guess is that the minister does not understand the numbers.
Most of the countries that have been cut by the Conservatives are in the bottom 25% of the UN human development index. These cuts hurt the people most in need around the world. We must do our share in the world.
Will the minister acknowledge that the government is cutting aid to some of the poorest nations in the country? Is that what he means by being selective?