Ruth Ellen Brosseau

[The Environment, May 31st, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is a good place to live, with its natural beauty, diversified economy and vibrant communities.

Climate change threatens everything we hold dear. There are forest fires out west and floods in Ottawa and Quebec. The Liberals are missing in action when it comes to addressing climate change.

The NDP will take action. Our plan clearly charts the way forward to ensure that people and the environment both win.

My question is very simple. Why did the Liberals let the major polluters off the hook, and why did they not seize the opportunity to protect our environment?

[Status of Women, May 30th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, the U.S. vice-president is here today to talk to the Prime Minister about the terms for ratifying the new NAFTA. The Prime Minister wants to ratify the agreement quickly, without debate.

That is almost as shameful as Mike Pence's position on a woman's right to choose. Unlike trade agreements, a woman's right to bodily autonomy is non-negotiable, but it is not enough to raise the issue with the vice-president.

Will the Prime Minister commit to ensuring that women across Canada have access to safe, accessible health care services?

[International Trade, May 30th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, workers are critical of the Liberal government, which is in a rush to ratify NAFTA at any cost. This trade agreement is bad for our farmers, consumers, workers, and the environment. The consequences of this agreement could be disastrous.

Can the Liberals use some common sense and improve this agreement instead of giving in to Donald Trump?

[Petitions, May 30th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, today I have the pleasure of presenting a really important petition that should interest every member of the House of Commons.

We want to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. This petition was started by the Elizabeth Fry Society and has been signed by thousands of people. There is a loophole in the federal system. Because of this loophole, some children in need are missing out on family allowances and other federal benefits.

I hope the government will pay attention to this petition I am presenting in the House. I also want to take a moment to thank the member for New Westminster—Burnaby for the important work he is doing with the Elizabeth Fry Society. He presents petitions on this issue every day.

I hope the government will listen to everyone who signed this petition and act swiftly to help Canada's most vulnerable children.

[International Trade, May 28th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's cheese market is slumping as European cheeses flood in. CETA is not benefiting major players, and it is certainly not benefiting small producers in Quebec.

Domaine féodal, a cheese factory in Berthierville, is not even operating at 50% of its capacity. Guy and Lise are doing everything they can to protect their company and employees in the wake of the trade deals signed by the Liberals.

I am making a heartfelt plea today. Does the government have a plan for protecting Quebec's artisanal cheese producers?

[International Trade, May 27th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, because of the breaches in our supply management system, farmers are once again the ones who will lose out under the new NAFTA.

South of the border, Democrats are working hard to improve the terms of the agreement. They want to protect workers, keep drug prices down and protect our environment, which are common sense objectives.

Instead of rushing to get this deal through, why are the Liberals not doing the same thing as the Democrats, that is, working to improve NAFTA and fill in all the gaps?

[Business of the House, May 15th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and if you seek it, I think you would find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, at the conclusion of today's debate on the opposition motion in the name of the Member for Burnaby South, all questions necessary to dispose of the motion be deemed put and a recorded division deemed requested and deferred to Thursday, May 16, 2019, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions; and that, the recorded division on the motion for second reading of Bill C-266, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (increasing parole ineligibility) standing in the name of the Member for Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, currently scheduled today, immediately before the time provided for Private Members' Business, be further deferred until the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions on Thursday, May 16, 2019, immediately after the opposition motion is disposed of.

[The Environment, May 15th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers want to have a government with a real strategy to tackle climate change.

By asking the government to declare a climate emergency, the NDP is calling on the Liberal government to not proceed with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, to say no to the energy east project, to immediately eliminate all federal fossil fuel subsidies and to increase the scope of the government's greenhouse gas reduction targets.

In view of the climate emergency, will the Prime Minister commit to giving the green light to ensure that Liberal members support our motion?

[Public Safety, May 14th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, there is a reason why the NDP is calling on the Prime Minister to declare a climate and environmental emergency. We are still waiting for the Liberal government's plan, which, to date, has involved purchasing an old pipeline and continuing to subsidize fossil fuels.

People in Berthier—Maskinongé and other areas of Quebec have been hard hit by the recent flooding. Because of climate change, extreme natural disasters will become increasingly common. We still need the Canadian army.

Can the federal government confirm that soldiers will remain in place to help seniors and other residents clean up and remove the sandbags?

[Rural Economic Development, May 10th, 2019]

Madam Speaker, high speed Internet has become essential for SMEs, producers and families in all regions like Berthier—Maskinongé. Nevertheless, people from Lavaltrie all the way to Saint-Mathieu-Du-Parc do not have affordable, reliable Internet access, which is completely unacceptable in 2019.

This is an urgent issue, and the Liberals have absolutely no plan to overcome this digital divide. A New Democrat government will do everything it can to fix this problem and stand up for people in the regions.

My question is very simple. When can we expect a digital strategy to connect Quebeckers and Canadians?