House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2019, with 50% of the vote.
Committees of the House November 29th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, entitled “Recruitment, Intake and Integration: What does the Future Hold for Immigration to Official Language Minority Communities?”
Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
Demolition Festival November 26th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome a dynamic team of young volunteers who have made the trip to Parliament Hill today, despite the inclement weather. Nothing can stop this group, which has created a major, exciting recreational event and tourist attraction in Bellechasse.
For its fifth edition, the now famous Festival des Barres-à-Jack in Saint-Raphaël drew over 10,000 people this summer. On a site that has received environmental approval to host demolition derbies, the Barres-à-Jack team breaks new ground every year with exciting races in which the participants spend hours perfecting their machines. From the combine race to the now famous hearse derby, they will stop at nothing to provide one-of-a-kind entertainment, and this year was no different. From having participated myself, I can truly say it was an exciting experience.
As they share their passion with the rest of Canada today, I believe they are perfect role models for how people can become involved in their communities. Congratulations to the Barres-à-Jack team and thank you for volunteering at such a unique and popular event.
Interparliamentary Delegations November 24th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian parliamentary delegation respecting its participation in the ninth Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region, held from September 13 to 15, 2010, in Brussels, Belgium.
Afghanistan November 24th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, a number of families in Valcartier with loved ones in Afghanistan have been the victims of a disturbing incident. During the night, heartless pranksters told them that their loved ones had been killed in Afghanistan. Such calls are despicable and, understandably, have caused these families deep dismay and needless worry and anxiety.
Can the Minister of National Defence tell us what he will do about these heartless pranksters and how people who believe that tragic accidents are something to joke about will be dealt with?
Constitution Act, 2010 (Senate Term Limits) November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, thank you for giving me the floor. I understand that the member for Joliette may not share my point of view. I respect the member for Joliette and his opinion. Regardless of parliamentary immunity, I expect all members of the House to show respect for one another both inside and outside the House. I am therefore rising on a point of order. I ask the member for Joliette to show respect for the members of the House as he engages in this debate.
Constitution Act, 2010 (Senate Term Limits) November 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, this week we saw how useful the Senate is when it prevented the passage of a bill that was rammed through the House, a real example of foolishness that would have had disastrous consequences for the Canadian economy and also for Quebec.
My question for the member from Joliette is quite simple. We know that the Constitution has reserved a number of seats in the Senate for Quebec. Why does he wish to weaken the position of Quebec within federal institutions—we know that he wants to destroy the country—given that the Senate is a place where Quebec has security in terms of seats and entitlements?
Why does he wish to maintain the anti-democratic nature of the upper chamber? He has the opportunity, as a democrat, to call for an elected Senate. He has an opportunity to do something for Quebec. What is he waiting for to do something concrete for Quebec?
Member for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin November 18th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, while he was public safety minister in Quebec, the member for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin brought in legislation to force police officers to report misconduct by their fellow officers. Yet 14 years later, when he cross-examined former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney before a parliamentary committee, here in Ottawa, the member said:
What intrigues me is that it took you so long to realize that you had made such an error in judgment.
To get to the bottom of this error in judgment by the member for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, we will be presenting a motion on Monday, in the ethics committee, to give him the opportunity to come explain himself in full transparency.
Business of Supply November 18th, 2010
Madam Speaker, the government's commitment to go ahead with the purchase of 65 F-35s will help create thousands of high quality jobs and generate investment of billions of dollars in our manufacturing sector at a critical time for our economy, now and in the future.
That is according to Gilles Labbé, from Héroux-Devtek, a Quebec aerospace company. Pratt & Whitney said the same thing, as did Marc Parent, from AIAC. Quebec's aerospace industry leaders are telling us that this project is a windfall for Quebec's aerospace sector.
What will the hon. member from Montreal say to Quebec companies that are working so hard on this project that is so very important to Canada as a whole? What will he say to these companies and workers who will be denied these economic spinoffs because of an irresponsible approach that compromises our security? We would not know what to do without planes. What does he have to say to our workers as an elected member from Montreal? Why is he abandoning Quebec's aerospace industry?
Member for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin November 17th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, when the Bloc member for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin was Quebec's justice minister, he used his own Law 86 to force police to report illegal activities. Apparently this principle did not apply to him for 17 years. His irresponsible and reckless behaviour clearly makes him unfit to carry out his duties as justice critic.
Now that the Bloc leader has returned from his European vacation on a salary paid by Canadian taxpayers, will he force the member to resign immediately, and can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and to the Minister of National Revenue tell us what our government is doing to fight corruption?
Ethics November 16th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, as we learned yesterday evening, the current Bloc Québécois justice critic said that in 1993, he was given an envelope containing $10,000 in cash. Instead of going straight to the police, the hon. member instead chose to keep mum for 17 years. Such heedlessness makes him an unsuitable justice critic. The leader of the Bloc Québécois should demand his resignation immediately.
In the meantime, could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and to the Minister of National Revenue remind the Bloc leader and the hon. member of the rules we put in place to reform political party financing?