Xavier Barsalou-Duval

[La Ressource Convenience Store, November 28th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the convenience store La Ressource. Founded in 1974 by André Desroches, who also founded the Association des gens d’affaires de Boucherville, this family business has become a true institution in Boucherville.

La Ressource is much more than a simple corner store where people go to buy a quart of milk, a bag of chips or a case of beer. Over 25 years ago, in fact, these entrepreneurs were veritable pioneers when they made the switch to homegrown products from Quebec, in particular microbrewery beers. Entering the store is like entering Ali Baba's cave. There, patrons choose their beer the way they might sort through bottles at the SAQ. After some wise tips from their beerologist, they can chat with members of the family about the latest goings-on in the neighbourhood. Frédéric Desroches, part of the third generation at the helm of the family business, is every bit as involved and engaged in the community as his grandfather.

Congratulations to the family on their 50th anniversary, and long live La Ressource.

[Privilege, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for my colleague. Earlier, I heard him say how important it is to move away from coal and toward other types of energy. I found that very interesting. Not so long ago, when we were examining Bill C-33 in committee, I moved an amendment to the bill. This amendment sought to ban the export of thermal coal in order to help fight climate change. However, the member's Conservative colleagues voted against my amendment.

I would like to know whether the member will take his colleagues to task and tell them to change their minds.

[Privilege, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my Conservative colleague a question about the Liberal government's latest announcement. It has announced a temporary, two-month tax holiday on certain products, and it is proposing to send out $250 cheques to people earning $150,000 or less. I view this as sheer opportunism or cynicism. The government is handing out gifts to buy votes. There are well-worn tactics that have often been roundly condemned.

I would like to know what my colleague thinks about the fact that the government, which was already struggling to deal with its deficit and rein in its spending, is once again indulging in frivolous spending to curry public favour.

[Canada Revenue Agency, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, without whistle-blowers, we never would have known that the CRA had been robbed of $100 million. We never would have known that 62,000 taxpayers had had their personal information stolen or that the CRA has been aware of flaws in its security system for a year now. It was only when journalists began taking an interest in the problem that the minister took an interest in it too.

Instead of threatening the whistle-blowers, should she not be thanking them?

[Canada Revenue Agency, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, taxpayers have been robbed of over $100 million this year because of an epidemic of fraud at the Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA, but the last thing the Liberals want is for people to talk about it. On Wednesday, in committee, the Minister of National Revenue even threatened her own public servants with jail time if they continue to tell the media about the problems at the CRA. Her priority is not to go after tax cheats, but to go after journalists' sources.

Does the minister realize that the fraudsters are the ones who should be threatened with jail time, not journalists' sources or whistle-blowers?

[Committees of the House, November 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his speech that was full of passion and rhetoric. However, I would like to bring him back to the topic at hand.

My colleague is upset about the fact that we are just now debating the committee report from two years ago, but I am not sure whether he listened to the speech by my colleague from Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia.

In her speech, my colleague more or less said that, despite the fact that the report was adopted unanimously by all the parties and therefore by the government, most of the recommendations it contains have not yet been implemented.

Obviously, organizations such as PolyRemembers are getting anxious and wondering how this government, which claims to be there to protect women, is not doing what it should.

[Committees of the House, November 21st, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I just want to know if there is quorum in the House.

[Privilege, November 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like to ask if there is quorum in the House.

[International Trade, November 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, they are so independent that it was this Prime Minister who appointed them and, apparently, they are all good buddies. These two unelected individuals, Peter Boehm and Peter Harder, are working against the interests of our farmers. They are working against the will of elected officials from all parties who supported Bill C-282. They are working against our constituents. They are working against our democracy. The one person they are working for is Donald Trump. They are assuring Trump that he will still be able to demand concessions on supply management in the upcoming CUSMA negotiations.

What do we call two people who are working against their country's democracy, against their country's interests, and in favour of the interests of another country?

[International Trade, November 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, senators Peter Boehm and Peter Harder just stabbed our farmers in the back. They just amended Bill C‑282 to prevent it from protecting supply management in trade renegotiations. At the very moment that Donald Trump is saying that he wants to renegotiate CUSMA, these two senators are guaranteeing that supply management will be back on the table.

The Prime Minister appointed these two senators, his two buddies, and he is responsible for them. Will he personally ask the Senate to defeat their amendment?