Xavier Barsalou-Duval

[Business of Supply, January 28th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, my question is about the government that recently instituted new transitional standards that seem pretty bogus to me. There are no meaningful measures here; this is just a smokescreen to hide the fact that the government is not really doing anything and does not really care about public safety.

Some 45% of Quebeckers get their water from the St. Lawrence. The proposed energy east pipeline will cross more than 150 rivers. The commissioner of the environment and sustainable development correctly pointed out that the National Energy Board was not conducting the necessary infrastructure audits. One wonders if there is much of a difference between the Conservatives, who make no secret of their support for the pipeline, and the Liberals, who give us bogus measures that suggest they might support pipelines after all.

I would just like to know how the government plans to really win Quebeckers' trust on this issue.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, January 27th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, during his speech, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, who is also the member for La Prairie, talked about how proud he is that the Canadian Railway Museum is in his riding.

The Canadian Railway Museum should probably add a new exhibit, given the accident that occurred in Lac-Mégantic a few years ago.

I would like to know whether the government intends to eliminate the use of the DOT-111 cars, the infamous bombs on wheels, increase the number of inspections, and improve rail safety. If so, who will pay for all of this, taxpayers or the railway companies?

[National Day for the Independence of the People of Quebec, December 11th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce to the House that this Sunday, December 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., hundreds of Quebeckers from every part of the province will come together to participate in the national day for the independence of the people of Quebec.

As the Prime Minister said on Wednesday, the people of Quebec were not consulted when the Constitution was patriated in 1982. Ever since, Quebec has been governed by laws to which it never consented.

I would like to remind him that Quebec is entitled to self-determination, just like any other people. Quebec independence would be economically beneficial to our nation. That is what we will be explaining to Quebeckers on Sunday.

I would also like to take this opportunity to invite all of the distinguished members of the House to join us if they would like to participate.

[Taxation, December 9th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, on February 20, the Prime Minister promised the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal that a Liberal government would immediately reinstate the tax credits for labour-sponsored funds in full. He kept saying that throughout the campaign.

Quebeckers really value these funds as tools that promote economic development and savings. Even though the Minister of Finance has a mandate to restore the tax credits, he is dodging the issue by saying that he wants to hold consultations.

The minister has a mandate to do this. When will he do it?

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, December 8th, 2015]

Madam Speaker, during the throne speech, the government mentioned that it wants to help students pursuing a post-secondary education.

Given that post-secondary education, and education in general, is a provincial jurisdiction, how does the federal government plan to do that without encroaching on Quebec's jurisdictions? Does it plan, for example, to transfer money directly to the Quebec government?