House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2015, with 28% of the vote.
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply October 7th, 2004
Madam Speaker, does the member who just spoke against the amendment to the amendment realize that it is designed to give concrete effect to the commitments the Prime Minister of Canada has made to the provinces and Quebec and act on a request from the Premier of Quebec? Does the member realize that voting against it means voting against the commitments made by the Prime Minister of Canada and the request from the Premier of Quebec? Does he realize that? Does he?
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply October 7th, 2004
Madam Speaker, I was a bit stunned by the last speech. The member used the term cooperation as in to cooperate to make proper use of the taxpayers' money. But is it being properly used when $45 billion is taken out of the EI fund and spent for purposes other than that for which it was originally intended?
Is the hon. member aware of the poverty that exists in his riding precisely because of the misuse of that money and other restrictive EI measures?
The hon. member talks about proper use of the taxpayers' money and cooperation. We will never fail to decry unfairness just to avoid hurting anyone's feelings. When the poorest of the poor in our society are eligible to a Guaranteed Income Supplement but do not get it because the money was spent on something else, there is reason to be upset.
And if that does not make the hon. member for Brome—Missisquoi upset, then I would worry about his constituents in dire straits, like those I just referred to.
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply October 7th, 2004
Madam Speaker, would you be kind enough to tell me if I am limited to one question or if I can also express an opinion?
Employment Insurance October 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, on the same topic, the government has plundered the EI fund to the tune of $45 billion for purposes known only to it. And it continues to do so. The employment insurance program has become a disguised tax instead of insurance for those who lose their jobs.
Why did the government not commit, in its throne speech, to put an end to such shameless robbery by creating an independent employment insurance fund truly designed to help the unemployed?
Employment Insurance October 6th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, in the Speech from the Throne, the government made a commitment to continue, and I quote, “to review the employment insurance program to ensure that it remains well-suited to the needs of Canada’s workforce”. To hear this from the government is surprising.
How can the Prime Minister write such a thing when the citizens of all regions of Quebec keep repeating that the current EI system does not work?