Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ladies and gentlemen members of Parliament, Mr. Chairman, thank you for welcoming us here today. For two years, Quebecor Media has been trying by every means at its disposal to alert all those concerned, whether they be politicians, public servants, regulatory authorities or television industry stakeholders, to the consequences of the radical changes that the digital revolution is causing to the Canadian audiovisual landscape.

Canada Transportation Act  Since the Senate members did not even make the effort to meet with these people, I would like to quote an excerpt from the testimony of Mr. Jean-Pierre Bazinet, president of the Chute-de-la-Chaudière sector in Lévis. If people take the time to re-read the discussions, they will see what the concerns of the City of Lévis were. As part of its activities, Canadian National operates a switching yard within the boundaries of Charny and Saint-Jean-Chrysostome.

Extension of Sitting Hours  Mr. Speaker, we have before us a motion which asks, pursuant to Standing Order 27(1), that commencing on Wednesday June 13, 2007, and concluding on Thursday June 21, 2007, the House shall continue to sit until 10 p.m. The Bloc Québécois will support this motion because we are determined to see Bill C-52, the budget implementation bill, passed before we adjourn for the summer.

Canadian Heritage committee  So don't tell me that private television isn't receiving public money. That's an unmitigated lie. In addition, the broadcasting rights for subsidized productions should belong to the institutions that provide the subsidies and assume the marketing risks, that is the grant funds and the general-interest public broadcasters.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure of taking part in the debate on the motion tabled by the leader of the Bloc Québécois, which reads as follows: That this House recognize that Quebeckers form a nation. I do not have any difficulty in recognizing that Quebeckers constitute a nation within a united Canada.

Income Tax Amendments Act, 2006  Mr. Speaker, to begin with, I would like to congratulate my colleague from Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup. His presentation was extremely clear. I will probably have the opportunity, in my own presentation, to substantiate even more what he just said. As he pointed out, the Bloc Québécois is in favour of Bill C-33, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act, including amendments in relation to foreign investment entities and non-resident trusts, and to provide for the bijural expression of the provisions of that Act.

Bank Act  I am very pleased to participate in this debate. It might seem very technical, but it is extremely important, especially for consumers and all of our fellow citizens. We do business with financial institutions every day, especially with banks and near banks. Although these are private enterprises, they are for all intents and purposes public services.

Transport committee  I want to read you a summary that will be provided to you, if you so wish. My name is Jean-Pierre Bazinet and I am a municipal councillor for the City of Levis. I am also president, Chutes-la-Chaudière East Sector, which includes the neighbourhood of Charny, Breakeyville, Saint-Jean-Chrysostome and Saint-Romuald.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take part in this debate on Bill C-26, an act to amend the Criminal code (criminal interest rate), proposed by the Minister of Justice. This bill, which may appear minor and generous, is in fact a good illustration—despite the promises made by the Conservative Party during the election—of the fact that they are once again taking a back-door approach to a very important matter, trying to have veto power over decisions that come under provincial jurisdiction, particularly Quebec.

Public Safety committee  I'm the National President of the Customs Excise Union Douanes Accise, our CEUDA. With me today is CEUDA's National Vice-President, Mr. Jean-Pierre Fortin. We are both employed as border officers for the Canada Border Services Agency and we have a combined 52 years of experience working for border services. We are pleased to be back here as you focus on issues surrounding the government's decision to provide training and equipment to arm Canada Border Services officers.

Property Rights  So, if we want to get a good grasp of the situation, it must be said that the federal government has the power to restrict the property rights of Quebeckers and Canadians, of course, and even deny them those rights or decrease the value of their property. This is a possibility. All too often, the rules on compensation lack a proper legislative framework.

Property Rights  Mr. Speaker, I want to address the entirely and deliberately specious aspect of the Liberal argument on this issue. The Liberals argue that this motion, which protects private property in a way that is done in most civilized nations of the earth, would somehow inhibit the government's ability to recover stolen property.

Civil Marriage Act  It has consistently violated property rights and has put the rights of criminals ahead of those of law abiding gun owners. The Liberal government has ignored the equality rights of members of minority religious groups in education in the province of Ontario even after international tribunals have demanded action.

Public Health Agency of Canada Act  We would have liked it to provide for advance notice and compensation mechanisms when people are deprived from their right to go to work. Nevertheless, essentially, we did not challenge the fact that the federal government was solidly rooted in its jurisdiction. With regard to the patent issue, the whole issue of intellectual property is an extremely important consideration.

Emergency Management Act  Mr. Speaker, the bill before us is Bill C-12, An Act to provide for emergency management and to amend and repeal certain Acts. Obviously, we have no problem with the basic principle that the federal government can take action to respond to emergencies. That said, it is extremely important that the federal government understand that the provinces, particularly Quebec, have already prepared emergency response plans.