Employment Insurance  Mr. Speaker, the government still has its head in the sand when it comes to problems with employment insurance. We are in the middle of a full-blown crisis, and more and more people are becoming self-employed because there is a shortage of regular paying jobs. On page 13 of the Conservatives' last election platform, they promised to let self-employed workers participate in the employment insurance program.

Service Canada  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleagues from Toronto Centre, Sudbury and Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher for having supported and improved my motion to offer full passport services at all Service Canada offices. We know that this issue affects every riding in every corner of our great country.

Employment Insurance  Mr. Speaker, the number of people unemployed is rising, eligibility criteria remain the same and more and more families find themselves in a very precarious financial situation. Does the minister realize that her refusal to adopt a single eligibility criterion for all of Canada means that an increasing number of individuals will have to rely on social assistance?

Employment Insurance  Mr. Speaker, the minister just does not want to understand. A person who is ineligible for employment insurance is very likely to need financial assistance until a new job becomes available. Applications for social assistance are on the rise and the provinces will have to shoulder the growing costs of social programs.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, the Bank of Canada has just released a scathing report on our country's economic situation. The crisis is not going to go away as quickly as the Conservatives claim in their hands-off policy. Thousands of jobs continue to disappear across Canada. The situation in Quebec is disastrous.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, the minister really does not understand the question. It will take more than empty rhetoric to deal with a crisis as serious as the one we are going through. QIT Fer et Titane, a company that the Sorel region is heavily dependent on, has just announced that 1,800 jobs will be suspended on July 12.

Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec  Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by congratulating my colleague from Sherbrooke on introducing this motion, which calls for support for non-profit bodies. It is crucial to reinstate funding for these bodies, as they play a pivotal role in economic development in Quebec. Since the Conservatives came to power in 2006, funding for non-profit organizations and for CED in general has decreased steadily.

Questions Passed as Orders for Return  With regard to the $212 million dedicated to the Champlain Bridge, in the Montreal region, in Budget 2009: (a) does the government have a long term plan to spend the money, (i) if so, what is the full breakdown per year for the dispersal of funding and to what projects on the bridge they are being spent with a timeline for completion, (ii) if no, does the government intend to consult with local municipalities being directly affected by the deteriorating condition and safety concerns of the bridge while developing a comprehensive rehabilitation plan; (b) is the money slated to extend the life expectancy of the bridge and, if so, by how long; (c) will the money be spent on structural rehabilitation repairs such as the reconstruction of major support devises or for cosmetic repairs such as paint and resurfacing; (d) how does the government plan to rehabilitate the bridge while allowing normal traffic volume to proceed in both directions, especially during peak hours; and (e) is any component of a light rail system being developed under this funding?

Forestry Industry  Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have abandoned the forestry industry. Since they came to power, $1.6 billion set aside by the former Liberal government for the industry has disappeared because of their grandstanding. When will the government take action in the interest of the thousands of people who have lost their jobs?

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  Regarding requests for financial assistance made to the Economic Development Agency of Canada for Quebec Regions for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 financial years, by regional office, how many requests were approved and how many were rejected when submitted for the authorization of (i) the Regional Director, (ii) the General Director for Regional Coordination, (iii) the Vice-President for Operations, (iv) the President, (v) the Minister?

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, my colleague does not seem to take this news very seriously. Will he have just as glib a reply for the 145 employees at the Norampac plant in Quebec City, which will be closing permanently, as Cascades announced yesterday? And how will he reassure the 210 workers at wind turbine parts manufacturer GURIT in Magog who are also being laid off?

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, another week is drawing to a close, and it was a very bad week for many workers in Quebec. In Beauce, more than 650 jobs disappeared in the past week. In Saint-Félicien, in the riding of the regional economic development minister, SFK Pâte laid off 225 employees.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, I would just like to remind my colleague that the softwood lumber agreement has not yet resolved anything. The matter is still before the courts. Quebec and Ontario are now subject to a productivity surtax. I should also point out that what the industry wants now is help with innovation and exporting, but they are not getting that kind of help.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, I rise here in the House again this evening because I would really like to understand why, after more than three years of this Conservative government, Canadians have seen the loss of over 20,000 jobs in the forestry sector. Small communities in Quebec, Atlantic Canada, Ontario and British Columbia have been hit the hardest.

Forestry Industry  Mr. Speaker, it appears that AbitibiBowater will not be able to reach a restructuring agreement. It also appears that this global forestry giant is headed for bankruptcy. Will the Conservatives admit that the forestry industry is in crisis and that a clear strategy to support AbitibiBowater and the entire forestry industry is urgently needed?