Border Crossings  Mr. Speaker, we constantly have to reassure our American neighbours that Canada has rigorous security measures in order to protect the economy and trade, and now the Conservative government has decided to close two border crossings, one in Franklin Centre and another in Jamieson's Line, both of which are in my riding, and to reduce the hours at three other crossings.

Agri-Food  Mr. Speaker, in April the Agri-Food Export Gala was held in Montreal as part of the international food trade show. During this event, Veg Pro International, a company in my riding, won the Canadian Export Business Award. Established in 1952, this family-run business in Sherrington employs more than 500 people annually and is a Quebec leader in market gardening.

Quebec Archaeological Museum  Mr. Speaker, it is with great enthusiasm and pride that I am highlighting yet another wonderful achievement in my riding. Opened almost 25 years ago, the Pointe-du-Buisson Archaeological Park, in Melocheville, has recently become the Musée québécois d'archéologie. This site, which welcomed the first researchers more than 40 years ago, was Quebec's first accredited archaeological field school.

Securities  Mr. Speaker, the cat is out of the bag. The Minister of Finance is counting on pressure from publicly traded companies to convince Quebec to join the Canada-wide securities commission. Voluntary approach, my foot. It is all a sham. Why does the federal government not admit that its real plan is to strip Quebec of its financial autonomy for Toronto's benefit?

Securities  Mr. Speaker, the federal proposal would eliminate the passport system. By cutting this system, the Conservative government is tying the hands of Quebec companies listed on the AMF and forcing them to make the jump to the Canada-wide commission, which would sideline the AMF and local authorities.

Members' Expenses  Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government was elected by promising more transparency. The Auditor General has asked for access to members' expenses to ensure that taxpayers' money is well managed, and now the Conservatives are dragging their feet. The Prime Minister must stop making excuses.

Members' Expenses  Mr. Speaker, the member knows very well that all Bloc members have agreed to have their expenses audited. By refusing to show leadership in this matter, the Prime Minister is confirming that transparency is fine for others, but not for him. The Auditor General simply wants to know if parliamentarians are using taxpayers' money properly.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, I was talking about the right of women in Canada, not women abroad, to have access to abortion. That was my question. Now we know what Senator Ruth meant when she told pro-choice women's groups to shut up. I guess the Conservative government's approach to the abortion issue is this: those who are for abortion, “shut your mouths”, and those who are against it, “keep up the good work”.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, the government claims it does not want to reopen the debate on abortion, but at every turn there is a Conservative MP raising the issue again and promising to introduce bills to call women's right to abortion into question. On Thursday, the hon. member for Peterborough promised to bring this issue before the Standing Committee on Health.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, the private detective says he has no evidence of any wrongdoing by the former minister for the status of women. However, the Prime Minister relied on the detective's testimony to dismiss the minister. He even called the police and the Ethics Commissioner. It remains a complete mystery.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, the detective says he never made the allegations reported by the Prime Minister's Office to the Ethics Commissioner. The “serious and credible allegations” the Prime Minister received about the former minister for the status of women came from another source. If the detective is not his source, then what “serious and credible allegations” did the Prime Minister rely on to dismiss his minister and who provided him with that information?

Community Resource Centre  Mr. Speaker, today I am very proud to pay tribute to the Carrefour du partage community resource centre, which was named the community voluntary organization of the year on May 1 at the 31st Salaberry-de-Valleyfield Chamber of Commerce gala. This honour is well deserved as Carrefour du partage is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the member for Lévis—Bellechasse asked me a question, which he then answered himself by citing the example of the European Union. The European Union brings together independent countries that negotiate and come to agreements. Nothing is stopping Quebec from becoming a country and an important player on the international scene, and collaborating with Canada and other countries.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I am a social worker by training and I quickly learned to speak for “me“. I am passionate, which does not mean that I feel that others are not passionate. At heart, the member is probably as passionate about the Canadian nation as I am about the Quebec nation. We have the right to be passionate about our countries.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to participate today in the debate on the opposition motion put forward by the Bloc Québécois. It is an exciting subject for me. I will take this opportunity to say that I will be sharing my time with the member for Vaudreuil-Soulanges who is, in my opinion, an example and symbol of Quebec democracy.