COVID-19 Emergency Response  Mr. Speaker, the government House leader seems to be creating a narrative in which the Bloc Québécois wants an election and does not want to collaborate. The cultural sector has been hit hard by the pandemic. The House leader should listen to what his colleague, the member for Malpeque, said this week.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, yesterday, our colleague from Malpeque told us that Canadian taxpayers are not an ATM for Quebec. That raised a few eyebrows and made me think of something. The Speech from the Throne mentions the environment, but there is absolutely nothing on the forestry industry, not a single word.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague a quick question. Yesterday, the hon. member for Malpeque said that Canadian taxpayers were not Quebec’s ATM. That might raise eyebrows among those who know a thing or two about Canadian politics. I am thinking, for example, of the $17 billion invested to purchase a pipeline and of the $10 billion in subsidies to the automobile industry in 2008.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I am a bit curious. The Parti Québécois proposed an amendment to the throne speech. However, only the hon. member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie voted in favour of it. Like the NDP—

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, my apologies. This time, I will be more careful. In Québec, the NDP has the reputation of being a centralizing force. I would like to know why my colleague voted against the amendment proposed by the Bloc Québécois.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Chicoutimi—Le Fjord for his speech. I also listened to what he had to say earlier today, during question period, when he talked about funding for health care. That funding is a long-standing problem. I am a sovereignist. I make no apologies for that.

Proceedings on the bill entitled An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19  Mr. Speaker, for several days now, our Liberal friends have been emphasizing co-operation and accusing us of wanting to pick a fight. In my view, a good way to co-operate is to admit to being wrong or making mistakes. Why will the Liberal government not simply admit that it was wrong to prorogue Parliament and make Quebeckers and Canadians wait for six weeks?

Proceedings on the bill entitled An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19  Mr. Speaker, some may find it puzzling that debate needs to be limited because of the urgency of the situation, especially since Parliament was prorogued for six weeks. Before then, the Liberals did not believe the situation to be urgent. During a pandemic, we must apply a rather simple principle, the precautionary principle.

Peschisolido Report  Madam Speaker, my colleague's words left a bad taste in my mouth because I feel like I have to defend my Conservative colleagues. I find it a bit hypocritical to say that the motion we are debating today lacks seriousness and is a political game. Throughout his speech, my colleague talked about debates.

Peschisolido Report  Madam Speaker, it is hard to disagree with the member's motion, especially since the only thing a member has is their integrity. The parliamentary secretary pointed out earlier that this is a time when we should be focused on helping Canadians. The government is not helping Canadians by using the special powers it was given only to wind up in a situation like the WE Charity scandal.

Government Business No. 1  Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by congratulating my colleague from Louis-Saint-Laurent on his appointment as House leader. I also look forward to hearing from his party's new Quebec lieutenant, the member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, who is a very outspoken individual. I would like to ask my colleague what he thinks was the reason for the prorogation.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I just found out that I want to destroy Canada. I thought that I wanted to build Quebec, but I am being told that I want to destroy Canada. I would just like to inform my colleague of a basic principle. I used to teach political science, and the first thing I told my students was not to fall into what is known as begging the question or a circular argument.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, one thing struck me about my colleague's speech. With respect to the environment, he said that we are at a crossroads, and he hopes to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. If we are at a crossroads, we must act quickly and perhaps do some soul searching. During the pandemic, the Liberal government agreed to give $500 million to the Coastal GasLink project through the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I thank our colleague for his optimistic speech. Beyond good intentions, there is a reality. My colleague had a lot to say about a harmonious partnership with the provinces in the Speech from the Throne. The reality is that this is a missed opportunity. I think the government did not respond to the provincial premiers' clear message on health care funding, the infamous 35% that we may never see.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I appreciated the speech by my colleague, who, as we can see, is passionate about balancing the budget. Unfortunately, when it came time to balance its budget, the Canadian government far too often did so by cutting transfer payments to the provinces. That was the case in 1996 and in 1997, to the tune of $2.5 billion.