Parliamentary Speeches
680 speeches by Claude DeBellefeuille — Page 10 of 14
Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I would like you to inform the parliamentarians of the House about the rules around wearing the mandatory approved headset to speak in the House and in committee. I have before me a note that says that all parliamentarians must use the Jabra Evolve2 40 headset when participating by video conference in parliamentary proceedings and other meetings. Mr. Speaker, can you tell the House wh…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I would like to add a question, because the Chair's response will help clarify this issue. Each member will be better informed of the need to wear the proper equipment to speak. At the same time, the response will inform us of the mechanism put in place by the House to verify that the proper equipment is being worn. I just want to clarify my request, and I hope that the Chair will pro…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the previous vote, and we will vote in favour of the motion.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to the question of privilege raised on Wednesday, February 8 by the hon. member for Regina—Qu'Appelle concerning freedom from obstruction and technical difficulties related to the interpretation service and to the comments made by the member for Mégantic—L'Érable, which dealt more specifically with technical difficulties in parliamentary committee work. The Bloc …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, we knew that New York was paying for bus tickets to Plattsburgh for asylum seekers making their way to Roxham Road. Today, however, CBC/Radio-Canada revealed that, once they get there, U.S. border patrol agents are personally bringing those asylum seekers to Roxham Road. Some U.S. border patrol agents have even turned this into a black market enterprise. The Americans are thumbing t…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, Canada must respect its obligations to asylum seekers, but it does not have to do the Americans' job for them. When talking about traffickers at Roxham Road, who would have ever believed we would be referring to U.S. customs officers. It is illegal to exploit asylum seekers. It is illegal to help people make an irregular border crossing. Can the Minister of Public Safety pick up the…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today marks the halfway point of Quebec's Suicide Prevention Week. I should warn my colleagues that this year's theme is blunt: “Prevention is Better than Death.” It can never be said often enough: Preventing suicide means talking about it. We all have a duty to create an open, welcoming space where nothing is taboo and everyone feels free to express themselves. We have a duty to reme…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I wish to inform you that I will be sharing my time with the fabulous member for Manicouagan. We are here today to reiterate a fact to everyone and to all federal parliamentarians, specifically, “That the House remind the government that it is solely up to Quebec and the provinces to decide on the use of the notwithstanding clause”. That is what today's Bloc Québécois motion is all …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, one side of the House giving the other side history lessons will not change the fact that Premier René Lévesque never signed the Constitution. He rejected it outright. The other provinces joined together to wrest the notwithstanding clause. Madam Speaker, I hear my colleagues talking. I showed respect in listening to my colleague's question, and I would like him to show the same res…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I often tell my hon. colleague that I believe she is a member of the wrong legislature. I believe that if Albertans elect Danielle Smith as their premier, it is because they trust her. Democracy exists in her province as well. It is not up to Parliament, to the House of Commons to dictate what the provinces should do. My colleague should campaign to beat Danielle Smith and elect a p…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I do not know if he is the worst in that regard, but I think the facts speak for themselves. I think that for some time now, the government, certain members and the Prime Minister have been working together on the difficult matters that divide Canadians and Quebeckers. I also think that people expect us to do our absolute best and to represent our fellow citizens in the best way pos…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, after years of pressure from Quebec, the provinces and the Bloc Québécois, the first ministers will finally meet on February 7 to talk health transfers. However, the federal government is trying to manage expectations by calling it a working meeting to discuss demands. We all know what those demands are. Ottawa needs to cover 35% of health care costs. That is what the premiers have be…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, meanwhile, the crisis is worsening in our hospitals. The situation is so untenable that exhausted nurses at Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital refused to go back to work two weeks ago. They even threatened to quit. At this point, working meetings are not enough; they need results. Quebec and the provinces have been voicing their needs. They have been doing so for the past 28 months, and th…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to temporary reductions in service hours at certain Canadian border crossings due to the COVID-19 pandemic: (a) which Quebec border crossings (i) temporarily reduced their service hours, (ii) have returned to their pre-pandemic service hours; and (b) what is the justification for the current service hours posted for each of the border crossings in (a)?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and will be voting in favour.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and will be voting in favour.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and will be voting in favour of the motion.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I want to speak because I am a bit amazed by everything I am hearing from both sides of the House. I do not understand the idea of imposing closure on Bill C-32. In every speech we made, we said that the Bloc Québécois supported Bill C-32. I also heard the NDP say that it supported the bill. The government therefore has everything it needs to move Bill C-32 forward, properly and in …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's speech. I agree with him. There are a number of things missing from this economic statement. I would like him to comment on the absence of the health transfers that are so important for all provinces, which are currently under a lot of pressure to meet needs and provide services. The money is in Ottawa, but the needs are in the provinces. Does …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak at report stage of Bill C-32. After reading Bill C-32 and the proposed amendment, all I can say is that this bill just dusts off some old legislative measures. There is nothing to excite us or to show us what direction the government wants to take. This bill is actually rather disappointing. As a former health care network manager in Quebec, I want to t…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for that interesting question. It gives me a chance to explain to him that health and education are also priorities of the Quebec government. As far as health is concerned, the Government of Quebec is very clear about being able to identify its own problems and priorities. Quebec and British Columbia have more seniors that the other provinces; it is only natural…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question, which is very interesting. Food drives are held in Quebec at this time of year. People collect food to help food banks and other organizations that provide food assistance. Previously, it was believed that a certain category of people needed help and went to food banks. Now, even working people need help and support as pressure and inflation ar…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I know my colleague is very concerned about the needs of seniors who are feeling pressure because of inflation. Can she tell me what is missing from this economic statement? Can she tell me if she agrees that people between the ages of 65 and 74 should not be entitled to an increase in their old age security? Does she agree with the government's position?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, in his excellent speech, my colleague talked about federal services to the public, such as passports and immigration. He also talked about the delays and unreasonable wait times EI claimants are being subjected to. Our staff hear from so many of these people. Can the member give some specific examples of problems he is experiencing because of the government's failure to deliver thes…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, COP15 on biodiversity starts this Wednesday. A new report revealed that 2,253 species are at risk in Canada. Meanwhile, the federal government has authorized exploratory oil and gas drilling off the coast of Newfoundland, no environmental assessment required, smack dab in the middle of natural habitat for endangered right whales as well as seven other whale species, turtles, corals, b…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, with COP15 two days away, the federal government continues to demonstrate that Canada has a double standard when it comes to oil companies. In 2020, Canada announced the creation of marine refuges off the coast of Newfoundland, where fishing is restricted to protect biodiversity. Last month, however, it authorized four oil companies to conduct exploratory drilling in the middle of a m…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to share with the House the outstanding achievements of Félix Blackburn, executive director of the Société de conservation et d'aménagement des bassins versants de la Zone Châteauguay, or SCABRIC, an organization dedicated to watershed conservation and planning. Mr. Blackburn knows everything there is to know about the Châteauguay River watershed. Since 2002, he has dedi…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, had my colleague next to me not mentioned it, I would not have risen to concur in his point of order. I, too, was affected and felt insulted and even scorned by my colleague's comments. I believe my colleagues know that I am a social workers and member of my professional association. I also find that it is an insult to the profession to make a clinical judgment without an assessment a…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and will be voting in favour.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and will be voting yes.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and will vote in favour.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, let me summarize the situation. Global News has reported on Chinese interference in the 2019 election. At least 11 candidates may have received funding from China. Intelligence services informed the Prime Minister's Office as far back as January 2022. We are trying to get to the bottom of this, but we are not getting any clear answers from either the Prime Minister or the Minister of …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, even if there was no Chinese interference with the funding of 11 candidates, we know that a real risk still exists. We need only think of the Chinese researchers at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, the secret police stations in Toronto and the espionage at Hydro-Québec. It is naive to believe that there is no threat of Chinese interference in elections. Instead of bei…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Quebec celebrates the social economy every November. When people purchase goods or services from the social economy, the whole community benefits. The social economy is about supporting businesses that care about community and local services. The social economy is about businesswomen and businessmen who value quality of life and citizen engagement. These are business leaders who prior…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today as we debate the—what is it now?—18th or 19th time allocation motion so far. It is hard to keep track because this habit has become so ingrained in how we operate. It is time allocation after time allocation. Maybe people will start using that expression. Time allocation used to be the exception, but now, since the pandemic, since the advent of the hy…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I share my colleague's concerns. The measures announced in this economic statement are thin, flimsy and unambitious when it comes to preventing so much money from going to tax havens. We urge the government to be a true world leader and do everything it can to prevent tax avoidance.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. During the pandemic, the government reacted quickly and implemented special benefits through EI. These benefits ended recently, leaving a lot of workers and people in need in a tight spot. The EI program already needed to be changed and reformed before the pandemic. People have been calling for that for many years because it is an old program t…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I think we all know the solution. It is what the premiers of every province and territory have been asking for. The solution is enough money in health transfers so that each province can make appropriate, high-quality services available to its citizens based on their priorities, their circumstances and their needs. The solution is health transfers with no strings attached because ev…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am somewhat surprised by the turn today's debate has taken. I note that the government House leader gave a spiritual and somewhat philosophical speech about how he sees things. I see signs of his personal growth. I heard him quote the Bible. I realize that it may be pleasant to hear ourselves talk and share ideas, but we must not forget what today's debate is about. We are debatin…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thought it was time for questions and comments.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I listened to the parliamentary secretary to the government House leader. Perhaps he should take a cue from his House leader, who is suggesting that everyone remain reasonable, calm, open-minded and forgiving. I think he still has a lot to learn from his House leader. I do not see how shouting and raising one's voice in the House is a credit to anyone. It sends the message that the pr…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak to this debate on Motion No. 22 under Government Business. For those watching us, this motion may seem procedural and maybe even uninteresting. We are talking about procedure and rules. The public does not usually like that part and does not consider it a priority. However, we are talking about democracy here. From what I see, and from what my entire ca…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, five Bloc Québécois members participated in the debate on Bill S‑5, as did 27 Conservatives. That works out to about the same proportion for both parties. I cannot complain or criticize if members want to speak to a bill. I find my colleague's argument rather weak. The government has passed all its priority bills. In has checked a lot of items off its legislative to-do list. As we s…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question. I am not sure if it is a coincidence, but we know that the NPD whip is also a member of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs. This morning she was also at the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. The idea is to determine whether committees are being cancelled out of expediency. The Standing committee on Veterans Affairs is a…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, we are not debating the hybrid Parliament today. However, since the question was asked, I will provide a quick answer. The hybrid Parliament was created for use during the pandemic, but now it is being changed with a view to perhaps making it permanent in order to foster work-life balance, among other things. The Bloc Québécois does a lot to promote work-life balance and, as whip, I…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I think that my colleague's testimony and question say it all. Today, the government is trying to do indirectly what it cannot do directly: dictate to the opposition how work is to proceed. I think that, given all his personal and professional qualities, the government House leader could have made more of an effort to try to secure the co-operation of all House leaders. If he had ac…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 100th anniversary of Montcalm Farm. For the Montcalms, agriculture is a family affair and above all a passion. In 1922, Joseph Montcalm bought a farm in Saint‑Louis‑de‑Gonzague. His son and daughter-in-law, Roch and Corona, then went to live on the dairy farm. Then brothers Maurice, François and Marc joined the business to expand the farm. Now, the cousins are…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I think that my colleague believes that it is important for children under 12 to have dental care. However, on the issue of priorities in health and social services, can he tell us who he thinks is best placed to determine, in each province, the health care and social services that need to be offered to the least fortunate populations and the population as a whole? What jurisdiction…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I apologize if I offended my colleague. I hope it was clear that, physically, I was not talking about her, but about other members who were speaking very loudly in the House. I found their lack of respect very disturbing and insulting. I certainly was not talking about her. I know that she is a conscientious member, that she listens to me and is interested in what I have to say. In an…
Read full speech →