Parliamentary Speeches
418 speeches by Claude DeBellefeuille — Page 4 of 9
Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we noticed that the budget contains a helpful measure for microbreweries that make craft beer. My question for the parliamentary secretary, who, if I remember correctly, serves on the Standing Committee on Finance, has to do with excise duty on small artisanal producers. It is a lot for them. It makes a big difference in the cost per bottle, whereas exempting them from excise duty wil…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am not a lawyer. I have no experience with the legal side of things. I understand that what the member is referring to is a complex issue. It is true that some people use every possible legal procedure and all the courts they can to delay the judicial process in their case. Yes, these are questions I have asked myself, but it is difficult to comment on the issue at this stage, as …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to Bill C‑40. This bill seeks to modernize the Canadian justice system by creating the miscarriage of justice review commission to address shortcomings in the processing of miscarriage of justice applications. We are all aware of this issue; it has been rather well documented. The minister at the time, David Lametti, commissioned a study in 2021 t…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, my colleague asked a good question. I understand her, and I agree with what she said about people who are less well off and more vulnerable. They may not necessarily have the access or the money to actively engage in the judicial process, which requires hiring legal advisers and good lawyers. That is a real problem. As I believe everyone knows, since I often mention it in the House,…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I think it is obvious. We are governed by the Official Languages Act in Canada. However, when it comes to enforcing the act or being consistent when independent commissions or committees are set up, there is resistance. We do not understand this resistance, because it stands to reason that, here in Canada, in Quebec and in the other provinces, services must be provided in both offic…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, I want to talk about foreign interference. One leader says it is nothing serious. Another leader says it is very serious. Both want us to take their word for it, so we are no further ahead. On Monday, the Minister of Public Safety said he would not breach secrecy because RCMP Deputy Commissioner Mark Flynn warned him he would face criminal prosecution. Does the government think that…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, there are two opposing narratives: One is the optimists' version and advocates moving on because there is nothing to see here, while the other is the version of the alarmists, who want to call 911. We do not know whether either of the two camps, or any of them at all, is telling the truth. We do not know whether one of them or both of them caved to the lure of the spotlight. That ha…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, it is with emotion today that I table petition e-4915, signed by more than 1,000 people. This petition is the fruit of efforts by the family of Nancy Lefrançois and Loïc Chevalier, who were both victims of a terrible multi-vehicle collision. The driver, who was the subject of a Canada-wide warrant, has never been brought to justice, because he is no longer on Canadian soil. The peti…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, when I was speaking in French, I know that some colleagues on both sides of the House were not wearing their earpiece and therefore did not understand what I was saying. There are people in the gallery who came to listen to what I was saying and noticed that I did not have the respect of the House when I tabled a petition that means so much to them.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I hope we are going to discuss this and be able to amend the bill, because we do not understand why this aspect was not included. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the schoolchildren from École Edgar-Hébert, who are here with us today to observe our work in the House and see what a good job the Speaker is doing.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the issue raised by my colleague is just one example of something that could be studied and debated in committee. For instance, experts could share their expertise on algorithm management. As legislators, our goal is to improve the bill. What my colleague is proposing is one of the things that will probably be discussed in committee. Depending on the nature of the deliberations, we mi…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois believes that Bill C-63 tackles two major online scourges and that it is time for us, as legislators, to take action to stamp them out. The Bloc Québécois strongly supports part 1 of the bill, in other words, all provisions related to addressing child pornography and the communication of pornographic content without consent. As we see it, this part is self-evident. …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we are being warned that members are working for foreign powers; meanwhile, yesterday in committee a Liberal MP responded to parliamentarians by saying “get over it”. This is in addition to the Deputy Prime Minister who, on Wednesday, refused to answer questions about foreign interference because she preferred to talk about interest rates. Our democracy is under attack and the Liberal…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, who is from the neighbouring constituency. She is right. I totally agree that we need to take action to eliminate or reduce all types of hate speech on platforms and on the Internet. It feels like the wild west. She is totally right. Where do we draw the line? After all, there are sections of the Criminal Code that protect people and offer them some protection. H…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, as parliamentarians, we simply cannot be content with the measures outlined by the Liberals. The fact that some members are under foreign influence is proof that these measures are not enough. We also cannot be content with simply offloading the problem onto the RCMP. Our hands are tied because scheming in favour of foreign powers does not always involve criminal acts. In any case, it…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have been authorized to share my time with the hon. member for Shefford, who does essential work for the Bloc Québécois on issues having to do with seniors. I would like to take this opportunity to remind the government that Bill C‑319, which was introduced by my colleague, was unanimously adopted in committee with good reason. The Bloc Québécois is proposing to increase the amount …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that I will be sharing my time with my colleague from Shefford, who does essential work as the Bloc Québécois critic on issues having to do with seniors.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I seek the unanimous consent of the House to share my time.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I will try to speak slowly so that the member for Winnipeg North can hear the interpretation of what I am saying. With respect to the latest events that have taken place, yes, the party president apologized for publishing an invitation to a volunteer appreciation event that had not been approved by the Speaker. What we do not understand, and what the member for Winnipeg North does n…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague from La Prairie's speech, and I completely agree with what he said. I could try to give some more arguments, but I think that the Bloc Québécois's position is fairly clear. I do have to say that I am deeply saddened to rise to speak today. It is sad that the member for Hull—Aylmer is once again in the spotlight, a distraction that is diverting at…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, we shared the duties of whip when he was whip for the Conservative Party. It is a combination of events. It is a string of events that have undermined and continue to undermine many parliamentarians' confidence in the Speaker. Things build up. We wonder how long the NDP and the government will tolerate these kinds of events. It is really becoming, and inordinately so, the most discu…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would like to indicate to the Chair that, pursuant to Standing Order 43(2)(a), all of the Bloc Québécois's speaking slots for today's debate on the business of supply will be divided in two.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to participate in the debate, but I think it is unfortunate that I will not have much time to do so. With the help of the NDP, the government has limited the time for debate. That means that, today, I will not be able to share absolutely everything that I would have liked to share and debate with my colleagues because time allocation has been imposed on an important bil…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to the Canada Post building located at 180 Victoria Street, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield: (a) what are the annual expenses related to the operation of the post office and the sorting facility; (b) what investments are planned between now and 2030 at this building and for the operations that take place there; and (c) what is the estimated market value of the building and the land?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, history buffs will recall that on the night of May 7, 1944, in the midst of World War II, the frigate HMCS Valleyfield was torpedoed by a German ship, resulting in the deaths of 125 crew members. In a plot worthy of a Hollywood film, the frigate Valleyfield was carrying a top-secret decoder that enabled the allies to send each other secure, strategic messages. The whole saga is being …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the minister when he says that everyone who needs it should have drug coverage. The Bloc Québécois wholeheartedly agrees with him. That being said, what is the best authority, the best government to manage a pharmacare program? The Bloc Québécois is convinced that it is the Government of Quebec and the provincial governments that should fulfill that responsibility for the…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the housing issue proves that we must prevent the federal government from meddling in Quebec's areas of jurisdiction. When the federal level decides where the money goes, Quebeckers get ripped off, and the numbers from CMHC prove that without a doubt. Since the national housing strategy was created in 2019, what share of the funding has Quebec received when the federal government is c…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, again, the member for Kenora's photo is not showing up, so I think you will have to withdraw his vote again.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, we agree with the member who just explained that it is impossible to identify our member. We know that. He is experiencing difficulties at the moment. He is trying to connect, but it is not working. We can proceed to the next vote. We are fine with that.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, although Quebeckers make up 22% of the population, we received 6.7% of federal housing investments when the projects were chosen by Ottawa. It does not take a math genius to realize that we are getting ripped off. Since 2019, the money has gone mostly to funding projects outside Quebec. We are in the midst of a full-on housing crisis and our tax dollars are being spent to house Ontari…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, could you check to see if you recognize the member for Chilliwack—Hope in his photo.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, could you please check the photos of the members for Winnipeg Centre and Winnipeg South Centre? It is hard to identify them.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, could you check the member for Chilliwack—Hope's photo. I do not think you can recognize him.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, if the federal government wants to say no to giving Quebec full control over immigration, then it needs to say yes to doing its own job, particularly with respect to asylum seekers. Families are trapped in inhumane situations. Some spend years worrying because the federal government is incapable of processing their claim. They have no idea whether they will have to leave the country. …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The interpreter has told us that he cannot do his job because of static.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the word of the day in Ottawa is “no”. They are saying no to sole jurisdiction for Quebec over immigration, but they are also saying no to the right to opt out with full compensation from the federal dental care program. They are saying no to the right to opt out of the federal pharmacare program with full compensation. They are saying no to advance requests for medical assistance in …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to draw attention to the 150th anniversary of the City of Salaberry‑de‑Valleyfield. Salaberry‑de‑Valleyfield is marking 150 years of history, 150 years of pride, 150 years of generations of locals enjoying life on the shores of Baie Saint‑François. They are good people who know the secret to the famous Valleyfield grill seasoning. They are hard-working people who ne…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the media crisis has once again swept away a part of our news media and a part of our democracy. Bell is laying off 4,800 employees. This comes on the heels of more than 500 job cuts at Quebecor and 600 at CBC/Radio-Canada. The entire industry has been imploding for years with no meaningful response by the federal government. Bill C‑11 is having no apparent impact because the CRTC is …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Ottawa needs to do something while there are still jobs to be saved. An emergency fund is needed to prevent further cuts. A payroll tax credit is needed for electronic media. A tax credit is needed for advertisers in traditional media. What is needed is an increase in federal advertising investments in traditional media along with a decrease in Liberal investments in Meta. What we nee…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Quebec is a pioneer in Canada when it comes to compassion for people who are suffering. It was the first to implement medical assistance in dying. It is only natural that it is still ahead of the curve today. Quebec is ready to authorize advance requests for persons suffering from serious, incurable neurocognitive diseases. Quebec's legislation was adopted eight months ago, and those …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Canada can continue to think about it, but Quebec is ready. The Quebec National Assembly is unanimously calling for the federal government to amend the Criminal Code so that Quebec can move forward with advance requests. Ottawa has the moral duty to grant Quebec's unanimous request. Canadians have the right to take more time to think about this, but they do not have the right to make …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question, which strikes me as quite partisan. The Bloc Québécois has raised an issue that is of concern to all the provinces, and one on which there is consensus this morning. I guess the member did not have a chance to read the Journal de Montréal, which very clearly indicated that both Quebeckers and Canadians think that Quebec and the provinces reall…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Shefford for her question. I know she is very attuned to this issue as well. When we welcome around 40 students from francophone African countries and we are so happy to have them in Salaberry—Suroît because they speak French and they want to study to become nurses and contribute to our health care system, it breaks my heart to know that they get here but do not…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to this Bloc Québécois opposition day on the important topic of successful immigration. What can I add to what has been said by the Bloc Québécois immigration critic, the member for Lac-Saint-Jean? Since he has a strong command of this file and detailed knowledge of the problems, I have decided to speak more specifically about successful immigration…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank my Conservative colleague for her question, because it is a great question. The federal government owes Quebec $470 million, so paying that back would be a good place to start. Quebec would then have the money and financial flexibility needed to be able to increase services. We know that integration capacity is a complicated and complex issue. We also know that, although we do…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, once again, the French language is getting second-class treatment in this Parliament. Yesterday, the Conservatives and the NDP, supported by one Liberal who lost his way, decided in committee that the commissioners appointed to review miscarriages of justice will not have to be bilingual. Once again, these parties are turning their backs on francophones in Quebec and Canada. Justice…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, what we have just heard is appalling. Once again, this Parliament is devaluing francophones on the pretext of promoting diversity. Let me repeat: French is not an obstacle to diversity. In this country, French is a facet of diversity and the francophonie is diverse. The reasoning used is even more flawed in connection with justice, because both official languages have the force of l…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, during question period today, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship misled the House by insinuating that the leader of the Bloc Québécois compared immigrants to heat pumps. That is not what he did. I think we need to listen closely to what the leader of the Bloc Québécois said because he was actually condemning the minister's refusal to reimburse Quebeckers for the c…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I rise today to share news of the passing of Donna Nichilo Bigras, a wonderful resident of Saint-Chrysostome. Ms. Bigras was a beloved mother, wife, friend, valued community leader, force of nature and model of positivity. The luckier among us would also say that she was a generous culinary genius. Ms. Bigras actively lobbied elected officials in the Hunti…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, as you know, the member for Beloeil—Chambly, leader of the Bloc Québécois, was unable to open his app because it failed. He was unable to open Zoom. I seek unanimous consent for his vote to be recorded as no for the last vote.
Read full speech →