Parliamentary Speeches
522 speeches by Claude DeBellefeuille — Page 4 of 11
Government Orders
Madam Chair, people in my riding are very aware of the presence of helicopters. We are talking about farmers. We are talking about people whose land is being used by smugglers' vehicles and illegal migrants. People feel as though they have to set up barriers themselves. Does the minister intend to support people who are constantly grappling with this phenomenon and help them cover the cost of inst…
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Madam Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's speech, and I would like her to comment on something she did not really say too much about. I think we can all agree that the Liberal government really is managing the entire border, including traffic and border security. Does my colleague truly believe that border officers' powers can really be increased when we know perfectly well that recrui…
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Madam Speaker, I represent a southern Quebec riding where smugglers and criminal organizations exploit and abuse migrants hoping to cross the border illegally. It cannot be said that the previous government did much to limit, control or reduce this activity. As a member of Parliament, I have worked extensively with the RCMP to document and support residents dealing with this issue. I can also say …
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the new member. He made a comment earlier that really got my attention about how opposition members do nothing but oppose and never propose anything. It is the complete opposite. The Bloc Québécois is known here for being hard-working and thorough, for proposing solutions, for improving things and for co-operating. Perhaps no one inform…
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Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleague is deeply concerned about the issue of firearms. Bill C-2 talks about giving more power to the Coast Guard to document and observe situations and share that information with the authorities. Does my colleague think this is a good tool for combatting illegal gun trafficking?
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Madam Chair, to improve border security, the Customs and Immigration Union has proposed that officers be allowed to patrol outside their border crossings to intercept migrants who may be crossing the border illegally. We support this proposal to establish co‑operation between the RCMP and border services officers. Does the minister support the idea of giving patrol officers the authority to monito…
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Madam Chair, this week, we learned through media reports that the RCMP was recruiting in English only outside Quebec. We were very disheartened to learn that. I know the minister is committed to improving his French. Does he intend to bring the RCMP into line and demand that it remedy this situation?
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Madam Chair, according to the Customs and Immigration Union, the Canada Border Services Agency needs an additional 2,000 to 3,000 border officers to carry out its duties. The Canada Border Services Agency training centre can only train 600 officers per year, which is in line with current attrition rates. During the most recent election, the Liberal Party talked about hiring 1,000 additional CBSA o…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, like my colleague, we stand in solidarity with the evacuees and everyone affected by the disaster. We have offered our condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in these tragic circumstances. My question is this. What more could my colleague's government be doing to fight climate change? What measures can it put in place to limit climate change? Could it be doing more?
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, we are seeing more and more of these disasters. Quebec went through something similar in 2023. We must think about what public policy makers can do to put preventive measures in place. It is clear that we will have to adapt to climate change. It is not enough to fix the damage; preventive action needs to be taken. It appears that the government still has a lot of work to do to put p…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I am not a forestry expert. I do know that forest management is a provincial responsibility, which puts it within the jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces, and that each province manages its own forestry sector. I am not all that familiar with my colleague's claims that improper forest management could be the cause of some fires. I am therefore unable to answer my colleague's qu…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleague that there is nothing better than collaboration among all levels of government to find solutions to what indigenous communities may be experiencing. I know the current situation in Manitoba is hitting them the hardest. They are literally surrounded by flames. I know some indigenous leaders have complained that they do not have everything they need to stop t…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that I will be sharing my time with the member for Repentigny. Although it is a sad occasion, I feel privileged to speak this evening in this emergency debate as the Bloc Québécois critic for public safety and emergency preparedness. I want to begin by saying that the Bloc Québécois stands in solidarity with the people currently grappling with the conse…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for very moving speech, since he hails from the province that has declared a state of emergency. He said that the provinces and Canada may not have enough equipment to deal with the increasing number of natural disasters. He said that Manitoba will even need international aid. There is talk of getting reinforcements from Mexico, Australia and even Costa Ri…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, as a member of Parliament representing a riding that borders the United States, I have an interest in border security. The throne speech mentions the hiring of additional RCMP officers, but there is not a word about the government's intention to add human resources to the Canada Border Services Agency. Does my colleague not find it odd, even abnormal, that the previous government's co…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I have a reminder for the Liberals. Quebeckers elected a minority government, and so they expect the parties to co-operate. They expect transparency. Most of all, they expect restraint. Tabling over $200 billion in new spending without a budget explaining where the funds are coming from is a blatant violation of the Liberals' mandate in every sense. We asked the government to co-opera…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, during the previous Parliament, parliamentarians passed Bill C-21, legislation aimed at increasing gun control. However, since the bill passed, we have been waiting for the regulations that the government was supposed to introduce. Does my colleague, who is concerned about safety, find it unusual that the regulations for such an important bill have not yet been introduced?
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the wonderful member for Shefford. Before I begin my reply to the Speech from the Throne, I would like to warmly and sincerely thank the voters of Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon for their renewed trust. I am beginning my fifth term with the same enthusiasm, the same desire to serve my constituents and, I would say, the same strength to defend…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, congratulations on your new position. I listened carefully to my colleague's speech, in which he emphasized the importance of public safety and border security. The throne speech makes no mention of the promised hiring of 1,000 additional border officers to ensure border security. I would remind my colleague that the real number of officers needed is closer to 3,000, as documented. Ho…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, yes, seniors in Quebec and other Canadian provinces are increasingly falling victim to financial scams, as well as romance scams. It should be noted that there seems to be a bit of a vacuum, in that no one feels responsible for going after those who are scamming seniors. Like my colleague, I believe that we need to talk about this and do more to address it. I think the government has …
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, that is a good question. Personally, I truly believe in co-operation, but who we are must be respected. Co-operation does not mean saying that I have a good idea and that anyone who disagrees is not co-operating. Co-operation is about discussion, negotiation and respect. When I look at the throne speech, I do not get the impression or the sense that a wave of co-operation is on the ho…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, in her speech, the member talked a lot about hope. Apparently one constituent voted for her in the hope that things would change. I am the mother of three young women who have young children, babies. They need hope too. They wonder what kind of world their children are going to live in. They wonder what kind of planet we are going to leave them. I gather from the member's speech that …
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I just want to remind my colleague that this is my fifth term. I think there is a lesson to be learned from that about being careful when asking questions. Arrogance is never welcome. That said, I am in touch with the people of my riding. Seniors aged 65 to 74 did not get an increase. True, they might have access to dental care now, but that does not pay the rent or buy groceries. In …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to the Canadian Dental Care Plan: what is the number of beneficiaries enrolled in the program, broken down by (i) province or territory, (ii) federal electoral district, (iii) Quebec municipality, if available?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, important votes usually take place here in the House but, today, that work is being done in the Senate. Senators are voting on an amendment that would kneecap Bill C‑282 and prevent it from protecting supply management. Unelected representatives will vote on whether or not they should respect the will of elected officials from all parties to protect our farmers in trade agreements. Di…
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Mr. Speaker, I am appealing to the party leaders. Each one of them voted to protect supply management in trade agreements by passing Bill C‑282. Today, senators will either vote to respect our will or they will vote to reverse our collective decision, in a complete break from the basic principles of democracy. The party leaders must know that the farmers in their ridings are watching them. Will al…
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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 we will be voting in favour, along with the member for Manicouagan.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and will be voting in favour.
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, the Université du Québec à Montréal, or UQAM for short, has just scored a major coup by appointing Pauline Marois chancellor. This is another first for the woman who was elected Quebec's first female premier. Throughout her impressive career serving Quebec, it was her role as education minister that Ms. Marois says she enjoyed the most, because that is where she was able to make the b…
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Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the result of the vote and will vote in favour.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and votes no.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois agrees to apply the vote and votes no.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, on October 24, the band Lendemain de Veille won “group of the year” at the Gala Country, which celebrates French-language country music. This is a big deal. These musicians are as talented as they are high-spirited, and that is saying a lot. Lendemain de Veille won this honour for the third year in a row, but their fans will not be surprised to hear that they have won again. Anyone wh…
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Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I must note that the Bloc Québécois made the effort to notify the government. The government learned last night that we would be debating this report. It is therefore false—
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to use my time to heartily congratulate my colleague from Montcalm. He has a level of knowledge and expertise that should make the minister envious. The Bloc Québécois believes that the member for Montcalm understands the issue 100%. He understands it in a much more tangible and practical way than the Minister of Health does, which is a shame. We are hearing all sorts o…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' decision to abandon seniors is heartless. The insinuations that seniors are too rich to deserve a pension increase are shameful. There are seniors in Quebec whose pension is their only source of income. These people do not have any financial leeway to deal with rent increases. They do not have a rainy day fund to deal with the cost of replacing a vehicle, even with a use…
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Madam Speaker, I am so angry at what I have been hearing over the past 20 minutes. The parliamentary secretary to the government leader clearly showed his ignorance when it comes to advance requests. He showed his ignorance and lack of knowledge. He does not even know what is in Bill C‑390, which was tabled here in May 2024. He said he is not familiar with its content, which offers a solution for …
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Madam Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's speech. I imagine she has read the report of the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying. The committee is made up of parliamentarians from all parties in the House as well as senators. In recommendation 13, all committee members agreed that we were not ready to make a decision on extending MAID to people whose sole medical condi…
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Madam Speaker, it is with a great deal of emotion that I rise today to speak to this report. We are talking about it because advance requests for MAID are a topical issue in Quebec, which implemented its legislation yesterday. It was a big day. It took a year for the act to pass, and it came into force this week. This is a great day for Quebeckers. From now on, people diagnosed with an incurable, …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the Quebec lieutenant is against increasing the pensions by 10% because among those 65 to 74 there are rich people like him who do not need it. That is not true. Rich people like him are seeing their pensions reduced by clawback taxes. The government is already paying the 10% increase to people 75 and up. It is universal. If the Liberals think that it is good enough for people 75 and …
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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 →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with pride to congratulate Mélissa Bourdon on being named woman farmer of the year in the Montérégie‑Ouest region. From farmwork and fieldwork to financial management and direct sales, Ms. Bourdon is always finding ways to innovate on the farm she manages alongside her father, François. With the strong support of those close to her, and on top of her endless plans and pro…
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Mr. Speaker, for years now, the Bloc Québécois has been calling for the Senate to be abolished. It is an outdated institution and there is nothing democratic about it. We said it was useless, but we were wrong. It is not useless; it is harmful. To the Senate, the will of elected representatives does not matter. Senators can decide not to respect that will without any problem or consequence. Bill C…
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Mr. Speaker, supply management is the farming model that ensures a secure future for our dairy, egg and poultry farmers. It is a model that we must protect. Everyone agrees on that except for senators Boehm and Harder, who think they are wiser and smarter than everyone here, than our farmers, than the millions of people that we represent in the House. They are part of the global intellectual elite…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today, October 7, marks the end of a year of horror. It has been a year since Hamas terrorists massacred over 1,200 people in Israel. It has been a year since Hamas took nearly 250 people hostage, including dozens who are presumed to be alive but who are still missing. It has been a year since the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Last October 7, Hamas committed acts of incr…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I am sure the member took fiendish delight in calling me on that. Maybe he wants to be the whip in the next Conservative government. The debate we are having on this opposition day is very important. The Bloc Québécois did not conjure this out of thin air. As everyone knows, this has been one of its priorities since 2019. Just this morning, our position was endorsed by the president o…
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Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my colleague, who is always so thorough in the way he asks questions. There are many other ways to support seniors. I think that the Bloc Québécois, in its last election platform, also suggested tax incentives, among other things. I think that when someone purports to run a progressive or social-democratic government, choices also have to be made. What we understand ab…
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Mr. Speaker, I am not sure what to make of these two questions. On the first, I think that what is clear to Quebeckers, and the message has been heard loud and clear, is that before putting the Leader of the Opposition in charge of the country, I know that my constituents and Quebeckers want us to work on securing a better old age pension for our seniors. Now, will there be an election? I do not k…
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