Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, filing a tax return is essential for receiving benefits such as the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which can provide up to $900 for a single individual and up to $2,000 for a family of four this year. This new benefit will support 12 million low- and modest-income individuals to offset increased expenses related to food inflation. I want to say a big thank you to the doz…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to hear that the member points to the fact that we need to double our exports to non-U.S. destinations in the next few years. He also knows that Canada has what the world needs in that context. I am surprised, however, to hear his leader say that the PM needs to stay at home; that if he were the PM, he would stay at home; that we should not travel to meet global an…
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Madam Speaker, I was very interested to listen to our colleague's speech and also to compare it to what we heard yesterday on the topic of Indonesia, when we heard some Conservative voices saying that we were spending or wasting too much of members' time talking about trade. Does the member believe we are spending too much time in the House investing in trade relationships and building a stronger …
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Mr. Speaker, I feel good about two things that my colleague mentioned in his remarks. The first is that we are once again debating a free trade agreement that is excellent for jobs across Canada, including in Quebec. The second is that the Canadian government and the Prime Minister are successfully working on economic security and national security. He rightly mentioned the aerospace industry. Is …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in relation to Bill C-8, an act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other acts. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendmen…
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Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, over the past few years, I have had little opportunity to observe my colleague's work at the committee. However, listening to him, it is clear that he has worked very hard and very effectively for the people in his riding. I am very pleased to hear him talk about the solid benefits of this agreement for farmers, including those in his riding. I would like to ask him the…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, between February 14 and 22, Quebec City really came alive thanks to the Sun Life Pentathlon des neiges, the largest winter sports event in the country. For over 20 years, this event has served to showcase Quebec's capital region thanks to a dedicated team, hundreds of volunteers and strong partners. I would like to acknowledge the spokespersons for this year's event, Olympic champion …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we have come a long way since 2015. In 2015, when we were elected, the former government had unfortunately excluded every segment from Quebec City to Montreal from any projects, including a high-speed rail or even a high-frequency rail. It is now 2026. What could my colleague, the Minister of Transport, say to my colleagues from Quebec and Quebec City about the importance of this high…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again acknowledge the great wisdom, great tact and nuance that my colleague from neighbouring Québec Centre regularly brings to the table. Given everything he said about the importance of being sensitive to what happened over 50 years ago and supporting those who were affected, I would still like to ask him clearly what he thinks about high-speed rail for Quebec C…
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Mr. Speaker, I believe that the member likely listened carefully to what was said this morning and early this afternoon. As he rightly pointed out, he heard several concerns, memories, recollections and stories of all the trauma experienced by the people of Mirabel. However, he may not have listened to everything that was said. For example, it was said that members of the House are encouraged to i…
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Mr. Speaker, I think my colleague understands and clearly noted some of the benefits of the Alto project: the equivalent of 100,000 cars being taken off the road; a 50% reduction in travel time; greater reliability; higher frequency; a more comfortable journey; and the creation of 51,000 good jobs. Already, 26,000 people have participated in the consultation process that is only just beginning. Ho…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleague for speaking with such wisdom, sensitivity, respect and dignity. She clearly said that everyone here today agrees on the trauma experienced by the people of Mirabel. She also said that Minister Garneau had already recognized this just a few years ago. She also mentioned that it is 2026 and that we know how to do things better now. What would she suggest that all …
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Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleague for his excellent statement on the importance of this project. My colleague made a suggestion. He asked how we could work together to encourage people to take part in the consultation process, instead of saying that there is no consultation, or that voicing one's opinion is pointless. Instead of saying that and discouraging people from sharing their opinions, how…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by recognizing the honour and the sensitivity of my colleague on the other side of the House. I say that with all sincerity. I think he spoke from the heart, and we felt that very clearly. Having said that, I believe that he may have misunderstood or at least misrepresented the scope of the consultations Alto is undertaking, which are just getting under way. Appa…
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Mr. Speaker, again, I want to commend my colleague and the other members who have risen for speaking plainly and with great sensitivity. We must indeed acknowledge the mistakes of the past. However, it is now 2026, and we have learned from those mistakes. There are now ways of doing things with sound, established consultation processes. Rather than saying that there is no consultation, does my col…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, on January 1, my friend and canoeing and camping buddy, André Provencher, left us far too soon after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Provencher was passionate about local news and a staunch defender of Quebec culture and he held executive positions at TVA, Télé‑Québec and Cogeco. He also launched La Presse Télé, which produced popular television series such as Les Parent, Les che…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to all those who helped create the new permanent exhibition “Growing Up with the Ursulines” at the Pôle culturel du Monastère des Ursulines in Quebec City, in the beautiful riding of Québec Centre. The result of more than four years of work, this exhibition pays tribute to 400 years of educational and social engagement by the Ursuline Sisters, women w…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in relation to Bill C-12, an act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures. The committee has studied the bill and …
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Mr. Speaker, my hon. friend knows very well what has taken place over the past few months. A payment was promised to all Canadians in the provinces that participated in the consumer carbon pricing regime, which did not apply to Quebec or British Columbia. The regime no longer exists. Therefore, the rebate does not exist either. That has been very well understood, I think, by everyone who has been …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Bill C-4, the making life more affordable for Canadians act. The bill would enact three important measures designed to make life more affordable for Canadians at a time when a range of economic headwinds are combining to pose significant affordability challenges. First, we would cut taxes for 22 million Canadians; second, we would eliminate the GST for most …
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Beauport—Limoilou, who is now a Liberal member from the greater Quebec City area and who has increased the number of Liberal members from the greater Quebec City area by 50%. It is not complicated. The Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois voted against the Canadian dental care plan and the Canada child benefit. On top of that, the Conservatives called the nat…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to highlight the outstanding work of Craque-Bitume, an urban ecology collective that, for the past 14 years, has helped Quebec City residents embrace an eco-conscious lifestyle. Craque-Bitume is known for its urban and community garden initiatives, its environmental education workshops, and its impressive community composting network that now boasts 34 sites, 18 of …
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Mr. Speaker, I welcome the new member and obviously commend his important work. However, I would warn him about the things that previous members of the Conservative Party have done over the last few years. The first thing Conservative MPs did in 2016 was vote against the middle-income tax cut at that time. Another thing that other Conservative MPs did, just a few years later, was to again vote aga…
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Mr. Speaker, I was very impressed to hear my esteemed colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche say that last summer, he visited 200 places where people had found jobs through the Canada summer jobs program. I wish him good luck and lots of fun next summer, because the program is increasing the number of funded positions from 70,000 to 100,000. What does he think about the impact this program is having…
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Mr. Speaker, I have the good fortune of sitting in front of my esteemed colleague, who is an academic and economist by profession. I was a little troubled by his comments on the possible role of a trained economist in politics. The current Prime Minister is a world-class economist. He was the governor of two central banks. I do not know of anyone else in the history of Canada, or perhaps anywhere …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member's input, which suggests that she will vote in favour of Bill C-4 because she seems to be supporting the removal of GST on the purchase of new homes for first-time homebuyers. That is excellent news. We look forward to confirming that vote soon in the House. It is great that she supports the measure, and we look forward to seeing that in the House through her vo…
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Mr. Speaker, I listened with some attention to the member's speech. I wonder how someone from the Conservative Party could vote against a bill that reduces middle-income taxes for 22 million Canadians. How is that possible? In her speech, she said she wants taxes to be removed on new homes for new buyers, and that is exactly what the bill does. How is it possible that she would vote against such a…
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Mr. Speaker, I am grateful and proud of my colleague's speech. I heard her talk about the Canada summer jobs program. I believe that very few members of the House recognize that the proposed budget would increase the number of jobs under the Canada summer jobs program from 70,000 to 100,000 next summer. Could my colleague talk about the impact of this increase in the number of jobs for young peopl…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, at the recent G7 Leaders' Summit, Canada clearly stated that it would be a leader in the global race for critical minerals. Critical minerals are an essential part of manufacturing electric vehicles, clean technologies and information technologies. Controlling critical minerals also means ensuring good jobs for the middle class and economic security for our country. Can the Minister o…
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Mr. Speaker, all experts agree that bail reform needs to be thoughtful and intelligent. Just a few months ago, the Conservative leader ran on a “three strikes and you're out” policy, which I think many people said was unreasonable. Why was it dropped from Bill C-242?
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Mr. Speaker, let me start by saying that I will be sharing my speaking time with my distinguished colleague from Bourassa. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to explain what the government is currently doing to build safe communities and to prevent crime, as well as our plans for the future. Canadians expect the government to be smart about fighting crime. I want to thank and commend the m…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to know what my colleague thinks of our Conservative friends' decision to remove what is known as the “three strikes and you're out” provision from their new bill, which was directly inspired by certain American practices. What does he think?
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague and thank him for his wisdom in pointing out that, when bills and laws passed by this government are overturned and struck down by the Supreme Court, it has truly harmful consequences for the justice system and for victims. Could my colleague elaborate on the harmful consequences that poorly drafted laws and bills can have on victims?
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his pertinent and thoughtful comments. The key word here is “thoughtful”. The measures we put in place must be thoughtful measures. Sadly, some of the measures implemented by the Harper government were poorly thought out. They led to court challenges, sometimes reaching the Supreme Court. These measures were struck down, which had a huge impact o…
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Mr. Speaker, we all agree that we want to reform the bail system. That is why, as the Prime Minister said again today, we will very shortly be bringing the House a proposal to reform the bail system that will achieve three known objectives. The first objective is to combat gun violence and organized crime to make it harder for violent repeat offenders to get bail. The second objective is to increa…
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Mr. Speaker, in fact this calls for the support of all members of Parliament on both sides of the House. When it comes, it will come quickly. We need to arrive at a consensus. I think we all share the same objective, a consensus based on reason, efficiency and clear guidance on the part of experts. I am confident. I look forward to broad bipartisan support for the bail reform bill, which is going …
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Mr. Speaker, that one question contains many questions. I will leave it to my esteemed colleague from Bourassa to give the answer that my colleague obviously deserves. To answer the second question, I would say that it is a matter of striking the right balance between individual rights and freedoms and the collective, social, economic and other objectives that we are able to set ourselves as a gov…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague just raised an important point. Both inside and outside the House, people sometimes tend to lump together the views of Quebeckers as if one political party speaks for them all. Quebeckers are entitled to a wide range of opinions, identities and interests. It is a bit much to claim that one party, perhaps because of its name, speaks for all Quebeckers. No party here repres…
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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to share my time with the member for Bourassa. I rise today to discuss the Bloc Québécois opposition day motion. First, I would like to congratulate and thank my colleagues in the House for offering many complementary perspectives on this issue. The use of section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, commonly known as the notwithstanding clause, is indeed an…
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Mr. Speaker, I have two quick things to say. First, maybe it has taken too long. Maybe 43 years was too long to wait for the Supreme Court to rule on this important issue. Second, it was not the Government of Canada that brought this case to the Supreme Court; it was Quebeckers and Quebec organizations. It was not the Government of Canada that created this case. It was Quebeckers who, rightly or w…
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Mr. Speaker, I applaud my colleague's enthusiasm and passion. I have a quote for him, and I would like to hear his thoughts on it. The great Alexis de Tocqueville said that nothing is more dangerous than citizens' apathy toward the oppression of minorities. What are my colleague's thoughts on that?
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, entitled “Fighting the Phenomenon of Vehicle Thefts in Canada”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
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Mr. Speaker, no, I would not agree with that. What I would instead add is that it is surprising for his leader, Pierre Poilievre, though I do not believe it would be the member's opinion, to unfortunately declare things such as that the Canadian dental care plan is a communist plan and to describe the school food program as a bureaucratic program, while it is a program that is going to help 400,00…
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Mr. Speaker, it is always such a pleasure to hear my colleague from Acadia speak. Whenever she and I talk, I can sense the enthusiasm and dedication that she demonstrated in a few words just now. Yes, the Canadian dental care plan is making people's lives a lot better. I believe some 15,000 seniors and children in my colleague's riding have already benefited from it, and another 15,000 adults betw…
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Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in today's debate on the timing of budget 2025, a subject that the Canadian government obviously takes very seriously. With that in mind, I am pleased to inform the House that I will be sharing my time with my esteemed colleague from Whitby. We believe it would be both ill-advised and confusing to draft such a major financial planning d…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by congratulating my colleague across the way. My colleague said a lot of things, and I will come back to that in a few moments, but he left some things out. I did not hear him talk much about the tax cut, nor did he talk about the expansion of the Canadian dental care plan to cover adults aged 18 to 64, or the school food program, which will benefit 100,000 chil…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague is correct. We have to protect the living standards, the well-being, of Canadians, and in particular those Canadians who rely on the benefits and services of the Government of Canada. That is why we have been clear, the Prime Minister has been very clear, that there will not be cuts to transfers to essential programs like child care, pharmacare and dental care, all these …
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Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague that the budget has to be fiscally responsible as well as socially and economically responsible. There will be a budget in the fall of 2025. Between now and then, we have important questions to settle. One of them is whether the member will support the important investments in the armed forces that we announced just this morning. This is an issue that I look …
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Mr. Speaker, our colleague spoke truly about the six affordable homes that Pierre Poilievre built during his entire mandate. However, he did not mention the fact that Pierre Poilievre is against social housing because he says it promotes Soviet-style living. What does the hon. member think about that?
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by congratulating my colleague from Davenport on her re-election. I had the good fortune, just a short while ago, to see her at work in her community, in her constituency, where she was present and powerful. I am not at all surprised that she has been re-elected. As I recall, we visited a dental clinic together. We talked about the importance of dental care for…
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