First Session—44th Parliament
Hello everyone. I am very happy to be with you today. This is the 12th time that I have been elected and the fifth time that I have had the pleasure of presiding over the election of the Speaker. Before the election, a journalist asked me if I had thought long and hard about seeking election. I told him that I had. I realized that Joe Biden and I were the same age. If he was able to run the United…
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
Before we move on to the second candidate, I would like to say a few words to my family from this exalted throne, because I forgot to do so when we started. My best to my whole family, my supporters and the voters in my riding, and especially to my partner of 27 years, who is currently battling cancer and is courageously staying the course. I am sure you will all join me in sending her our best wi…
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
I will now call upon Joël Godin, the hon. member for Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, to address the House for not more than five minutes.
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
I will now call upon Mrs. Carol Hughes, the hon. member for Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, to address the House for five minutes.
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
I will now call on Ms. Elizabeth May, the hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands, to address the House for five minutes.
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
I will now call upon Alexandra Mendès, the hon. member for Brossard—Saint‑Lambert, to address the House for not more than five minutes.
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
I noticed that several speakers spoke about new members. I know there are many. I am certain that one of them will beat my record because they are starting out at an earlier age than I did. I would like to use an anecdote to give you a small piece of advice. As I already mentioned, when I was elected in 1984, cell phones, the Internet and faxes did not exist. It was another world, a paradise. What…
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
Before I suspend the sitting for 30 minutes, may I bring to the attention of hon. members that the bells calling the members back to the House will be rung for not more than five minutes. The sitting of the House is suspended to the call of the Chair in 30 minutes. Choose wisely. (The sitting of the House was suspended at 2:22 p.m.)
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
Pursuant to the Standing Orders, the House will now proceed to elect a Speaker. The names of the eligible candidates are listed in alphabetical order on the ballot. After the Clerk has unsealed the ballots, I will suggest to the House a procedure that will accelerate the voting process. We are now prepared to begin to vote according to the provisions of Standing Order 4. Please allow me to outline…
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
All members having voted, I do now instruct the Clerk to proceed with the counting of the ballots after I have cast my ballot.
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
Before I suspend the sitting, I wish to remind hon. members that, when the counting has been completed, the bells to call the members back to the House will be sounded for about 10 minutes. The sitting is suspended to the call of the Chair. (The sitting of the House was suspended at 3:33 p.m.)
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
It is my duty to inform the House that a Speaker of this House has been duly elected. It is with great pleasure that I do now invite the hon. member for the electoral district of Nipissing—Timiskaming to take the chair.
Read full speech →First Session—44th Parliament
(The Presiding Officer having vacated the chair, and the mace having been laid under the table, the right hon. Prime Minister and the hon. Leader of the Opposition conducted Mr. Anthony Rota from his seat in the House to the chair.)
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, today is the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Bloc Québécois. Thirty years ago, on June 15, 1991, I hosted the founding convention in Sorel-Tracy. On that day, Quebec rallied behind a party, its party, that would defend its interests unequivocally. Every day since then, the Bloc Québécois has fought on all fronts for the Quebec nation. Today, by chance or a quirk of fate, our…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking everyone who participated in this debate, which is wrapping up tonight and will conclude tomorrow with a second reading vote. I would especially like to thank my leader for his support for Bill C-216 and for always putting agriculture at the top of his political agenda. I would also like to thank our agriculture critic, the member for Berthier—Maski…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I request a recorded division.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, another major architect of the Quiet Revolution has passed away. On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, allow me to honour the memory of Yves Martin and offer my condolences to his family and loved ones. History will remember Mr. Martin as a founder of the Université du Québec network. Generations upon generations will continue to flourish as a result of the legacy of Mr. Martin's work to f…
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