Routine Proceedings
moved for leave to introduce Bill C‑268, an act respecting the spectrum policy framework for Canada. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to improve cellular connectivity in rural areas and on numbered roads. For me, connecting rural areas is a matter of public safety, economic development and fairness, quite simply. Contrary to what some official maps might say, many areas in Canada still n…
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Mr. Speaker, agriculture is a highly strategic sector in Canada. It feeds our communities, supports the economy and helps Canada feed the world. Now more than ever, we need to see the agriculture and agri-food industry as a pillar of our national security. Our farms are among the most productive in the world, despite the fact that we have a harsh climate and a shorter growing season. Since today i…
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech and for his outstanding collaboration on issues that we are working on together. He is a tremendous partner. As members know, I come from a region of Quebec. In the regions, we rely a lot on natural resources. We also rely a lot on energy. I would like my colleague to tell us more about ways that the regions are key partners in our government's ne…
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Mr. Speaker, we know that the cost of food is a heavy strain on the budgets of Canadian families, including families in my riding. Our government has put forward concrete measures to ease that strain. This year, the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit will put up to $1,890 back in the pockets of families of four. I also want to acknowledge the outstanding work of organizations in my riding…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I am always really happy to hear about food and food prices, including talking about farmers. There are many farmers in my riding. We think it is really important to have transparency. Just briefly, what is the need for food transparency? The member was alluding to the fact that Quebec already has some regulations. Could he also elaborate on the regulations we have in Quebec?
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Mr. Speaker, I think we need to take this bill for what it is: a bill that will support victims, that respects the legal framework and that will not be challenged before the Supreme Court. I think what we are doing is extremely important. I am speaking in the strongest possible terms. My colleague and I have worked very well together. I think we share the same concerns about women, children and vi…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his very pertinent question. It is completely unacceptable for women and children to end up in violent situations. As I said, it leaves lasting marks and scars that can stay with them throughout their lives. Are we doing enough? I would say that we can never do enough. We are taking a really meaningful step here to support these women, to reassur…
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Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Hamilton Mountain. Today's debate on Bill C-16 brings us to a topic that is both difficult and essential, a simple and fundamental question: Do our laws really protect women and children who are victims of violence as much as they should? One of the Canadian values that is close to my heart is how we protect the most vulnerable. That is wh…
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Mr. Speaker, I certainly have. Not only do police associations support this bill, but so do victims' rights organizations, as well as the provinces and territories. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities also applauded this bill. Yes, police forces across the country welcome the bill. We have a bill that has achieved consensus across all spheres. I really hope that my colleagues on the other si…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister announced earlier this week that Canada is going to present a bid to host the Sommet de la Francophonie in 2028. That is great news. This major event, which brings together the world's francophone countries, will have significant cultural and economic benefits. I wonder if the Minister of Foreign Affairs could tell us what this bid might mean for Canada if we are se…
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Mr. Speaker, last week, despite obstruction and the stalling efforts of Conservatives, we successfully referred Bill C-12 back to the House. This legislation is critical to securing our borders, strengthening our immigration system and keeping Canadians safe. Can the Minister of Public Safety tell Canadians why this legislation is essential to ensuring their safety and protection?
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question. Trade between Canada and the U.S. is highly integrated. We are currently experiencing instability due to our relations with the U.S. Canadian businesses, including businesses in my region, are looking for new markets. The Government of Canada will award them contracts through its buy Canadian strategy, through the investments it will ma…
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Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to rise today to speak to budget initiatives that will have a positive effect on my constituents, the people of Compton—Stanstead in the Eastern Townships. Compton—Stanstead is a wonderful region that extends from Lake Memphremagog to Mont‑Mégantic. It shares a border with the United States and includes a good part of the city of Sherbrooke. It is a very diverse re…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche for being so actively involved in our caucus and for presenting so many good ideas to help take the regions of Quebec, New Brunswick and all of Canada to the next level. He asked an excellent question about temporary foreign workers, who have a major impact on rural areas. People are concerned that some of these workers might go, leaving…
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Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that my colleague is talking about housing because affordable housing is one of the sectors where we are investing the most. I am very proud of that, because the initiatives we are rolling out will make it easy for the regions to access these measures. Build Canada Homes will allow us to cut red tape and make the criteria broad enough so that regions like mine and sm…
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Mr. Speaker, in regions like mine, the Eastern Townships, we have local media and cultural organizations, both anglophone and francophone, that play an essential role in keeping us informed and keeping our culture alive. Today, with the rise of digital technology and globalization, the ways we stay informed and consume culture are evolving. I would like to ask the Minister of Canadian Identity and…
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Mr. Speaker, the independence of the RCMP is a fundamental principle of our democracy, and it is a principle that all responsible leaders should uphold, not undermine. Last week, the leader of the Conservative Party chose to attack the RCMP, accusing it of covering up scandals and engaging in political manoeuvring. These remarks are irresponsible and cast doubt on an institution that is responsibl…
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Mr. Speaker, this being Women's History Month, I would like to pay tribute to a trail-blazing woman in municipal politics: Françoise Bouchard, the outgoing mayor of Dixville. Originally from the Eastern Townships, Ms. Bouchard was the first female city manager, the first female municipal councillor and the first female mayor of her town. She made local history with her fierce commitment, her indom…
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Mr. Speaker, the government recently announced measures to mitigate the financial crisis at Canada Post, which is losing $10 million a day. Those measures include lifting the moratorium on rural post offices. I want to remind members of the critical role that these post offices play in rural communities by maintaining services and social ties. In my riding, municipalities like Compton, Stanstead, …
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Bishop's University in my riding of Compton—Stanstead, the alma mater of two esteemed colleagues, the members for Victoria and for Etobicoke—Lakeshore. Despite the school's small size, with fewer than 3,000 students, the Gaiters brought home five championship titles last year. The men's and women's golf teams successfully competed at the…
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Mr. Speaker, I find it interesting that my colleague is talking this way about the Liberal record when the Liberals took office after a Conservative government that had made deep cuts to science, which helps our farmers have access to better technologies. The Conservative government had also made cuts to risk management programs and to the sustainable Canadian agricultural partnership. Our governm…
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Mr. Speaker, I always feel great pride when I talk about agriculture and how our farmers in Quebec are leaders in sustainable agriculture. They do a lot, and they get help from both the federal and provincial governments. They are facing great difficulties because of climate change. I believe that with the help of both levels of government, the determination of farmers, and numerous scientific ini…
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Mr. Speaker, the member's speech was very interesting. She is very active in her region, and she is very committed. What are the initiatives from our government that the member thinks will have the biggest impact on affordability for her community?
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Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in today's debate. I will be sharing my time with the member for Pickering—Brooklin. My colleagues across the aisle and I share the same concern about the cost of living. This is something I hear about regularly in my riding of Compton—Stanstead. During the election campaign and over the summer, I visited all 36 municipalities in my riding. I…
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Mr. Speaker, like my colleague, I have a keen interest in agriculture. I have had the privilege of going with him to meet with farmers in his constituency, one of those visits being after hurricane Fiona struck Nova Scotia in 2022. I would like my colleague to tell us more about the impact climate change is having on farmers, the measures our government is taking and the effect this is having on f…
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Mr. Speaker, one of the major causes of food inflation is climate change. My colleagues across the way seem unwilling to admit that. Climate change is having an incredibly significant impact on agriculture. I am anxious for my colleagues across the House to recognize that and to support our efforts to help farmers become increasingly resilient.
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Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague. One of the major challenges facing the agricultural sector is ensuring that the provinces, the federal government and the territories agree on implementing programs that are important for Canada as a whole. I believe that everyone must come to an agreement so that the programs are tailored to the reality of each region.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her very interesting presentation on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, as well as on the use of the notwithstanding clause. Can my colleague elaborate on the use of the notwithstanding clause, in particular its pre-emptive use, which is at the heart of today's debate?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, this is Gender Equality Week, so I would like to highlight the fundamental role of women in agriculture. For generations, they have been pillars of support who have too often remained in the shadows. Today, they are finally taking their rightful place with strength and determination. I would like to highlight the remarkable work of Agricultrices du Québec, an organization that promote…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague was interrupted as he was explaining the difference between using the notwithstanding clause and using it pre-emptively. I would like to give him time to finish that thought.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me the opportunity to point out that many of us on this side of the House come from Quebec. We are proud to represent Quebec's interests, and we fight every day here in Ottawa to achieve the best outcomes for Quebeckers. We will continue to do so. I will give another example that my colleague may have seen in recent years. We signed an asymmetrical agre…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, who recognizes just how much of a leader Quebec is in the aerospace industry. Quebec is also a leader in artificial intelligence. We are going to need these skills in the coming years to build the economy we are talking about. I would like to add something else: In my region, a lot of people are employed by the automotive and rubber industries. I think that we wi…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to respond to the motion put forward by the Bloc Québécois, which raises concerns about the carbon rebate that was paid out in April 2025. Let us start with the facts. First, the April 2025 rebate was not a surprise announcement, contrary to what some might suggest. It was not a one-time election initiative, but the continuation, and also the conclusion, of a federal poli…
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Mr. Speaker, we currently have an outstanding plan to build a Canadian economy. First, we need to break down barriers between the provinces, which is an unique initiative that should have been done a long time ago. Second, we need a plan to ensure that Canada is a superpower, especially when it comes to energy. All the initiatives we are going to undertake will move forward with the agreement of a…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, that was an historic meeting. Earlier today, some members of the House called it a love-in. When it feels like everyone is working toward the same goal of creating one economy out of 13, we know that we are going to create a lot of wealth in this country. We must build on collaboration between the regions, between the provinces, to ensure that we become more autonomous, more independe…
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Mr. Speaker, supply management is indeed a priority. Legislation aside, negotiations with the U.S. government have already started. What we need now is a strong commitment from the government not to cave, but to uphold supply management. The Liberal Party has made that commitment. It is the party that created supply management. That is the first commitment our Prime Minister made when he ran for t…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I want to acknowledge my colleague from Winnipeg South for his involvement in the environment, climate change and water quality. He is very involved in all these issues. I want to come back to what my other colleague was saying. What is the government doing to ensure Canada's long-term resilience with respect to climate change, which is having a growing impact not just in Manitoba, …
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Mr. Speaker, it is with great humility and determination that I rise today to deliver my maiden speech in the House of Commons. I do so with a great sense of responsibility to the people of Compton—Stanstead, who put their trust in me and sent me here with a clear mandate. I thank them very much for that. I want to be a strong, engaged and authentic voice for them, a voice for the regions that tru…
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Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, just this past weekend, there was a femicide in my riding. Rates of domestic violence are alarming, and we need to tackle this issue head on. That is why we have gun control. Gun violence and domestic abuse often go hand in hand. We really need to protect our citizens. Our government is taking action. Our government believes in a safe society. We will continue to work t…
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Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his re-election. I listened very carefully to his speech, which I found to be divisive. However, what I heard during the election campaign was a desire to be more united than ever and to feel close to our fellow Canadians as Quebeckers in order to present a united front against the division sown by the United States. The deeply sovereignist talk from my …
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on his election. Like his predecessor, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, he has been as strong advocate for the agriculture sector. As a dairy farmer himself, he understands the importance of supply management for Canadian farmers. While my Bloc Québécois colleagues say that supply management is not being adequately protected, our government has tak…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on her re-election. She has had the privilege of being chosen by her constituents to represent them several times now. That is inspiring for new members like me. She rightly talked about reducing interprovincial trade barriers. That is likely a way to help all Canadians get through the current crisis and deal with the challenges we are facing …
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from the Eastern Townships for his speech, and I congratulate him on his election. Given his party's sometimes flexible positions on supply management, I would like to know my colleague's position on supply management for producers in the Eastern Townships.
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon on her re-election. I would like to remind her that the Liberal government demonstrated its commitment to seniors by increasing old age security for those aged 75 and up, investing in home care and helping make medication more affordable. Our government also rolled out the dental care plan for all seniors and …
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Mr. Speaker, I would first like to congratulate my colleague on her re-election in Sherbrooke and thank her for her help and leadership in our region. I would like to come back to what she said about working closely with her Eastern Townships colleagues. How does she intend to develop and continue her work with her colleagues so that the Eastern Townships are stronger and the wishes of the regions…
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