Parliamentary Speeches
290 speeches by Marie-Hélène Gaudreau — Page 1 of 6
Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, tonight, the fundamental question is: Why debate this motion in the House? This question seems very simple, but it is crucial to me. Since I have been a member of the House of Commons, I have rarely seen orders of reference from the House to committees, other than for questions of privilege. I have seen my share of questions of privilege. I sat on the Standing Committee on Procedure a…
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Mr. Speaker, my question is simple. Why are we debating Motion No. 16 here, rather than with my colleague on the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates?
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Mr. Speaker, after last year's heartbreaking cancellation due to a lack of snow, the women's giant slalom world cup is finally back at Mont Tremblant this weekend. This is great news for everyone who loves alpine skiing. Hosting a world cup event is more than an honour; it is a mark of international recognition. It shows that our know-how ranks among the best in the world when it comes to hosting …
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague whether he heard the response from Quebec's former finance minister when I asked him a question and told him that investments are assets and equipment. Investing in loans and in tax cuts is an economic lever, but no one can convince me that that is an investment, per se. Would my colleague agree that the current budget is nothing more than smoke and mi…
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Mr. Speaker, three weeks ago, we proposed all sorts of measures to help the forestry industry. On Friday, I learned that my riding of Laurentides—Labelle will also be affected. Groupe Crête, which has three mills, just announced that it is closing its mill in Mont-Blanc for three months as of January, and yet we have solutions. Can my colleague tell us once again what we need to do to save our for…
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Mr. Speaker, we are discussing a very important topic today, and I find it reassuring that we are able to talk about it. I hope that we will be able to vote on this bill quickly. In my speech this morning, I will explain the content of Bill S-225, but I will also talk about what I experienced before becoming an MP. Members may not be aware, but I worked in community organizations for many years. I…
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Madam Speaker, thank you for maintaining order here in the House. That is the way it should be. I want to highlight that and tell you how much I appreciate it. I just came from a committee meeting where, once again, there was a lot of partisan behaviour. It was all very performative. I am tired of the debate focusing on whether or not people voted against the budget. Can we please talk about the r…
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Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to ask my colleague a question. The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met with the Parliamentary Budget Officer. I had a very simple question for him, namely, what is an investment? He replied, of course, that it is capital put into equipment or a means of production, and that it therefore falls under the category of as…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, November 11 is an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by our veterans. The symbol we wear, the poppy, represents the fields of Flanders, in Belgium, where so many battles of the First World War took place. This moment of remembrance is important. Symbols are important, yes. What really matters, however, is that we take care of our own. It might come as a surprise that a memb…
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Madam Speaker, let us talk about public safety. There are ways of making that work. Bill C-14 covers six major points that the Bloc Québécois thinks are very worthwhile. The Conservatives see everything as black or white. Quite honestly, we need to take the time to properly evaluate the weight of this bill in committee in order to legislate on public safety and appropriately modernize the law.
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Madam Speaker, my colleague just mentioned that it is important to have strong legislation, rules and laws as long as we give judges the opportunity to make an assessment. Think about a criminal who has stolen a car for the first time versus one who has committed acts of physical violence against other people or even caused death. I think we can agree that those are two very different things. It w…
Read full speech →Statements by members
Mr. Speaker, culture in the regions is fundamental to creation, dissemination and our artists. Today, I would like to pay tribute to Sonia Piché, the former director of Théâtre du Marais in Val‑Morin. She is now retired, but she can be proud of her legacy as we celebrate the theatre's 25th anniversary. At the celebration last month, she said, “Culture nourishes people. It does people good. There s…
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Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's speech and I thank him for it. However, I would like to share an additional concern with the House. We hope that there will be some changes in committee to allow for impartiality when there is a ruling. This being said, the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs is currently studying the issue of suicide among veterans. Does my colleague agree th…
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Mr. Speaker, it is easy to point fingers at the government in power but I would like to ask my colleague a question. How is it that the Conservatives had the nerve to appoint a chief of the defence staff whose record was not unblemished?
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Mr. Speaker, we simply need to look at how the complaints process works. Even here, in the House of Commons, we have a system that prevents us from being unethical and stopping anyone from reporting an incident and filing a complaint. The process will be specifically designed to allow the people who examine and analyze these situations to function as a wholly separate and impartial justice system.
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Mr. Speaker, I would rather not go into detail on that, because, on top of everything, based on what we are hearing at the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs in particular, there is a knowledge gap when it comes to the services available and the process for either filing a complaint or pursuing legal action. We need to take stock, to determine whether we have everything we need to support vict…
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Mr. Speaker, today, it is my turn to address the House, and I do so as the Bloc Québécois critic for veterans affairs. Because of my background in psychosociology, I see victims in a very specific light. The Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs is looking at various issues facing veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. For instance, these men and women may attempt suicide or develop substa…
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Mr. Speaker, with respect to the objective of this bill, all we need to do is think about a person who files a complaint against someone who has the authority to retaliate or make threats and change their life. Essentially, we have been waiting 10 years for this problem to be addressed. This is a first step. I am certain that in committee, among parliamentarians, all members will be able to work o…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Government Transformation likes to remind us that there was a strike at Canada Post a year ago. He keeps repeating that the government is losing $10 million a day with Canada Post, but he forgets that during last year's strike, independent businesses criticized the government's inaction because the strike was costing them $100 million a day. By causing the postal servi…
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Mr. Speaker, before the Liberals got involved, mail was being delivered. Since they got involved, the postal service has ground to a halt. The regions, small businesses and the most vulnerable are paying the price. Before the Liberals got involved, Canada Post was presenting serious offers. Now, we have never been further from an agreement and we wonder how the parties are ever going to agree. We …
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Mr. Speaker, the postal crisis is getting worse, and it is entirely the federal government's fault. Canada Post presented its workers with a new collective agreement offer on Friday. That offer was worse than the previous one, which had been rejected. Canada Post is taking advantage of the balance of power it has thanks to the federal government to intimidate its employees and try to force them to…
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Mr. Speaker, let us just say right off the bat that this issue should have been resolved decades ago. When I hear people say that the government has not been proactive enough since the recommendation was made in 2021, I feel like answering that both parties need to look in the mirror. The Bloc Québécois obviously agrees that it is about time. I am vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Veterans A…
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Mr. Speaker, it is quite a thing to deliver a speech about something one has experienced first hand. My question is very simple. Everyone knows that this bill was desperately needed. However, will my colleague also be able to devote all her energy to helping everyone who may have been or may become victims, both our veterans and employees of National Defence? Can she ensure that she will be there …
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Mr. Speaker, earlier, I asked my colleague whether anything would be done to address the needs of people with post-traumatic stress or people who have been the victims of physical harm. Obviously, she told me that there definitely would be. How is my colleague going to manage things with an upcoming 5% increase in defence spending and only a few days left to check and see whether funds will also b…
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Mr. Speaker, it is rare to see all the parties agree to move a bill forward through the legislative process. From what I understand, everything will get done in committee. I see that there is goodwill and that members want to make good recommendations and pass a good bill. Will my colleague's party lend a hand so that we can finally carry out this agenda that should have been implemented years ago…
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Mr. Speaker, I must say that my colleague clearly explained the events that took place. Earlier, I tried to explain what happened with both parties here, and I hope this bill will not die on the Order Paper. Why? Every week, I meet with people who say that they have been the victims of alleged sexual misconduct, harassment and so on. For veterans who are watching at home right now, does my colleag…
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Mr. Speaker, thousands of postal workers are wondering if their job is disappearing. They were not consulted. Thousands of men and women who are waiting for a cheque, a passport or another important document are wondering how they will get it back. They were not consulted. Thousands of businesses, SMEs especially, are wondering how their products will be distributed. They were not consulted either…
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Mr. Speaker, the postal crisis was brought on by the federal government. The best example is passports. People waiting for passports that will not arrive on time have to go to a Service Canada office to get one and pay hundreds of dollars. As it turns out, Service Canada reports to the same minister. It is clear that the minister did not even think to look for solutions for people before kicking o…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, September 25, the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement announced a major overhaul of Canada's postal services. Even though Canada Post and its employees have been negotiating for two years, the government intervened in the negotiations, leading to a general strike by postal workers, which has had a significant impact on the entire population…
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Mr. Speaker, this government is to blame for the postal crisis. It announced that it was overhauling Canada Post but did not even consult the workers. They found out about it in the news. Now, no one is getting their mail. Some people are not getting their cheques or have to travel to pick them up. Businesses are having to improvise to get their parcels delivered. Quebec is afraid that no one will…
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Mr. Speaker, modernizing Canada Post should not mean abandoning people with reduced mobility or Quebeckers in the regions. The minister did not adequately consult Quebeckers. He comes here today with what looks like a one-size-fits-all federal reform that does not take into account the specific needs on the ground. He must ensure that people with reduced mobility continue to receive their mail at …
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Mr. Speaker, I feel like I have stepped decades back in time. It hardly even seems like 2025 anymore. Nowadays, the topic of our discussion is outdated. The 21st century is supposed to be a time for a big energy transition. Here we are, however, still talking about pipelines, oil and relaxed regulations. Do members talk to their constituents on the weekend? The public is against those things. Why …
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Mr. Speaker, I want to get back to the subject at hand. Those who are watching us are wondering what is going on. First, the government is buying pipelines; then, the opposition wants to repeal anything and everything related to the oil sector's emissions cap. I do not understand. Should we believe the Auditor General and the environment commissioner or not? Our emissions reduction targets are not…
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Mr. Speaker, how can Canada possibly meet its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets? That would require 40 megatonnes a year in reductions by 2030, starting now. Canada has committed to reducing them by 40% to 45%. I will now quote our analyst at the Canadian Climate Institute, Ross Linden-Fraser, who said, “We saw zero megatonnes of reductions in 2024, and we are seeing fewer climate po…
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Mr. Speaker, I wonder if my colleague thinks it is time to put a cost on climate change. Everyone is trying to say that it is a need, that we need oil. Where are my 77 colleagues from Quebec when we know full well that it is in Quebec that we are going to succeed in maintaining, if not reducing, our greenhouse gas emissions? We have already proven it. Does my colleague agree that we are going to h…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Michel Bolduc in the House today because he has been an important pillar of Mont‑Laurier's social fabric for over 30 years. As a social worker with certification in the areas of mental health and addictions, Michel Bolduc has been an authority on homelessness in Quebec. I had the privilege of working with him for many years, and I have seen how he never gives up. W…
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Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to be back in the House. It feels like the start of a new school year. That being said, today, we are dealing with a subject that merits reflection, but that I think we need to move forward on. I say this as a member of the Bloc Québécois. Bill C-3 is a step in the right direction. I say that because of something that I witnessed recently. I want to give a shout-ou…
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Madam Speaker, when we talk about Bill C‑5, we are talking about human beings, about families. Let me be clear: The Bloc Québécois will be supporting the bill. Just because we are members of the Bloc Québécois does not mean we think only about the people of Quebec. Among other things, there are real people behind this inequity, which has been described as unconstitutional. Despite the opposition a…
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Mr. Speaker, if the government cannot prove that it has everything it needs to balance the budget or at least keep the deficit as low as possible, it is because it gives us the impression that it is the world's leading expert on the economy. Unfortunately, that does not hold water. People are worried, and we are wondering what will happen in the coming months with regard to our finances and the fi…
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Mr. Speaker, I would first like to congratulate my new Liberal colleague. Speaking of homework, we could make a list of important things for the government to do. Does my colleague agree with me that, if we are to agree on measures, then the first thing on the government's homework list should be to table a budget?
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Mr. Speaker, since this is the first time I am speaking in this new Parliament, I will take the opportunity to say a few thank yous. I have had the privilege and honour of representing the people of Laurentides—Labelle since 2019. This is my third term. First, I want to thank the 23,615 people who chose the Bloc Québécois. To all the others, as I said during the election campaign, I want them to k…
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Mr. Speaker, my question is fairly simple. Speaking of common sense, on Friday, Ottawa was the most polluted city in the world because of the forest fires that are unfortunately out of control. Now Europe is being affected. Does my colleague agree that climate change is caused by the fossil fuel industry?
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Mr. Speaker, I always appreciate genuine collaboration. I spoke of goodies because, when money is given away, what people do with it is beyond the government's control. I would like to see some concrete figures showing that any additional money given is used for survival purposes. The day I have those figures, I will discuss the matter again. I would like to take this opportunity to talk about cli…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague because I forgot to mention that. That is another concrete example. Just ask an actuary. When they plug in the numbers, they can see that it costs a lot more for people to insure their property these days. Not only does the government need to table a budget, but it also needs to recognize that climate change is costing us a lot of money. That is what…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay tribute to Amélie Duceppe. That last name may ring a bell for some of my colleagues. They probably know about the Duceppe theatre company, which she heads, and its long tradition of excellence in Quebec theatre. The newspaper Les Affaires has honoured Amélie Duceppe as president and CEO of the year for 2024 in the social economy category. After her aunt Louise pass…
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Madam Speaker, on May 15, at Quebec's symposium on sustainable tourism, more than 100 stakeholders in Quebec's winter tourism sector sounded the alarm. Lack of snow is threatening to plunge winter tourism into an unprecedented crisis. Last Saturday, that threat became a reality. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation, in conjunction with the resort, cancelled the Alpine Ski World Cup women…
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Mr. Speaker, of course, things are different in Quebec, and there will be a shortfall. However, I am primarily concerned about the real cost to individuals. I am no tax expert, but from a tax perspective, it is certainly something of a headache. There will be enormous consequences, if only in terms of corporate taxes or filing corporate returns. This will clearly be harmful to Quebec and we have n…
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Mr. Speaker, if we vote against the bill tonight, we should not do so just because we are in the opposition, and if we vote for the bill, we should not do so just because we think that, when all is said and done, it might help a few people. We need to look at the big picture. I am not going to ask my colleague why she is voting in favour of the bill, but I will ask her the following question. Does…
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Mr. Speaker, it is one thing for someone who earns $100,000 to get a temporary discount on luxury items. However, people who are using food banks are spending their money on necessities that are not even taxed. These people will not be going out to eat in restaurants. They still will not be able to afford to. If we really want to help those people, we need to look at the necessities: a roof over o…
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Mr. Speaker, how about some mixed Liberal-NDP improv? The theme is: climbing in the polls. The duration is: the length of time allocation. This is like bad improv. Quebec's national improv league could do better—at least they are prepared for what they are getting into. I am ashamed of what I am seeing. I wish it were a joke or just a skit, but unfortunately it is not. What we are witnessing is to…
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