Parliamentary Speeches
364 speeches by Marie-Hélène Gaudreau — Page 7 of 8
Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I usually have notes, but I have pulled out my report, which is now a year and a few months old. Here it is with the highlights. Of course, we must acknowledge the work that was done with the ultimate goal of helping all Quebeckers and Canadians to get through the pandemic. That said, some of the things that were done warranted review. This review, which took several months, concern…
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Madam Speaker, I am going to take my time, because the whole day I have had the opportunity to rise a few times in order to ask where we are going with the whole situation. I think that today we understand that we have to seize these opportunities. During my first term, I was introduced to and given the role of critic on issues pertaining to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I have a simple question for my colleague. What does he say to people who know that their French‑speaking nation is in decline, who are fighting, breathing through a straw and calling for even a modicum of respect to avoid becoming minimized in Quebec? It is all well and good to keep the same number of seats, but what about proportionality? How are we supposed to interpret the fact …
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak to Bill S-216, which seeks to amend the Income Tax Act. I will begin by saying that the Bloc Québécois is in favour of this bill, which eases the fiscal framework for non-profit organizations, or NPOs. For the benefit of those listening in today, I will say that the bill relaxes certain fiscal measures for charitable organizations. Essentially, it amends the In…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague a very simple question. First I would like to say that I am happy to see this bill back after a year. In addition to having had to face the pandemic in the past two years, non-profit and charitable organizations have been letting us know for decades that they need money to ensure the viability of community services. This bill is only the tip of the i…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, many Bloc Québécois supporters contributed to our party's fundraiser in support of Ukraine. On behalf of all our members, I warmly thank everyone who made a donation. We collected $35,000, which was donated to the Red Cross. This amount will be boosted to $70,000 because the federal government is matching donations. It will obviously take more to overcome the horror we are seeing and …
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Madam Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his clarification. In Quebec there are no less than 24,000 members of the Hindu community in Montreal. The Bloc Québécois is obviously in favour of occasions to promote culture and heritage. My question for my colleague is the following: What is the reason behind my colleague moving this motion at this time to declare November Hindu heritage month?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today it is my pleasure to share some good news. The Dagenais family, which has been in the hardware business in Saint-Sauveur in my riding, Laurentides—Labelle, since 1928, has been awarded two prizes. The first is the heritage prize from the Association québécoise de la quincaillerie et des matériaux de construction, and the second is the prestigious builder of success prize awarded…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's speech. However, there is one thing that he did not mention, and that is the “Agri-vert”, or agri-green, program. We are very disappointed. Agriculture is very important in my riding of Laurentides—Labelle and during the pandemic we realized just how valuable our farmers really are. People on the ground wanted to see a better agri-green program…
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Madam Speaker, the government started out by saying that now is not the time to talk about health transfers, yet the budget it presented seems more like a postpandemic budget. Considering that Quebec and the provinces are demanding an unconditional transfer and considering that my colleague is quite familiar with the situation in Quebec, what does he think about the proposal to hold a health summi…
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Mr. Speaker, my question is very simple. Considering what we have been hearing in recent days, what public health authorities are saying in Quebec, and the fact that there is now a sixth wave, I can understand the feeling of being totally fed up that people are talking about. However, I feel like we are not connecting. On the one hand, we are hearing about concrete solutions with health transfers …
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Mr. Speaker, we have been debating for a few hours already, and we always come back to the same thing. We understand very well that banks are being asked to contribute and that the 3% surtax is necessary for a redistribution of wealth. Earlier, I was asking my NDP colleague whether he would vote in favour of any Bloc Québécois measures to address the problems we have experienced and are now experi…
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Madam Speaker, I listened carefully to what my colleague said, and I understand one thing. I get the impression that the more proposals and measures we come up with to deal with a situation like inflation and the problems associated with growing vulnerability, the more the government puts its head in the sand. There are parties in the House that have a lot of proposals, and there is not much time …
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, the Laurentian region FADOQ, a Quebec network of senior citizens, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. I think it is important to mark the occasion, because this organization makes a huge difference in the lives of seniors aged 50 and up in the region. Unlike what some people might think, the FADOQ does not just host leisure activities for seniors. It also helps to combat is…
Read full speech →Orders Of The Day
Madam Speaker, I look forward to talking to my colleague in French. To answer her question, the point has just been proven. Removing the Ambassador Bridge blockade was possible because law enforcement took the bull by the horns and agreed on a strategy that could have been used in the early days of the blockade. Law enforcement coordinated their efforts and dismantled the blockade. Was it because …
Read full speech →Orders Of The Day
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Montcalm for his very relevant question. Indeed, we are waiting for the government to demonstrate that. When a motion is moved to invoke the Emergencies Act, there must be an emergency, a danger to the public or a public health problem. Canada or its public health must be facing some sort of danger. As I demonstrated in my speech, there have been so many ot…
Read full speech →Orders Of The Day
Madam Speaker, I would first like to thank my colleague for her remarks, which are very relevant to me. Members will understand what I mean when I deliver my speech later. My question is this. Considering that the Ambassador Bridge was cleared before this order was in effect, and with what just happened in the parliamentary precinct, where authorities managed to clear out protesters with the rules…
Read full speech →Orders Of The Day
Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question. I think we need to put these issues into perspective. People also need to understand the role of the Bloc Québécois. The Bloc has always maintained that the interests of Quebec are what matter most to the party. We support what is good for Quebec. Did the Quebec National Assembly vote unanimously in favour of this law? The answer is no. It…
Read full speech →Orders Of The Day
Madam Speaker, a few moments ago, I heard that there is still a lot happening at the Ambassador Bridge. Knowing that the blockade at the Ambassador Bridge was dismantled before the act was invoked, does my colleague believe that the act, which is in force at this time, will be essential to completing the efforts, that is to continue ensuring the safety and peace of people in that area?
Read full speech →Orders Of The Day
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for some of the things he said, especially his appreciation of the work done by the police. I fully agree with him: they did fantastic work. I would like to ask a question about the authorities and the police. I heard him say that public safety, jobs and businesses were very important to him. We know that the siege lasted for over three weeks. Is my colleague te…
Read full speech →Orders Of The Day
Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that I will be splitting my time with my esteemed colleague from Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou. On this day of debate on the Emergencies Act, I would first like to offer my thanks to all the staff in the House, namely the clerks, the interpreters, the pages, the security officers and the cooks, among others. I also thank the reporters and their tea…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Windsor West. I have heard the concerns he is talking about from Joyce and Mohammed, among others. I feel for my colleague who has not been able to see his daughter. The order has been in effect since Monday, but we see that the situation in his community has not been fully resolved. I know that my colleague will be voting in favour of the application of this…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank my colleague from Edmonton Strathcona. The things I have heard, observed and understood are deeply appalling. That said, one remark made me think of something. We can support the use of this act and vote in favour of it on Monday knowing the process can be stopped automatically, which is what we want. I think what just happened at the parliamentary precinct…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking my colleague for mentioning that we are experiencing a crisis of trust. I witnessed the WE Charity saga. The first thing I thought was, how could our government be trusted? We are seeing unreasonable and disproportionate measures right now, and it is going to dawn on people that what has happened in the last few days is not because of the order. I w…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, perhaps it is because it is very late in the day today, February 14, but I am somewhat shocked. I am especially shocked by my colleague, who is so knowledgeable. She said that they want to save lives and prevent senseless deaths, so why did people on my street have to go through triaging because health care services were not available? It is because there was not enough money, not bec…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, my riding, Laurentides—Labelle, and my colleague's riding, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, are both in the Laurentian region. The health care network in the Laurentian region is in urgent need of assistance. People who work in this sector point out that there is a labour shortage across the region. There is no money for staffing or modernization. Although I trust that there will be health t…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish all members a happy Valentine's Day, and I hope they will have a bit of time to celebrate later tonight. I would like to ask the minister a question. First of all, in his speech, he talked about working closely with Quebec and the provinces and territories to find solutions and get through the pandemic. However, they unanimously stated that one of the measures tha…
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Mr. Speaker, on this Valentine's Day evening, I will be sharing my time with my colleague from La Pointe-de-l'Île. I would also like to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to my partner, Yanick Thibault. We have been together for 26 years, and I thank him for sharing me with all the people of Laurentides—Labelle. We have spent several hours today talking about Bill C‑10, which provides for a…
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Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, there are several conditions for success. Of course, to make something happen, it has to be repeated. That is what I have learned from federal politics. I tell my kids that they have to do a thing a thousand and one times. That is what we are doing. Many things are important, such as providing rapid tests and injecting one-time payments to meet a need. Those are part o…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. I would say, essentially, that jurisdictions must be respected. In other words, trust the expertise of each province when it comes to what services are needed. When we talk about health transfers, obviously they must be unconditional, because it is the provinces that have the expertise, not the federal government. The provinces have everything it…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague. I heard the words “predictability”, “expertise” and “jurisdiction". We must trust the people who have been saying for several months that they would have done things differently. Instead of crushing and pressuring the health care system, which broke down in Quebec, I believe we could have already introduced new solutions. In the end, with predictability and money…
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Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague from Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, and I wish him a happy Valentine’s Day as well. I would like to know why we have seen a dramatic change in health transfers since the 1960s. We are well aware that what the federal government was really interested in was the world exchanges, what was happening in international markets and its position on the inter…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Film Laurentides, also known as the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision des Laurentides, was created in 1997 to serve film producers from Quebec and abroad seeking to shoot a film in the region. It has since become a leading authority in the industry. The agency is in its 25th year of providing film support and promotion services. Over the course of the year, this success will be ack…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, there is so much to say, but I really only want to take 10 minutes. Today, we are talking about the opioid crisis, which affects every province. Quebec is no exception. The problem is that long‑term opioid use can build tolerance and therefore lead to the use of higher doses and ultimately addiction. We all have someone close to us who can be physically or psychologically affected, wh…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have some good news for my colleague. In light of the recommendations and these proposals, we obviously agree that this is a public health issue. Decriminalization also needs to be revisited. As I mentioned, we will support it. If the overall situation is similar to what is happening in Montreal, we need to act quickly. We would be pleased to examine everything so that, in 2022, we …
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Mr. Speaker, before I was elected, I did frontline intervention in the 2000s. One of the most remarkable things I witnessed was the key moment in the lives of vulnerable people who are given access to substances to help them with this problem. Obviously, when we talk about being there for people and providing them with resources to prevent them from becoming even more vulnerable, this includes mak…
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Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from Victoria, because her French is excellent. I understood her very well. I am pleased to see that there are some things that can be done. It is what I was talking about earlier. A pioneer in this field, Dr. Robert, in Montreal, has created a model that works precisely to give people access to sites that help them avoid this tragedy. Can we provide such s…
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Mr. Speaker, what we are hearing is very touching, and the facts I will share in my speech will be just as touching. I think we are at a critical point. I am sorry to hear my colleague say that these initiatives keep dying on the Order Paper. I arrived here in 2019. How is it that, in 2022, with all the means and ideas that my colleagues are proposing and that I will be proposing later, we are una…
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Madam Chair, for the last hour and a half we have been discussing proposals that seem to reflect all of us a bit. I have a question for the minister. We are talking about a diversion process for simple possession with the support of frontline health services. This support would change everything and allow for training or detox treatment, an appropriate option in exchange for dropping charges. I wo…
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Madam Chair, I have a simple question for my colleague, who has expertise in the health field. Earlier, I spoke about interventions to prevent overdoses. One response to overdoses was to make naloxone universally and freely available. In Quebec for example, firefighters, paramedics and police officers use it to save lives. I would like to hear my colleague's views on this universal, free access to…
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Madam Chair, I heard my colleague talk about the need for statistics and monitoring. I will repeat the suggestions I made in my speech, and I would like to know if he believes that they make sense. When we talk about monitoring and intervention for overdose prevention and harm reduction, are activities that seek to provide information and raise awareness a good thing in his opinion? Do we need to …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, I have a very simple question for my colleague. Over the years, construction of new social housing units has fallen by the wayside. Now that we are confronting the harsh consequences of the past 20 years, my colleague seems to think, based on what I heard in her speech, that opioid use and addiction happen because people are seeking an escape. When people have financial difficulties o…
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Madam Speaker, what we are seeing is exactly what has been happening for months. We hear about divisions and bickering when they cannot seem to agree on vaccines and science within their own party. Sometimes they say that it is good to demonstrate, and other times they say it is illegal to stay in one place. Sometimes they say that vaccines are good, and other times they say that science proves ot…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague because I obviously agree with most of what she said. However, I would like her to rely on all her wisdom and experience to explain why Quebec, the provinces, organizations representing health care workers, and the public have been unanimously calling for immediate health transfers for months. The government will say that it gave billions of dollars to fight the…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I salute my colleague from Montcalm. What a good question. Why do that when all this is going on? The provinces, Quebec, the institutions and the economists studying inflation tell us that enough is enough. It is time to take action on health transfers. I do not know the answer to my colleague's question, but we are going to keep asking, because the government is the only one that doe…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague a question. Health transfers are needed to meet critical needs. Given that inflation has risen to an unprecedented rate of 4.8% and that supply problems will continue to grow, should we not hold the debate on health transfers now so that we can take action to deal with the pandemic?
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, this is my opportunity to talk about the throne speech. As my colleague mentioned earlier, a throne speech should reflect the broad strokes of the government's plans for the mandate it received in the last election. I understand that this government is disappointed to be in a minority situation. However, since its only objective was to win a majority at taxpayers' expense, it could ha…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague. I am hearing a heartfelt plea regarding the fragility of the economy in connection with fossil fuels. I understand that. When we talk about a move toward green energy, we know that we need to support businesses in that transition so that it is not disastrous for them. However, for now, there is nothing to indicate that the use of oil is good for the health of the…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. Once again, I am pleased to explain that there are examples to follow, such as the child care centres that have had a major impact on Quebec's economy over the past 25 years. We have already shown that our approach works, and I hope that it will be adopted as quickly as possible by the other provinces in order to help their economies. When we mak…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I have a simple question for my colleague. I have been hearing a lot about the lack of funding for the various crises, including the housing, health and inflation crises. My question for my colleague is this. With everything that is happening right now, what more does the government need when everyone knows that health transfers are crucial? What does my colleague think? Why does the …
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