Pierre Paul-Hus

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of failures in military procurement, the Liberals found a solution: create even more bureaucracy. The Defence Investment Agency has yet to deliver any new equipment to our military members, and its chief executive officer reportedly wanted to leave because he was frustrated with the slow pace of the system. However, with Bill C‑40, the Liberals want to turn this agency into a Crown corporation. Our military does not need a new agency. It needs equipment. Why is the Liberals' answer to failure even more bureaucracy?

Mr. Speaker, what we are seeing with the Defence Investment Agency is that they are already picking winners. We know that Saab's GlobalEye aircraft was selected as the preferred option, without any real competition and without proper consultation with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Now, with Bill C‑40, we run the risk of further reducing parliamentary oversight. Will the minister guarantee that no contract will be awarded under the table?

Mr. Speaker, federal corrections officers face assaults, makeshift weapons and drug overdoses on a daily basis, yet since October 1, patrol posts and other essential resources have been cut, endangering the safety and even the lives of penitentiary staff. The Minister of Public Safety visited Donnacona Institution and, rather than meeting with officers who are risking their lives, he chose to ask inmates if they were comfortable. Will this Liberal minister understand that his responsibility is also to protect the people who work in our prisons before coddling violent criminals?

Mr. Speaker, I do not think the minister visits the same places I do. I have been to Donnacona twice. My colleagues have visited the prisons in La Macaza and Drummond. We have seen what is going on in federal prisons, and it is a total disaster. For the past 10 years, ever since this government introduced their changes, working in these facilities is nothing short of hell. Prisoners have all the rights and face no consequences since Bill C-83 came into force. Now, there are cuts to frontline resources, patrols and officers in key areas. It is not working. Has the minister visited the same prisons as I have, yes or no?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating Paul St‑Pierre Plamondon, the new Premier of Quebec, as well as all the new members of the National Assembly. I would also like to highlight a historic moment for the Conservative movement in Quebec. For the first time in more than 90 years, members elected under the Conservative banner will sit in the National Assembly. Under the leadership of Éric Duhaime, the Conservative Party of Quebec made a major breakthrough by getting 19 members elected. Now Conservatives will have a voice in Quebec City. I want to congratulate Mr. Duhaime and his team for a job well done. As the Leader of the Opposition said, the federal Conservatives will work with all members of the National Assembly to lower the cost of living, protect jobs, keep our communities safe, reform our immigration system and put Canada first. I wish all the newly elected members an excellent term serving Quebeckers.