Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes. I will learn the name of his riding since we work together fairly often. I like to see him working hard, persevering and getting down to business. That is what we will have to do. As for the question that he raised, I completely agree with him on the principle. Accountability rules are fundamental in our democracy. I am aware that t…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for introducing this important bill this morning. I should emphasize that this bill was co-developed, which is real progress. At the end of her speech, the minister reached out to us all when she used the word “together”. Let us allow that to inspire us in our work. There is one issue that is important to me, though. She said in her speech that modern treaties are…
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Mr. Speaker, this bill is essentially about justice for victims of the military and its lack of transparency. About 10 days ago, I attended the premiere of the film Out Standing, which is based on the life of Sandra Perron, Canada's first female infantry officer. It is an incredibly powerful film. She started an initiative called The Pepper Pod, which I would like to commend. Considering the bill …
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Mr. Speaker, obviously, there was a culture of silence. There was the Fish report and the Arbour report. Time passes and the Liberals have not taken action. What does the member think of the recommendations in this report? What should be put in place? I empathize with the victims who are waiting for answers from this Parliament that never come. What are we to do? The bill is interesting, but we ne…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton for his excellent speech and for raising the level of debate on such an important bill. Obviously, this culture of military silence has had very serious consequences for a great many victims. Speaking of silence, Minister Sajjan's silence spoke volumes. Going forward, this bill gives the minister greater responsibilities. W…
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Mr. Speaker, for the first time in history, a Quebec woman is a world champion in cycling. Magdeleine Vallières-Mill, a young woman from Sherbrooke with roots in the Gaspé region, has achieved something remarkable. She just won the rainbow jersey at the world road bike championships in Kigali, Rwanda, becoming only the third non-European cyclist to win this prize. She amazed the crowd with her rac…
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Madam Speaker, kuei, kwe. I rise today to acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, like the Huskies from Rouyn-Noranda, who are once again this year dedicating a special game to reconciliation with first nations in order to honour the indigenous children who were lost in the residential school system. This event is being organized in my riding in collaboration with the organizati…
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Mr. Speaker, it is rare that we get to ask a follow-up question. I want to keep talking about Bill C-5, because it could have an impact on the greenhouse gas emissions cap. In that regard, indigenous people are stewards of the land, and we thank them for that. Let us talk about the process. The Indian Act has been excluded from the laws that the committee, the group of close friends of the Privy C…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like my colleague to share his concerns about the future of the planet. We cannot keep developing oil and gas without worrying about the consequences. Doing away with environmental laws and protection mechanisms will obviously have consequences. At some point, what is going to happen? Is there any real concern over this or is this simply a race to be the best at job creation? …
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Mr. Speaker, my question for the member for Regina—Qu'Appelle is pretty simple: Do the Conservatives have no shame? The same week that the Canadian Climate Institute tells us that we will not be reaching our greenhouse gas emissions targets for 2030, the Conservatives bring up a matter that will produce even more greenhouse gas emissions. Personally, I cannot help but draw a parallel to what happe…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Winnipeg North for his speech, in which he boasted about Canada's investments in liquefied natural gas in Canada. He has also sung the praises of major projects of national interest and defended Bill C-5, going so far as to claim that it was drafted in collaboration with stakeholders from indigenous communities. Nearly all these communities, however, say that…
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Mr. Speaker, our U19 team showed off all its skills at the three-versus-three World Ball Hockey Championship final in Slovakia. Team Quebec won in the final with a score of 9–7. Can anyone guess who they beat? It was team Canada. The work of the Fondation Équipe-Québec and its president, Stefan Allinger-Cormier, is making a huge difference in young Quebeckers' lives by giving them the opportunity …
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Madam Speaker, I find it interesting that this member should lecture us on the tone and volume of speech in the House. That said, it is evidently the tone and volume to be expected in the coming year. In practical terms, I believe that one question remains, a question that was raised by the member for Winnipeg North: What will be studied in committee? I need to understand the loophole because I ca…
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Madam Speaker, it is also nice for me to see the member for Calgary Nose Hill again. She is right. The notion of fairness in a society is an important issue. We are being asked, in broad terms, what citizenship should look like. Obviously, I believe that all immigration powers should be transferred to Quebec so that Quebec can manage the language issue. This summer, the ridings were caught up in a…
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Madam Speaker, I feel like the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, whom I thank, is attacking me in a power play with his questions this morning. I will answer, considering that our time is limited. Quebec has done more than its share when it comes to taking in refugees. A fair balance is missing on that score. I encourage Ottawa to set things straight and ensure that each province can do …
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her debate and her tone. I would like her to expand on her question. What amendments will the Conservatives move in committee to improve the bill? Above all, when she talks about a loophole that the bill might create for some immigrants, what loophole is she referring to, exactly? I would like to better understand my colleague, and I think it is a matter of …
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Niagara South for his speech. I think it is appropriate to send him my regards for the first time in this Parliament. I would like to know more about the Conservatives' position. This morning, it felt as though Niagara Falls was such a sieve that it was about to become the new Roxham Road. However, that is not what I take from this bill. I would like my col…
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Madam Speaker, it is really great to see the member for Winnipeg North again. Too bad his question is a bit off topic. However, it is customary when Parliament resumes to accept such questions. I will accept this suggestion to work collaboratively and effectively. I know we are in politics, but sometimes we have to be collaborative. I would like to note that yesterday there was a big announcement …
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Madam Speaker, I am listening to the Conservatives and wondering if I did the right thing in coming to Ottawa today. Will I make it home safe at the end of the week? Luckily, Bill C‑3 has not passed yet. I would like to ask my colleague how many potential terrorists are there among the Canadian women who married non-Canadians before 1947 or among the people born between February 15, 1977 and April…
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Mr. Speaker, of course it would be hard to begin this new parliamentary session without wishing everyone, including those watching at home, a warm welcome back. The summer was particularly beautiful in Abitibi—Témiscamingue. I think it was important for many of us to practice self-care after the year we had. That did not prevent some family trips, including to the Quebec Games, and a trip to the n…
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from York Centre for his heartfelt remarks and for sharing his story. I appreciated hearing him talk about how proud he felt during his immigration process, but I was surprised that he expressed concern about people from other countries coming to Canada on a path similar to his own. As a lawmaker, I want to understand what the Conservatives are opposed to and, m…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the member for Lakeland a question. First, we can all agree that supporting a closure motion is absolutely stupid and unreasonable. We can also agree that, in terms of the environment, the Conservatives are once again lagging behind. I would, however, like to point out a way in which the member was able to play an important role at report stage. The Indian Act was …
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Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, June 21, is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Let us draw inspiration from the summer solstice and celebrate the cultures, languages, and contributions of first nations, Inuit and Métis peoples from time immemorial to the present day, and especially to tomorrow and for the next seven generations. This is also an opportunity to build relationships and talk about mutual respect…
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Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to my colleague, this is the same fundamental problem. Indigenous peoples are being put in a box. They get offered something so that it can be said that they were given a little sandbox to play in. They will then be told that they have been consulted. This is not reconciliation. This is not ongoing dialogue with first nations. Action needs to be taken right from t…
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Mr. Speaker, free, prior and informed consent is given by the person in question. It is not something that is imposed on someone else. Basically, it is when the person feels ready to give it, because they have the sovereignty to make the decision and to say when they feel ready to give free, prior and informed consent. It is not up to Parliament to dictate when first nations feel ready to do so. T…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Saanich—Gulf Islands for her question and her sincere interest in this subject. Of course I would like that. The work will continue, because we need to have this ongoing dialogue. Unfortunately, if Bill C-5 is passed as quickly as is planned, the repercussions of this bill will be dealt with in the courts for the next few years, if not decades.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my Conservative colleague, with whom I serve on the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs. Since he was reappointed to that committee, I will have the pleasure of working with him again. I would like to know what questions he would ask first nations representatives if Bill C-5 were to be studied by the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs. Woul…
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Mr. Speaker, I have a simple question for my hon. colleague from Repentigny because I know he is an expert in the environment. What the consequences might this bill have for Quebec specifically? Could the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement, which is highly respected and is a competitive advantage for Quebec projects, be tangibly threatened by this bill?
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Mr. Speaker, what the member for La Prairie—Atateken just said demonstrates a flagrant lack of respect for first nations. The whole problem with this government is that it promises consultations at a later date. First nations are being asked to sign everything over, and then the government will walk away. It wants to take away first nations' established rights and then trample on them. I am taking…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Kings—Hants for his speech and his sensitivity on issues affecting indigenous peoples. He repeated the phrase we have often heard from the Liberals over the past few days, about creating one Canadian economy out of 13. This shows how little consideration was given to the indigenous economy, even in the thought process that led to this election c…
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Mr. Speaker, something unusual happened, namely that closure was adopted, and the official opposition agreed to have the entire House subjected to closure. I would like my colleague to comment on the consequences of his vote this morning and the precedent it sets, especially when we are talking about a bill that will give sweeping powers to the Prime Minister's committee, namely the Privy Council,…
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Mr. Speaker, for a while there was no interpretation. I would just like to see if it is working.
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Madam Speaker, I sincerely thank my colleague for delivering a very important lesson to prove that Quebeckers and indigenous people are distinct. I have a feeling that June 16 will be marked as the day the Bloc Québécois said that we told them so. What is also happening in the news is that Donald Trump is leaving the G7 summit tonight, and there seems to be an understanding with Mark Carney that t…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister a question about this bill, which some might see as a declaration of war against first nations. Earlier on, I made a little pilgrimage to the Senate to hear what National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak had to say. One of the things she mentioned was how important and urgent it is to respect the obligation to conduct advance consultations in accordance with th…
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Mr. Speaker, as we debate Bill C‑5, I think we should all be inspired by La Fontaine's fable, The Tortoise and the Hare. The federal government is behaving like the hare; it wants to make everything happen fast. It is not taking the time to do things properly. It wants to act right now and thinks everything is a matter of life and death. That is just not the case. The tortoise, in contrast, moves …
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Mr. Speaker, in his song Les Yankees, Richard Desjardins sang the following: We come on behalf of Big Control ... The president has ordered me To bring peace to the entire world... Basically, this is what indigenous people are being told: We come as friends But enough discussion Now sign your submission... The government sends a letter and gives grand chiefs five days to relinquish their rights, s…
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Mr. Speaker, Bill C‑5, which the government is trying to push through using closure, is an insult to indigenous peoples. The Liberals want to give themselves the power to make all energy project decisions by fiat. They are first going to approve projects in Ottawa and then, when the decision is made and cannot be undone, they are going to pretend to consult indigenous peoples. It is a charade and …
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Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. Would it be possible to grant the government the same amount of time for questions as all the opposition parties get? I get the impression that the government is not following the rules.
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Mr. Speaker, this week, the Auditor General of Canada released four important reports. It is too bad that these facts are only coming to light today, after the election campaign. I think it would have been in the public interest for Canadians to have access to this information sooner. It might have changed they way they viewed this old Liberal government. After all, this is exactly what we need to…
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Mr. Speaker, I have enormous respect for the member for Winnipeg North, particularly for his ability to listen during speeches. However, I do not feel like he listened to my speech, because I mentioned the points that he raised. That said, I would invite him to look at what the Auditor General actually did with regard to the recommendations. The member for Winnipeg North is usually able to read be…
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Mr. Speaker, since I enjoy debating with my colleague from Winnipeg North, I will cite another passage from the Auditor General's report. In report 4, paragraph 4.34 on page 12 states: We did not issue recommendations in this audit report. We encourage federal organizations to implement the recommendations from recent procurement audits.... This implies that the government has not done so. It has …
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question and his interest in accountability. I want to raise a very important point about government contracting rules. There is a big difference between competitive and non-competitive contracts. The threshold for being on the list was raised to less than $40,000 from less than $25,000 before 2019. Under that threshold, the government can tell a firm that…
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Mr. Speaker, I would really like the member for Winnipeg North to tell us, following his intervention, what he thinks about the environment commissioner's report, which says that Canada's climate change adaptation strategy is missing essential elements and is progressing slowly. The government got rid of the carbon tax, a coercive measure that was working. Everyone got money, except Quebec. The pr…
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Mr. Speaker, we acknowledge that different places in Canada have different visions and that Quebec's policy works. What is the point of penalizing a government for taking bold action that works and that allows for cap and trade with California? There is a return to be made there. If we do the math, we easily come up with $814 million that could be invested in a variety of programs in Quebec. It do…
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Mr. Speaker, I mentioned earlier that, for first nations, decisions must be made with the next seven generations in mind. This idea motivates young people. With all due respect, I would like to suggest this: Perhaps we should replace you in your role as Speaker with an 18-year-old man or woman to remind us of the importance of this mindset. That would be an important symbol. In addressing the Chai…
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Mr. Speaker, congratulations on your appointment to the chair. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to speak to you inyour new role. I am very happy for you. I also want to use my first official speech to thank the people of Abitibi—Témiscamingue for their trust in me. Despite some headwinds, that trust remains strong. I was able to hold on to roughly the same amount of support from t…
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Mr. Speaker, I am somewhat hesitant. Out of respect for your position, I will do it, but I believe that this is how Quebeckers feel. For me, it is—
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my Conservative colleague for mentioning the importance of respect for provincial jurisdictions. We have not always felt that same level of respect from the Conservatives on this specific issue over the years, but that was in a previous Parliament. The government is coming in with a new attitude, but there is indeed one issue that has been overplayed. Seeing the consequences t…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Kings—Hants for his speech, and congratulate him on his appointment as parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister. I would imagine that this position will give him access to some important figures. I would like to apply the rule of three. At the end of December, we knew that there was a $50‑billion deficit for last year so far. If we apply the rule of thre…
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Mr. Speaker, it is not hard to put together a budget. It is a matter of determining where the revenue will come from, where it will be spent and how much is in the account. That is essentially what it boils down to. What will the government spend money on? We have heard quite a lot about that. The Liberals told us about it during the election campaign and in the Speech from the Throne. What will t…
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