Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, this morning, the Conservatives moved a motion on the cost of food. Of course, we agree that the government should table a budget. We already voted on that last week. As for the cost of food, I would like the member to tell us what meaningful measures could be put into place. I would like to know what he thinks about the following: Does he believe that the gradual implementation of a …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the following motion: That, notwithstanding any standing order or usual practice of the House, Bill C‑202, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management), be deemed read a second time and referred to a committee of the whole, deemed considered in committee of the whole, deemed reporte…
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Mr. Speaker, there was a time when economic statements contained measures. This one contains nothing but bad news. There is quite the contrast between the enthusiasm of 2015 and the cynical vote-buying deficits of 2024. There is a contrast between the solidarity of 2015 and the ministers who are jumping ship one after the other. There is quite the contrast between the superstar Prime Minister of 2…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Before the House wraps up for the year, the members of the Bloc Québécois want to wish a merry Christmas and a happy 2025 to all Quebeckers, our colleagues and their staffers, all the House of Commons staff, the entire team of clerks, the law clerks, the analysts, the pages, the Parliamentary Protective Service, the warm and welcoming team in the parliament…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order. With all due respect, we disagree with the decision that you are making and with your interpretation of the motion. This is all a bit surreal. I do not have the right to say who is here and who is not, but I can say in a roundabout way that there are not a lot of government caucus members here right now. That is an unbelievable affront. You cannot just…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on the same point of order. The Bloc Québécois is asking for clarifications on the next steps in the process. We received the order that there would be an economic statement today at four o'clock. Our members are here to respond to it. The contents of the economic statement were disclosed in lock-up, so we are ready to address them. We are asking that the opposition's right to …
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the motion compelled you to interrupt the proceedings, which you did. The government representative chose not to speak. However, her decision not to speak must not violate the right and parliamentary privilege of members of the opposition parties to make statements, followed by a question period. I do not believe that unanimous consent is needed to proceed in this way. …
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Madam Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague to look at the situation that the Canadian government is currently in from someone else's perspective, for example, someone from another country. What are his thoughts on that?
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, this is my first time speaking in the House as the Bloc Québécois whip, and it is a great honour for me to take on this role. However, I am doing so under rather unusual circumstances, to put it politely. These are such unusual circumstances that I may not have another opportunity like this, so I want to wish all the members, and especially the people of Berthier—Maskinongé, whom I ha…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the former deputy prime minister's resignation confirms that the Prime Minister went too far in pursuing Liberal interests at all costs. It confirms that he no longer has the confidence of his closest colleagues. It confirms that the Prime Minister no longer has the moral authority to present an economic update without a minister to take responsibility for it. It confirms that the Pri…
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Mr. Speaker, I will quote the former deputy prime minister: “[Canadians] know when we are working for them, and they equally know when we are focused on ourselves.” She is right. Seventy-one per cent of Quebeckers think that the GST tax break and the Prime Minister's cheques are vote-buying measures. Democracy as a whole loses when so many citizens believe that a prime minister is trying to buy th…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, the motion adopted on December 11 states that “the Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings”. It does not say that the Speaker may interrupt the proceedings. We believe that you have an obligation to interrupt the orders of the day. The Liberals have nothing to say, even though the in camera status has been lifted. There are journalists outside the House right now disclosing the conten…
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Mr. Speaker, I want this on the record in Hansard. This is absolutely unacceptable. It shows a profound lack of respect for all Quebeckers and Canadians, for all the elected members of the House of Commons. It makes no sense. This is total chaos. It is proof that this government is now completely dysfunctional and that we need an election sooner rather than later. We needed a demonstration—
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I want to acknowledge the work of an extraordinary woman in politics. Like a compass in a storm, she has always pointed us in the right direction. Her poise, competence and attentiveness to our needs have always been a source of comfort. She has been the perfect whip, having mastered the art of knowing when to be firm and when to be gentle. She is stepping aside from her duties …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I would like to hear my colleague's opinion on the fact that the Government of Quebec, until quite recently, had to deploy resources to patrol the border even though border surveillance is a federal responsibility. What does he think of that?
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, once again, my colleague delivered a very clear speech. As she just mentioned, our borders are porous. The government is not taking this seriously or responding appropriately. I would like my colleague to comment on the fact that the Quebec government has deployed resources at the border, even though the border is a federal responsibility. I would also like her to talk about what th…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I do not often have a chance to put a question to this colleague, whom I truly appreciate. I have two questions for him. I asked the first question a few times this morning, but I did not get an answer from the Conservatives. Quebec felt it was necessary to deploy resources to protect the border, even though that is a federal responsibility, not a provincial one. Is that a sign of com…
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Madam Speaker, I do agree. We support any measure that can significantly improve access to housing. My colleague asked me whether I had any other ideas. We have plenty, but since I have only 30 seconds to speak, I will simply reiterate our main proposal. Money must be invested regularly over the long term for affordable, social and community housing. We must think outside the box in terms of trans…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, the measure that the Conservatives put forward this morning is fairly interesting. However, does my colleague not think that it is incomplete and that there are other more worthwhile measures that could be put in place, for example, a regular, ongoing investment by the federal government in social and affordable housing, since it is urgent that we reduce the imbalance between supply a…
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak to the Conservatives' motion on housing. Many, if not all, of the members of the House give genuine priority to housing. However, although everyone here sincerely prioritizes housing, their solutions can vary. One person who genuinely puts a lot of effort into the housing file and will be enlightening us on the subject is the legendary member from Jonquière, wh…
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to hear that the parliamentary secretary agrees with my entire speech. I am very pleased to hear that. Of course I want members to have freedom of speech. It is more than a little worrisome to find out that some political parties forbid their members from speaking out. Even more serious is the fact that members are forbidden from promoting programs that could provide mo…
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for that great question, and yes, that would be wonderful. What I want, as I said in my speech earlier, is for the federal government to stop imposing conditions. The member has suggested taking the equivalent of the money collected for the GST and returning it to the communities to fund non-market housing, in other words, community or affordable housing. I appl…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, there is a lot to celebrate this year in Berthier—Maskinongé, where three community organizations are marking their 30th anniversary. What an amazing milestone. The Réseau des aidants naturels d'Autray has made it its mission to improve the quality of life of caregivers by providing them with services and a place to meet other caregivers in order to break their isolation. The Maison d…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, my colleague mentioned a reasonable conversation. I would like to have a reasonable conversation with him. I heard him defend Trans Mountain and the $34 billion spent on a pipeline. I find that a little strange. Now his government is about to invest billions of dollars in carbon capture, even though everyone knows, since it has been proven, that this technology is not working anywhe…
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Madam Speaker, recommendation 2 of the report we are currently studying requires the government to demonstrate the effectiveness of technologies before implementing them. The first example that comes to mind is carbon storage. The Conservatives talk about it all the time. However, we know it has been tested elsewhere, and it does not work. I would like to hear my colleague's comments on this. Does…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his excellent work, his meticulousness and his powerful speech. I would like him to speak more about the fact that Canada tends to be all talk and no action. It makes lofty promises but does not follow through. There is a lot of tearful rhetoric, but in reality, real abuse is taking place. As we speak, real people are being subjected to rape and forced l…
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Madam Speaker, my colleague began his speech by claiming that the Liberals' hands are tied because the Conservatives are gumming up the House. However, this promise is more than one month old. The House has only been paralyzed for a month. The Liberals promised in budget 2023 that they would take action by the end of 2023, but they did not do it. They made the same promise in budget 2024, which wa…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and, if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion, which is seconded by the member for Humber River—Black Creek: That, given that, (i) Canada maintains unofficial, but robust and growing economic, cultural and people-to-people ties with Taiwan, based on fruitful cooperation on trade and investment, sci…
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister knows that if Bill C-282 is not passed, the Americans could put supply management back on the table as early as 2026. He also knows that he is not going to be the one at the negotiating table. It will be the Conservative leader. If the Prime Minister does not get Bill C‑282 passed before any future negotiations take place, he is leaving our agricultural industry in …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I know my colleague well because she and I serve together on the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. I know that she cares a lot about the issue of climate change and the impact that climate change is having on people. My colleague from Terrebonne carefully analyzed the report that is before us today. It said, that rather than subsidizing polluting oil companies, the gove…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it sounds like the answer to my last question was yes. No one in the House should be okay with letting two senators override our democratic choice to protect supply management. I have a message for Mr. Boehm and Mr. Harder. If they want to sacrifice supply management, they should run for office and face the voters once and for all, instead of simply cashing their Senate paycheques. Th…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating my colleague on her excellent speech, which was very clear and included some very insightful points. A few times, she brought up a very important issue, namely local infrastructure. We see billions of dollars being handed to oil companies, which will use these subsidies to continue polluting. We also see what is going on in the municipalities.…
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Mr. Speaker, in tonight's U.S. presidential election, Americans are going to choose the person who will be able to reopen CUSMA, the Canada-United States-Mexico agreement, as early as 2026. Our most important free trade agreement could come up for renegotiation. Donald Trump has promised to do as much, and Kamala Harris voted against CUSMA. That is why it is dangerous to let senators Peter Boehm a…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, the Conservative member who asked the previous question asked what it was costing us to debate this privilege motion for the fourth week in a row and what we could be doing instead. I would like to remind my colleagues of something rather important. The opposition parties agree with this motion and the Bloc Québécois is prepared to vote in favour of it. If we adopt it again, the gover…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague for his speech because there was a lot of content. It is probably because he was speaking to a Bloc Québécois motion. It is our job to provide content here. I am very pleased to hear that. There was something a little less convincing at the end of his speech, when he was talking about voting. The only answer that I can give him is that when …
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Madam Speaker, there is plenty of ineptitude I could capitalize on, but I will try to focus. The member has the audacity to say that today's motion is purely a publicity stunt that serves no purpose, yet his party has pledged to vote in favour of it. I want to thank the Conservative members for voting in favour of seniors today. However, I find it hard to understand how, in a logical speech, a mem…
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Madam Speaker, I would like to ask a technical question about interference. The NDP and the Bloc Québécois have very similar visions when it comes to social democracy and income sharing. The only difference, which is quite annoying and significant, has to do with the mechanics of it. The NDP is very centralist. The dental care program that the New Democrats managed to put in place with the help of…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague very much. I appreciate having deep discussions with him about what Quebec is and why we want independence. It is always interesting to talk to him. His question will allow me to expand on something. It is a profound injustice. Do members know what is behind this scheme? I think the government decided that it was going to increase old age security to 75, that it w…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that I will be sharing my time with the charismatic and charming member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, who is going to captivate us with his vast knowledge and legendary enthusiasm. Are we saving the best for last? We shall see. I have so much to say. So many questions have been raised. First of all, the Liberals asked a number of times whether seeking roya…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his interesting question. If the government does not respect the wishes of the Bloc Québécois, it will show in the next few days through old age security and supply management bills. My colleague talked about the vote on the non-confidence motion. As I said earlier during my speech, the Bloc Québécois wants to vote on content. Since the Liberal-NDP agreement e…
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Mr. Speaker, it was him. I was right. He is applauding me, and that does not happen very often. Mark this day on the calendar. Earlier, this Conservative member was criticizing us for working for gains. He criticized us for receiving media attention. There are seniors here on Parliament Hill today. The group from my riding includes people aged 72, 75 and so on. It is not just people under 75 who w…
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Mr. Speaker, I am more than pleased to answer the question thus: intrusion, encroachment, duplication of structures. Quebec already has a dental plan that applies to children and so on. If Quebec had received the money directly, as it requested, it could have improved its services. Instead, the Liberal government decided to give $2 billion to a private insurance company, Sun Life, which lines its …
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Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from Terrebonne on her excellent speech. My question is very specific. Some objections were raised earlier about increasing old age security for everyone. Someone suggested that not everyone needs it. I know my colleague has a background in economics, so could she explain to the members opposite that we have a progressive tax system that will balance all th…
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Mr. Speaker, I am shocked to hear that. My colleague is usually a rather sensible person, yet he just said that Bloc Québécois members do not truly care about seniors. That must be why we put this issue on today's agenda and why we are trying to get this gain. That must also be why we have been fighting for five years to get his government to act fairly and equitably toward all seniors. We are pre…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague said a lot of things in her speech. She kept saying that not everyone is in need. We have a progressive tax system to deal with that. Earlier I talked about my father, who had a good pension. At the end of the year, he paid back in taxes what he received. The matter is already resolved. How will my colleague go about identifying a person who cannot work because they have …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it is an ultimatum. Bill C‑282 on supply management has to pass before October 29. That should be simple. The House voted in favour of the bill, but it has been stuck in the Senate for more than a year. Yesterday, in committee, a senator asked an excellent question. He said, and I quote, “Can you explain why this bill is being held up in the Senate? It is a bill that was supported by …
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Mr. Speaker, let us have a debate on the content. I know this subject quite well. The member talked a lot about the carbon tax in his introduction. I would like to talk to him about Bill C‑234. We have had a lot of discussions about it in the House. There has also been a lot of tension around this bill. Yesterday, in my speech, I explained that we had chosen to accept the Senate amendments and tha…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the clarifications my colleague just made. He talked a lot about rural areas. I know that his riding is rural and that supply-managed production is important there. He knows as well as I do that Bill C‑282 was passed in the House in June 2023, as hon. members will recall. It is now September 2024. It has been languishing in the Senate for over a year, gathering dust. I wo…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, to answer his question, what we want are intelligent measures. We do not want a populist announcement that says that we are going to reduce this by a certain percentage. That is what matters. The Bloc Québécois speaks out a lot about refugee claims. We want to welcome people, but our major concern is the proportion of temporary people that Quebec has to take care of. We are not just…
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Madam Speaker, I would have liked to have the opportunity to ask my colleague one last question. Since he is still here, I will ask him anyway. Perhaps he can answer me by me asking a question. He spoke about supply management in response to a question from my NDP colleague. He said that his government has always supported supply management. That is reasonably accurate. Bill C-282, which is import…
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