Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to discuss Bill C-238 on the French language, sponsored by the hon. member for Salaberry—Suroît. This bill is similar to bills tabled in previous sittings of Parliament. In the 43rd Parliament, we had Bill C-223, which would have required that immigrants living in Quebec have an adequate knowledge of Quebec, as well as Bill C-254, which sought to apply Que…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Madam Speaker, May 7 is National Child and Youth Mental Health Day, which is all about building caring connections between young people and the caring adults in their lives. That is why we are investing $39 million to promote the mental well-being of children, youth and others likely to experience inequities, and giving $7.5 million to Kids Help Phone to provide crisis services to children and you…
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Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance tabled a budget yesterday that will invest in the backbone of a strong and growing country: our people. Sherbrooke is experiencing a serious housing crisis. The measures set out in the budget to increase the number of housing units and speed up housing construction and repairs will help families, workers and seniors find a safe and aff…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Madam Speaker, as Autism Month begins, I would like to share the story of Emmanuel and his parents. Emmanuel will soon be 20 years old. His autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, has always been challenging for his parents and the people who love him. When he was three, nobody knew if he would ever learn to talk. Through weekly adaptive intervention sessions, he learned to interact with others and beco…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, border measures continue to be an important part of Canada's response to the COVID‑19 pandemic. COVID‑19 numbers continue to rise here in Canada and around the world. We will therefore continue to use the latest scientific data and evidence to guide us as we adjust our border measures. We will continue to work with our provincial and territorial colleagues, our indigenous partners and…
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Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank the member for Courtenay—Alberni for his efforts, his commitment and his determination to end the opioid overdose and toxic drug supply crisis in Canada, and for raising this important issue in the House this evening. I would like to reiterate that our hearts go out to all the families and communities of those we have lost to opioid overdoses. Our governmen…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, our government obviously understands the urgency of the situation and is moving forward with an evidence-based approach to ending this crisis. Overcoming the stigma associated with substance use is also essential in addressing this whole-of-society problem and turning the tide on this crisis. That includes the investment of more than $13 million to help change attitudes towards and pe…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question and for the opportunity to provide an update on the measures our government is taking at our borders to protect Canadians from COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, the government has used available data and scientific evidence to inform its decisions regarding border measures. The health and safety of Canadians will continue to be our top priority, …
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I sincerely thank my colleague from Courtenay—Alberni for his speech. Clearly, this crisis has already taken too many lives. We understand that action is urgently needed, and that is why we made it a priority. I would like to ask the member this. Does he agree that moving in this direction requires addressing fundamental issues, including working with partners to establish appropria…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with my hon. colleague from Newmarket—Aurora. The right to protest is a fundamental right in this country. It has been used repeatedly in Canada for causes that have helped us grow as a society. Think of women's suffrage, the end of racial segregation, the rights of LGBTQ2+ people, and the process of reconciliation with first nations, Métis and Inuit people. …
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for asking that question in French, and I congratulate him for it. Canada is a big country, and the situations are different from one place to another. The Emergencies Act contains a rigorous implementation process, as I was saying in my speech, including consultations, which took place. Another benefit of the act is that it applies on demand, based on need. Som…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, these are obviously extraordinary measures that are allowed under the legislation and give financial institutions the power to conduct investigations, in collaboration with the RCMP. At this time, 76 personal or business accounts have been blocked. Clearly, the act is being applied within a very limited scope. The most worrisome accounts are being targeted. It is disturbing to know …
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, we have heard that question a number of times in the last few hours of debate. What I know is that there were attempts. There were meetings, calls and discussions. All kinds of efforts were made to try to make progress. Demands were made, and we responded to those demands. Additional police officers were deployed on three occasions before it got to this point. I think this is an exc…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, our hearts go out to all the families and loved ones of those we have lost to suicide and to those who struggle with suicidal thoughts. It is essential for Canadians to have timely access to suicide prevention, and in addition to working to fully fund a national three-digit mental health crisis and suicide prevention hotline, we are developing a pan-Canadian suicide prevention servi…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to present a petition today that was signed by my constituents in Sherbrooke. They are calling on the House of Commons to change the name of the old age security program to use respectful language that better reflects the values of our government, such as “seniors' pension” or “seniors' pension program”. Being 65 years old is no longer associated with the term “old age”.…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, since 2017, supervised consumption sites have had 2.9 million visits with no on-site deaths recorded to date, over 120,000 referrals to health services and 27,000 reversed overdoses. Given these metrics, does the member agree that our decision to approve 37 consumption sites since coming into office was good and that we should continue this way?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, the supply changes so quickly people do not know what they get. There are also signs the street supply of fentanyl is being laced with far more potent opioids. I would like to hear my colleague's comments on how important supporting safe supply is, as it is such an essential component of turning the tide on the alarming rise in opioid deaths from the toxic drug supply.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for his speech, particularly for speaking about indigenous Canadians in his province. It is true that the opioid crisis continues to have a disproportionate impact on the health and well-being of indigenous people. We are investing $425 million annually for community-based services to address the mental wellness needs of first nations and Inuit. Would my colleague a…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, are we to understand from my colleague's comments that he agrees with Bill C‑5, which seeks to eliminate policies that have filled our prisons with people who needed help and that ultimately targeted vulnerable and racialized Canadians?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Chair, the member mentioned that a lot of money has been put in the justice system. We introduced legislation that, among other measures, would require police and prosecutors to consider non-criminal responses to some drug-related offences. I would ask my colleague if he agrees that alternatives to prosecution should be considered for simple possession offences.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, perhaps my colleague's speech was written before she became aware of what the minister announced last week. The fiscal update allocated $85 million, and processing times have improved and are now 87% faster. A new permanent residence application tracker was introduced in February 2022 for spouses. Citizenship and Immigration, the IRCC, has increased its processing capacity for perma…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, the 24th Winter Olympic Games began last Friday in Beijing. While I encourage all Canadian athletes, I am particularly proud of the athletes from Sherbrooke who are participating. I would like to introduce our eight athletes from Sherbrooke. In speed skating, we have four-time Olympic medallist Kim Boutin, world champion Jordan Pierre-Gilles and world medallist Antoine Gélinas-Beaulie…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, our government remains committed to implementing and fully funding a national three-digit mental health crisis and suicide prevention hotline. The CRTC is currently considering public input from consultations that have been extended, and replies will be accepted until March 2022 to accommodate additional interventions and formats more accessible to persons with disabilities, such as v…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. We understand the urgency of implementing this crisis line, and we will ensure we get it right, including it having the capacity to connect people with the most appropriate service in the most appropriate way. We are investing $25 million over five years to develop, implement, expand and sustain a fully operational pan-Canadian suicide prevention…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to see that the member for Courtenay—Alberni has fully recovered from COVID-19. I thank him for his work and his commitment to ending the opioid overdose crisis and eliminating the toxic drug supply in Canada, and also for starting this discussion this evening. Our hearts go out to all the families and communities of those we have lost to opioid overdoses. Our government …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, our government understands the urgency of the situation and is moving forward with an evidence-based approach to ending this crisis. Overcoming the stigma associated with substance use is also essential in addressing this whole-of-society problem. It is vitally important to our work to turn the tide on this crisis. This includes investing over $30 million to help change attitudes and …
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, this week is National Suicide Prevention Week in Quebec. My heart goes out to all the families and loved ones of those we have lost to suicide and to those who have struggled and have seen people struggle with suicidal thoughts. I want all Canadians to know that if they are having a tough time or know someone who is struggling, they need to ask for help and talk about it. No one shoul…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada understands the urgency of implementing this crisis line and the Public Health Agency of Canada is working to ensure we get its implementation right, including that it is able to connect people to the most appropriate support in the most appropriate way at the most appropriate time. We remain committed to implementing, and fully funding, a three digit mental h…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Edmonton—Wetaskiwin for his important question. I would first like to say that our thoughts are with the families and communities that have lost loved ones to suicide. Our government is committed to implementing and fully funding a three-digit mental health crisis and suicide prevention hotline. The CRTC launched a regulatory proceeding on June 3, 2021, to …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I assure the member opposite that I share his concern. Our government is 100% committed to fully funding this three-digit mental health crisis and suicide prevention hotline. The ongoing consultations by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission will help identify barriers and, should any be identified, determine how best to address them. We look forward to the o…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, the member for Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis says that she takes exception to some things. We take action. On the one hand, she says that we did nothing, and on the other hand she complains that we spent too much. In my riding, people were very pleased, especially with the Canada emergency wage subsidy, which helped save and maintain many jobs. I would like to know where she would…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, this past year, the awful reality of the systemic racism that still pervades our institutions was brought to light. As we know, tragedies such as the experience of Joyce Echaquan are not isolated incidents. Indigenous people across the country are fearful and reluctant to seek health services because they are afraid of encountering discrimination that can sometimes turn deadly. The mi…
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Madam Chair, while COVID-19 was raging, another pandemic was occurring across Canada. Although it was somewhat overshadowed, it was just as significant. The opioid crisis has affected the entire country, especially the province of British Columbia. What is our government doing to help key organizations that are working on the ground during this crisis that is occurring at the same time as COVID-19…
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Mr. Speaker, members of Sherbrooke's arts and culture industry, including Suzanne‑Marie Landry of Théâtre Granada and Mario Trépanier of the Centre culturel de l'Université de Sherbrooke, have tapped into their enthusiasm and creativity to successfully renew themselves and serve up an impressive cultural lineup. For the first time ever, Théâtre Granada will host the Grand Réveillon de Sherbrooke o…
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Madam Chair, I am pleased to participate in tonight's debate on the supplementary estimates (B). Tonight's debate comes at a key moment for Canada and its recovery. Bit by bit, businesses are safely reopening. Employment has recovered to prerecession levels. All of the 3 million jobs lost when the crisis was at its peak were recovered faster than in any previous recession. Canada's economic recove…
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Madam Chair, I thank the minister for his answer. Our frontline workers and first responders are the real heroes in this crisis. While they help Canadians stay healthy or regain their health, what is our government doing to ensure that these health workers are getting the help they need when they need it?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, in May 2020, we committed to doing the necessary repairs to ensure that our reservists could continue to train in Sherbrooke, and we have kept our word. Any of my constituents who have walked down Belvédère Street will have seen workers at the Colonel-Gaëtan-Côté Armoury. Work on the urgent repairs started as planned on October 18. The second phase of work to get the Belvédère armoury…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, getting their child a spot in day care helps women build their careers. Access to affordable, inclusive day care makes life more affordable and helps create jobs. Several agreements have already been signed. Can the Minister of Families give us an update on what is being done to make good on our promise?
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Governor General read the Speech from the Throne, a speech that outlines the government's objectives and tangible ways to achieve them. A significant part of the speech focused on climate action, the urgent need to act, and what we are doing to rebuild our economy and be a leader in the fight against climate change. Can the Prime Minister tell the young people in my rid…
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her important question. Since I was appointed, and since forming government, actually, we have recognized the importance of protecting and promoting French in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada, as well as the importance of protecting our minority language communities. The bill we are introducing aims to do just that, and I hope everyone in the House will suppor…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Madam Speaker, my first term as a member of Parliament has been unusual, obviously, on account of COVID. As far as I am concerned, since October 2019, I have been proud to represent the most beautiful city in the world, Sherbrooke. I am proud to be part of a government that has lifted over one million Canadians out of poverty, including nearly 400,000 children. I am proud of the $92 million that w…
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her important question. The Bloc Québécois does not have a monopoly on love for the French language. I have always worked in French and will continue to do so. It is my language and my identity. It is our history and we are all very proud of it. The bill introduced by the minister reflects all of that. We are the first government to acknowledge that there ha…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I want to start by reminding members of some important points we all agree on in this House. It is important to give Canadians the real facts and the real issues so that we can find common ground and common solutions. First, we agree that French is a minority language in North America and that we need to do more to protect and promote it. Second, we agree that Quebec deserves special …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her important question. The speech I gave this afternoon came from the heart. Where I come from, at home, we all live together and there is no difference between us. Everyone is happy, we love everybody and there are no barriers. That is how life goes. I will now come back to conversion therapy. To go a little further with Bill C-6, I will say that everyone …
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Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the House that I will be sharing my time with the hon. member for Winnipeg North. This afternoon, I am very pleased to be able to speak to the bill that is before us today. It is a very relevant and important bill, which, without exaggeration, has the potential to save lives. I feel very strongly about Bill C-6, an act to amend the Criminal Code with regard to…
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me time to speak a little more about Bill C-6. Every individual should be able to be who they are. We are who we are, the way we were born. Living in an open society where everyone is accepted as they are requires great openness, and that is what makes our communities strong. In my opinion, Canada’s strength is that it accepts difference and diversity…
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Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question. Attitudes change over the years and decades. The fact that LGBTQ2+ communities are more engaged in raising awareness and are more visible in every sphere of life once again demonstrates Canadians’ openness. In my opinion, attitudes had to change if there was to be an equal place for everyone. It is because of ongoing efforts and o…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, this past long weekend was a very busy one for Sherbrooke and for Moisson Estrie, an organization that redistributes food and helps people experiencing financial vulnerability. Once again this year, Dr. Sébastien Roulier ran as part of the “Avançons tous en cœur” fundraising campaign for Moisson Estrie. The course, in the shape of a four-hearted cloverleaf, had him running 420 kilomet…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to talk about the benefits of budget 2021 as it relates to one of the priorities of my riding of Sherbrooke, social housing. With or without a pandemic, many families struggle to access affordable housing every year, and this is also true in Sherbrooke. The low vacancy rate of 1.3% is alarming, and many people are still waiting for subsidized housing. The budge…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. Protecting our two official languages is obviously a priority for our government. No matter what anyone says, official languages are and will always be a priority. The minister is well informed and is working hard to promote and protect our beautiful language.
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