Parliamentary Speeches
364 speeches by Marie-Hélène Gaudreau — Page 1 of 8
Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, first and foremost, it is important for me to express my full support tonight for “Le communautaire à boutte” movement. Before becoming an MP, I served as executive director of the Hautes-Laurentides community development corporation for over five years. I worked closely with more than 50 organizations that provide services that government agencies cannot. These are dedicated people…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I am reflecting on my colleague's question from a few minutes ago about the motion. How could the Conservatives have left some things out of the motion? Why were they forced to amend it after we listed the Quebec businesses that were not included?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I did pick up on a desire to make greenhouse gases less and less noticeable. I actually met with the President of the Treasury Board this morning, and we talked about regulatory sandboxes, among other things. I am very concerned. I am very concerned because, on this opposition day, it is clear that economic pressure from the fossil fuel lobby has resulted in an opposition motion aimed…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, in life, there are people who inspire us with their courage, self-sacrifice, strength and dignity in the face of adversity. Since becoming the veterans affairs critic, I have come across some truly exceptional human beings. I have entered a world that is too often overlooked, one that is characterized by humanity, dedication and altruism. One person in particular is always on my mind.…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, my question is simple. Why are we debating Motion No. 16 here, rather than with my colleague on the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates?
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, tonight, the fundamental question is: Why debate this motion in the House? This question seems very simple, but it is crucial to me. Since I have been a member of the House of Commons, I have rarely seen orders of reference from the House to committees, other than for questions of privilege. I have seen my share of questions of privilege. I sat on the Standing Committee on Procedure a…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I think it is time we all took a break. I want to take this opportunity to share something positive. This past weekend, the PwC Tremblant World Cup was held in Mont-Tremblant. Franco-Ontarian athlete Valérie Grenier, who lives in Laurentides—Labelle, made it to the podium, winning the bronze medal. It is good to talk about positive things. I think we all need to take a little break,…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would like my colleague to tell me whether he will still vote against the next budget, since we now know that the Prime Minister has made a major shift in favour of the oil industry.
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, this is not an easy subject, but it is important to talk about it. I told my colleague earlier how resilient and courageous he is. He is taking action and wants to make things better. For those who did not hear his speech, I will try to explain what Bill C-231 is all about. The bill seeks to amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act to clarify the measures governing addiction treatment p…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, as Parliament winds down before the break, we are working very hard, and I appreciate your efforts. I also appreciate the outstanding work of my colleague from Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière. I mentioned to him earlier how valuable it is. There is a lot of noise, Madam Speaker. This is a very—
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, my colleague has shown such courage, but not only that, he is taking concrete action as well. Earlier, my colleague mentioned that this might just be a drop in the ocean. I disagree. Having worked in addictions treatment and prevention for years, I believe that this bill will make a big difference, and my colleague needs to know that. It is easy enough to see physical or visible suffe…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, after last year's heartbreaking cancellation due to a lack of snow, the women's giant slalom world cup is finally back at Mont Tremblant this weekend. This is great news for everyone who loves alpine skiing. Hosting a world cup event is more than an honour; it is a mark of international recognition. It shows that our know-how ranks among the best in the world when it comes to hosting …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague whether he heard the response from Quebec's former finance minister when I asked him a question and told him that investments are assets and equipment. Investing in loans and in tax cuts is an economic lever, but no one can convince me that that is an investment, per se. Would my colleague agree that the current budget is nothing more than smoke and mi…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, three weeks ago, we proposed all sorts of measures to help the forestry industry. On Friday, I learned that my riding of Laurentides—Labelle will also be affected. Groupe Crête, which has three mills, just announced that it is closing its mill in Mont-Blanc for three months as of January, and yet we have solutions. Can my colleague tell us once again what we need to do to save our for…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, we are discussing a very important topic today, and I find it reassuring that we are able to talk about it. I hope that we will be able to vote on this bill quickly. In my speech this morning, I will explain the content of Bill S-225, but I will also talk about what I experienced before becoming an MP. Members may not be aware, but I worked in community organizations for many years. I…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to ask my colleague a question. The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates met with the Parliamentary Budget Officer. I had a very simple question for him, namely, what is an investment? He replied, of course, that it is capital put into equipment or a means of production, and that it therefore falls under the category of as…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, thank you for maintaining order here in the House. That is the way it should be. I want to highlight that and tell you how much I appreciate it. I just came from a committee meeting where, once again, there was a lot of partisan behaviour. It was all very performative. I am tired of the debate focusing on whether or not people voted against the budget. Can we please talk about the r…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, I was actually a victim of one of those crises. I lost my job in 2005. I worked for a company with 222 employees. The same thing is happening now. Groups came forward with solutions a few weeks ago. If this trend continues, if the government does not wake up, there will be no more companies left to Build Canada Homes. Has the government considered the fact that, eventually, if there a…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, when I hear my colleague say that her government will fight, that it will help, that it is aware of the problem, that this is an important issue and that it is dealing with climate change, there is definitely something I do not understand. Does the government really care about this? If it did, it would already be taking concrete actions in connection with the measure my colleague did …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, this is a big day. I can feel the excitement in the air. With regard to the new calculation for investments, did my colleague check to see whether the deficit would have been the same had this model been applied in previous Parliaments since 2015? If not, how can amortization be valid in a budget like this, when the government is not investing in anything that will become an asset?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would like my colleague to explain something to me. For years, the Bloc Québécois has done everything in its power to end the discrimination against people between the ages of 65 and 74. Again this weekend, these people told me that they understand why the Bloc will be voting against the budget: This measure does not appear anywhere in the budget. I could also mention the 6% escal…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am very disappointed in the budget. From 2009 to 2011, I was a political staffer for the Hon. Johanne Deschamps, the member for Laurentides—Labelle at the time. Even back then, we had concerns about employment insurance and felt there was a need to reform benefits for serious illness. Now it is 2025. We have been waiting for a complete overhaul since 2015. Some 50,000 workers will…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I want to commend my colleague from Montcalm for all the extremely important work he has done for the health and safety of consumers, as well as for the time he has dedicated to this issue over the past few Parliaments. We all know people who work in small and medium-sized businesses in the natural health care sector. In Val‑David, in my riding, I visited the facilities of Clef des …
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, in a democracy, there are fundamental principles that distinguish true democratic regimes from states that merely claim to be democratic. The rule of law is based on rules, values and principles that are non-negotiable. The current mood among certain political parties, thinkers and columnists seems to be more about vengeance in the justice system than true justice. It is sometimes mor…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, November 11 is an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by our veterans. The symbol we wear, the poppy, represents the fields of Flanders, in Belgium, where so many battles of the First World War took place. This moment of remembrance is important. Symbols are important, yes. What really matters, however, is that we take care of our own. It might come as a surprise that a memb…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, let us talk about public safety. There are ways of making that work. Bill C-14 covers six major points that the Bloc Québécois thinks are very worthwhile. The Conservatives see everything as black or white. Quite honestly, we need to take the time to properly evaluate the weight of this bill in committee in order to legislate on public safety and appropriately modernize the law.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, my colleague just mentioned that it is important to have strong legislation, rules and laws as long as we give judges the opportunity to make an assessment. Think about a criminal who has stolen a car for the first time versus one who has committed acts of physical violence against other people or even caused death. I think we can agree that those are two very different things. It w…
Read full speech →Statements by members
Mr. Speaker, culture in the regions is fundamental to creation, dissemination and our artists. Today, I would like to pay tribute to Sonia Piché, the former director of Théâtre du Marais in Val‑Morin. She is now retired, but she can be proud of her legacy as we celebrate the theatre's 25th anniversary. At the celebration last month, she said, “Culture nourishes people. It does people good. There s…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is easy to point fingers at the government in power but I would like to ask my colleague a question. How is it that the Conservatives had the nerve to appoint a chief of the defence staff whose record was not unblemished?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's speech and I thank him for it. However, I would like to share an additional concern with the House. We hope that there will be some changes in committee to allow for impartiality when there is a ruling. This being said, the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs is currently studying the issue of suicide among veterans. Does my colleague agree th…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, today, it is my turn to address the House, and I do so as the Bloc Québécois critic for veterans affairs. Because of my background in psychosociology, I see victims in a very specific light. The Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs is looking at various issues facing veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. For instance, these men and women may attempt suicide or develop substa…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we simply need to look at how the complaints process works. Even here, in the House of Commons, we have a system that prevents us from being unethical and stopping anyone from reporting an incident and filing a complaint. The process will be specifically designed to allow the people who examine and analyze these situations to function as a wholly separate and impartial justice system.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, with respect to the objective of this bill, all we need to do is think about a person who files a complaint against someone who has the authority to retaliate or make threats and change their life. Essentially, we have been waiting 10 years for this problem to be addressed. This is a first step. I am certain that in committee, among parliamentarians, all members will be able to work o…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would rather not go into detail on that, because, on top of everything, based on what we are hearing at the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs in particular, there is a knowledge gap when it comes to the services available and the process for either filing a complaint or pursuing legal action. We need to take stock, to determine whether we have everything we need to support vict…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Government Transformation likes to remind us that there was a strike at Canada Post a year ago. He keeps repeating that the government is losing $10 million a day with Canada Post, but he forgets that during last year's strike, independent businesses criticized the government's inaction because the strike was costing them $100 million a day. By causing the postal servi…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, let us just say right off the bat that this issue should have been resolved decades ago. When I hear people say that the government has not been proactive enough since the recommendation was made in 2021, I feel like answering that both parties need to look in the mirror. The Bloc Québécois obviously agrees that it is about time. I am vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Veterans A…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I must say that my colleague clearly explained the events that took place. Earlier, I tried to explain what happened with both parties here, and I hope this bill will not die on the Order Paper. Why? Every week, I meet with people who say that they have been the victims of alleged sexual misconduct, harassment and so on. For veterans who are watching at home right now, does my colleag…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, earlier, I asked my colleague whether anything would be done to address the needs of people with post-traumatic stress or people who have been the victims of physical harm. Obviously, she told me that there definitely would be. How is my colleague going to manage things with an upcoming 5% increase in defence spending and only a few days left to check and see whether funds will also b…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is rare to see all the parties agree to move a bill forward through the legislative process. From what I understand, everything will get done in committee. I see that there is goodwill and that members want to make good recommendations and pass a good bill. Will my colleague's party lend a hand so that we can finally carry out this agenda that should have been implemented years ago…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the postal crisis is getting worse, and it is entirely the federal government's fault. Canada Post presented its workers with a new collective agreement offer on Friday. That offer was worse than the previous one, which had been rejected. Canada Post is taking advantage of the balance of power it has thanks to the federal government to intimidate its employees and try to force them to…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, before the Liberals got involved, mail was being delivered. Since they got involved, the postal service has ground to a halt. The regions, small businesses and the most vulnerable are paying the price. Before the Liberals got involved, Canada Post was presenting serious offers. Now, we have never been further from an agreement and we wonder how the parties are ever going to agree. We …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is quite a thing to deliver a speech about something one has experienced first hand. My question is very simple. Everyone knows that this bill was desperately needed. However, will my colleague also be able to devote all her energy to helping everyone who may have been or may become victims, both our veterans and employees of National Defence? Can she ensure that she will be there …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, thousands of postal workers are wondering if their job is disappearing. They were not consulted. Thousands of men and women who are waiting for a cheque, a passport or another important document are wondering how they will get it back. They were not consulted. Thousands of businesses, SMEs especially, are wondering how their products will be distributed. They were not consulted either…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, September 25, the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement announced a major overhaul of Canada's postal services. Even though Canada Post and its employees have been negotiating for two years, the government intervened in the negotiations, leading to a general strike by postal workers, which has had a significant impact on the entire population…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the postal crisis was brought on by the federal government. The best example is passports. People waiting for passports that will not arrive on time have to go to a Service Canada office to get one and pay hundreds of dollars. As it turns out, Service Canada reports to the same minister. It is clear that the minister did not even think to look for solutions for people before kicking o…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, this government is to blame for the postal crisis. It announced that it was overhauling Canada Post but did not even consult the workers. They found out about it in the news. Now, no one is getting their mail. Some people are not getting their cheques or have to travel to pick them up. Businesses are having to improvise to get their parcels delivered. Quebec is afraid that no one will…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, modernizing Canada Post should not mean abandoning people with reduced mobility or Quebeckers in the regions. The minister did not adequately consult Quebeckers. He comes here today with what looks like a one-size-fits-all federal reform that does not take into account the specific needs on the ground. He must ensure that people with reduced mobility continue to receive their mail at …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I wonder if my colleague thinks it is time to put a cost on climate change. Everyone is trying to say that it is a need, that we need oil. Where are my 77 colleagues from Quebec when we know full well that it is in Quebec that we are going to succeed in maintaining, if not reducing, our greenhouse gas emissions? We have already proven it. Does my colleague agree that we are going to h…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I feel like I have stepped decades back in time. It hardly even seems like 2025 anymore. Nowadays, the topic of our discussion is outdated. The 21st century is supposed to be a time for a big energy transition. Here we are, however, still talking about pipelines, oil and relaxed regulations. Do members talk to their constituents on the weekend? The public is against those things. Why …
Read full speech →