Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I promise I will not talk about hockey players. My question is simple. What does the member for Windsor West think of the Liberal Party's dissenting opinion, which does not support the report that I feel was the product of consensus? How does he interpret the Liberals' position on that?
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Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to rise today to speak to this report. It was certainly exciting—
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Mr. Speaker, I am completely flabbergasted by the argument that we only lost two or three days. In reality, because Parliament was prorogued, the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology had to stop its work and postpone its studies. It took two and a half months to catch up. The committees began meeting again in mid-October, but by the time they held elections, established their pri…
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Mr. Speaker, I will pick up where I left off earlier. I am pleased to speak to the report on the work of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, of which I am vice-chair. I would like to remind members that this study was carried out in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and examined what action was taken to support our economy. I would like to highlight the initiative of the…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Lac-Saint-Jean for his intervention. The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology is currently conducting a study on the green economic recovery. Two weeks ago, Benoit La Salle from SRG Mining appeared as a witness to talk about the critical and precious metals aspect. There is no guarantee that these metals will remain under Quebec or Canadian …
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Red Deer—Mountain View, who inadvertently gave our committee a somewhat amusing demonstration of how important it is for all Canadians to have a safe and reliable Internet connection at all times. That is the subject of another study that we, including my colleague, conducted at the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. I also want to talk a…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Windsor West. To be honest, I must say he is a mentor to me at the industry committee. I think it is important to mention that. If I am not mistaken, he has been a member of that committee for around 15 years. He always takes a constructive approach as he stands up for the interests of his constituents. I learn a lot from him. As for the acquisition of Rona, …
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Battle River—Crowfoot. I would not go so far as to say that the oil in Alberta is ethical, but that is a debate for another day. I would like to talk about something that floored me. Members will remember the airplane that departed China and was diverted by the U.S. government. This plane was carrying PPE and medical supplies that hospitals across Quebec and …
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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to attempt to begin my speech a third time. I acknowledge my colleague from Red Deer—Mountain View, and I am pleased that he is interested in hearing this speech, especially since he is a member of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, which I appreciate. He is always there to stand up for the people of his riding, as is the member for Windsor West, …
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Saint-Laurent began by pointing out that the minister will examine the six factors as part of the process. I would like her to comment on transparency. Does she think it is important in a democracy that people know the conditions being imposed on our businesses if they come under foreign ownership? Is it important for people to know what the minister has negotiated, …
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I am so sorry, but the interpretation is not working. I really want to hear my colleague from Saint-Laurent especially because we are finally going to get a Liberal opinion. I would really like to be able to hear her.
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Madam Speaker, it is an honour and a privilege for me to speak to this bill at third reading stage. At its annual general meeting, the Syndicat de la relève agricole d'Abitibi-Témiscamingue called on MPs from the Abitibi-Témiscamingue area to support Bill C-208 and to actively contribute to its passage before the next election. That is my role today in bringing debate to a close at third reading. …
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Madam Speaker, I was saying that Motion No. 38 moved by my colleague from Etobicoke North was important. I do not entirely agree with her that we missed opportunities to talk about science and research over the past year. Particularly in the context of COVID-19, there were several studies that raised these issues. However, I do see that we are having a hard time scheduling the many topics and witn…
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech. We are both members of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, and I really appreciate the work that he does. My colleague mentioned in his speech that it is particularly important to reduce the threshold for triggering a review to zero dollars. Could he tell us more about this recommendation?
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Madam Speaker, I have to say that it is with some reluctance that I rise today because I am fortunate enough to do so as vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. I believe that science and research are very important, and I often talk about this in committee. However, my colleague from Etobicoke North moved this motion and I—
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Madam Speaker, I want to remind the House of a historic moment. On May 20, 2016, during oral question period in the House of Commons, my dear Bloc Québécois colleague, the member for Manicouagan, asked the federal government if it would ensure that retirees are considered preferred creditors when companies go bankrupt. The member asked this question after great misfortune struck the workers and pe…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to apologize to the House for breaking the rules by taking a photograph of a colleague during oral question period on April 14, 2021. I have already apologized to the member personally, but I also wanted to do so publicly. I apologize to him personally, to his family, to our colleagues and to anyone I may have offended. I will close by saying that I have no idea how the i…
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Madam Speaker, the Copyright Act is intended to ensure that artists can earn a living from their art and to protect their work from being copied or used in ways they do not approve of. In fact, discussions with associations like Copibec and Access Copyright have helped me identify issues that need to be brought to our attention, such as fair compensation for creators and publishers for the educati…
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Madam Speaker, my friend Richard Kistabish, also known as Ejinagosi, a former chief of Abitibiwinni nation, which is located in my riding, and a former Anishinabe grand chief, was recently appointed to the Global Task Force for Making a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages, 2022-32. I would remind everyone that the House is located on Anishinabe land. I chatted with him about the bill yesterd…
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Madam Speaker, I congratulate the member for Cambridge on his leadership. My question for him is simple. Are there legislative measures we can take to stop planned obsolescence? What are the environmental impacts? What can we do? How can his bill help us combat planned obsolescence?
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Madam Speaker, my question is about policies. My colleague did a good job of explaining what a policy is, but how should support programs for an industry that invests in innovation for a decade and a half be structured? We are not talking about a COVID-19 program diverted to support Air Canada; we are talking about an assistance program. How can the government create an assistance program for an i…
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Mr. Speaker, in my research I learned that brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger had been awarded the Order of Canada. In Marc Kielburger's case, that was in 2010, so under a Conservative government. I would like to ask my Conservative colleague the following questions: How is the Conservative Party connected to the Kielburger brothers? Could a program like the one involving WE Charity have still com…
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Mr. Speaker, at the risk of snapping my suspenders, I just want to say that the world capital of suspender snapping is in my riding, Abitibi-Témiscamingue. At least, so claims Sainte-Germaine-Boulé, in Abitibi West. They are going to defend that title against the rest of world in a week, on Thursday, April 1, at 10:30 a.m., in front of the giant statue of “Monon'c Jack”. They will be going toe to …
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Madam Chair, first I congratulate you for your commitment, which the minister mentioned in her speech. I also commend the minister for her commitment. I am moved to rise in the House as a man to take part in a debate like this one, because it sheds light on all the psychological distress that men may be experiencing, particularly during this pandemic. I feel we also need to emphasize the importanc…
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Madam Speaker, the Bloc Québécois does not support Bill C-230 because, although the Bloc Québécois believes in a cleaner and fairer world, this bill is unfortunately a direct attack on Quebec's environmental sovereignty. The Bloc Québécois is fully aware that there are disparities in living standards in Quebec and Canada. We are very concerned about that and have been for a long time. Our politica…
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Mr. Speaker, in the context of managing COVID-19, I am curious to know what the parliamentary secretary thinks of today's motion in greater detail. From a democratic point of view and in this context, we agree that we have wasted at least four or five months waiting for the federal government to act. The government put all its eggs in one basket with the deal for the Chinese vaccine. Basically, we…
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Madam Speaker, thousands of people discovered they were victims of CERB fraud and would have to pay income tax. Then the CRA investigated and decided, based on its findings, that the victims will not have to pay that income tax. The problem is that the investigations are taking forever. The deadline for filing tax returns is coming up soon, but the CRA is telling victims to pay and be reimbursed l…
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Madam Speaker, the parliamentary secretary is obviously not calling on the Canada Revenue Agency to support these victims of fraud. It is taking a tremendous amount of time. Victims of CERB fraud should not have to pay taxes on money they never asked for and never received, even if Ottawa is promising to reimburse them. People have seen how the government did with the Phoenix pay system. They have…
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Madam Speaker, the pandemic has changed people's habits and left many workers and their families in uncertainty. In order to maintain many jobs and promote recovery for various sectors, such as tourism, the federal government should make workers the focus of the recovery. The next federal budget should provide for better, more flexible support programs that will help maintain good-quality jobs. Th…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Taiga Motors on their success. This Quebec company is bringing out the first-ever electric snowmobiles and personal watercraft this year. Taiga Motors is aiming to be the Tesla of off-road vehicles and is projected to sell no less than 76,000 vehicles by 2025. Congratulations to the three founders, Samuel Bruneau, Gabriel Bernatchez and Paul Achard, whose compan…
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Madam Speaker, the tourism industry was clearly the proverbial canary in the coal mine, as tourism companies were among the first to be hit by the pandemic. Going back to the example of the cruise line industry, I helped countless constituents who were trapped on cruise ships, with all of the strict public health requirements. I am also thinking of the companies we have met with over the last year…
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Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Yukon for his question. I have never been to Yukon, but I did go to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, in the summer of 2006, so I did have a chance to travel with these airlines. I myself live in a northern region of Quebec that cares deeply about these connections. We have a problem right now, namely Air Canada's entitlements, which will have to be …
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie. His question has many elements. There is one aspect that I find fascinating in the context of the pandemic. On the one hand, the cultural industry needs workers and, on the other hand, it has lost many jobs. This requires specialized support. If we implement measures that can quickly target and meet the specific needs of those in …
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Madam Speaker, it is important for me to speak to this issue this morning. I thank the member for Brampton South for giving us the opportunity to do so. Unfortunately, despite the many efforts that have been made to combat diabetes in Quebec and Canada, this chronic disease continues to progress. The percentage of people with diabetes continues to grow. Nearly 8% of Canadians have either type 1 or…
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Madam Speaker, among the amendments introduced by the Senate is the idea of a joint committee made up of 11 people from the House of Commons and five people from the Senate. The Conservative member raised a number of points for consideration regarding the importance of working collaboratively. What does he think of such a committee? Would that not be an opportunity to hear different points of view…
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of Témiscaming. The recognized strength of our builders made this flagship town located south of the Témiscamingue-Ontario border, a prosperous town close to nature, lakes and forests, a great place to live. Upstream on the Ottawa River, also known as the rivière des Outaouais, Témiscaming is referred to as the garde…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Drummond for his question. This summer, I got to go camping in his riding, as I was unable to stay at a local hotel. In any event, I gave a speech about Bill C-14, and I mentioned the challenges faced by the tourism industry, which the member for Winnipeg North will be happy to hear. In our speeches on this bill, we spoke about the importance of this …
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Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by saying that I will be sharing my time with the hon. member for Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, who is a great advocate of our SMEs in the tourism industry. I could simply talk about the hard times that the tourism industry in Quebec is unfortunately facing right now. There is so much to say about what they have endured. The federal government delayed in p…
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Mr. Speaker, interpretation is certainly a very important issue, as is tourism in Quebec. The tourism industry is crucial to Quebec's regional economies. It employs over 400,000 workers and contributes $15 billion to the Quebec economy. More than two-thirds of these businesses are located outside the greater Quebec City and Montreal areas, and most of them are very small businesses that are agile …
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Mr. Speaker, I am not sure what you mean. Is there a problem with my microphone?
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Mr. Speaker, I would be pleased to invite the hon. member for Sarnia—Lambton to my riding, which has 60 or so towns and villages. If we add the villages that merged with Rouyn-Noranda, that makes 84 communities that have their own elected members and representatives. Each of these territories has at least one regional event, festival or tourist attraction that sets it apart and draws in visitors. …
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Mr. Speaker, I heard the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands say that Ms. Bell has passed away, so I want to begin by offering my condolences to her family and loved ones. I believe she was the one who used the canary analogy at one of our meetings. The people in the tourism industry were the first to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and might be the last to recover. How can we reverse that situat…
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Madam Speaker, on February 2, I asked the Minister of Health, in committee, why the government favoured China over Canada's vaccine production capacity. In response, she said that the decision was guided by the advice of the experts on the COVID-19 vaccine task force. Yesterday, however, Roger Scott-Douglas, the secretary of this vaccine task force, told me that the task force had recommended the …
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Madam Speaker, I look forward to getting my 10 doses, but realistically, I will not get vaccinated for quite some time. The United Kingdom took a different approach. At the beginning of the crisis, it strengthened its production capacity. It brought together a consortium of experts to work on developing a vaccine long before the end of June. They manufactured it locally and are currently conductin…
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Madam Speaker, in his speech, the member for Berthier—Maskinongé said that he had plenty of ideas. I would like him to prove it. What does he want to do about help for farm work, for example? Our farmers need help and resources. How can we provide them with tangible assistance?
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Mr. Speaker, I get the feeling that we have come to plan D, which is about to fail. At committee this morning, the COVID-19 vaccine task force confirmed that it did not recommend that the government participate in the CanSino vaccine project with China. The panel demonstrated that it did not have the scientific basis to recommend the project. The government decided to go ahead anyway, despite the …
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Mr. Speaker, I invite the Deputy Prime Minister to listen to what was said at the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology this morning. She would realize that that may not be the reality. Mr. Scott-Douglas, secretary of the task force, stated that the science suggested not backing CanSino. It is hard to understand the government. It refused, supposedly on the advice of experts, to g…
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Madam Speaker, I thank the Bloc Québécois for giving me the opportunity to speak on this issue, which is all the more important now that ads for sports betting are becoming increasingly common during broadcasts of Canadian sports events on channels like TVA Sports. These ads are not just regulated by Loto-Québec, and we are seeing other initiatives. It is therefore all the more urgent to better re…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw members' attention to Regions Week, an initiative of Place aux jeunes en région. Regions week is an opportunity to showcase our regions, all of the good things about them and the quality of life there, including my region of Abitibi—Témiscamingue. Now more than ever, we need skilled workers, business succession and young people to contribute to the development and…
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Madam Speaker, the first thing I want to say to my colleague is that I could have spent 10 minutes just talking about how business owners are sick of only having access to loans. They need subsidies and cash. If they want to be part of the recovery, they will need cash flow, because they are stretched very thin right now. We are all familiar with the study from the Canadian Federation of Independe…
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