Marie-Hélène Gaudreau
Laurentides—Labelle, Quebec · Bloc Québécois · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, the Laurentians were developed thanks to the P'tit Train du Nord, the cherished dream of Father Labelle. It was a railway line that made it possible to open up the territory and build our communities. For the past 30 years, this iconic route has sustained another mode of transportation.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Department of Natural Resources warned on Thursday that wildfire activity will increase throughout the summer. With hot temperatures expected, 300 mayors are calling on the federal government to abandon its plans for new pipelines, stating in their declaration that more communities are likely to burn to the ground this su…”
“Mr. Speaker, my question is very simple. I would like to know if my colleague opposite, the government leader, has seen or read the remarks by the National Assembly's cybersecurity lead, Stéphane Le Bouyonnec, and if he noticed any red flags. In committee, Mr.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think we are all starting to feel a little worse for wear—sitting here until midnight, constantly voting and dealing with closure motions. In short, we are all in the same boat, and we are all telling ourselves that we need to be strong, that we will get through this. I am going to ask my colleague a very simple question.”
“Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague. I served on the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs for over two years. Yes, we had begun considering this issue before any foreign interference occurred. It took up some 70 meetings; I remember it like it was yesterday. My question is very simple.”
“Mr. Speaker, it has been a long time since we sat on the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs for a number of meetings. We were just starting the study, and I am pleased to have an outcome like this. My question for my colleague is quite simple.”
The complete record
Every one of 193 lines we hold for Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 4.
“Mr. Speaker, I worked for decades for labour market partners, including the youth employment centres that we have in Quebec, and I learned one thing: Employment insurance benefits were the only benefits that had not yet been transferred for Quebec to manage. Unfortunately, it did not happen. Right up until 2017, there were prior learning recognition agreements in place to allow educational institutions and businesses, among others, to work together on round tables to ensure that specific skilled trade qualifications were aligned with the labour market. It started in 1997, and by 2017, progress was still being made on issuing credentials in each province, and it was up to them to make improvements if they had difficulty in managing things, but what we are seeing today is a step backward.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again, what movie is this? I was there, back in 1997, in the era of the labour market agreement, occupational training and the creation of the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail. It is no mystery what is going on here in Ottawa. Businesses are struggling to survive because of the relentlessly rising tariffs. We were told to expect a big surprise after a year. Why is the government is still trying to interfere in areas that are functioning well in the provinces? Why is it proposing this bill? Does the government not have enough work or what?”
“Mr. Speaker, how can the government reconcile the fact that it is promoting co-operation and negotiation when we are being hit with this right in the face? In the end, we were told that the government was upholding a tradition. I do not understand. Someone please explain it to me.”
“Mr. Speaker, veterans who are suffering are forced to participate in PCVRS under pressure from Ottawa, even when it worsens their symptoms. They are caught up in a bureaucracy that is hurting them. They are repeatedly confronted with their traumas by poorly trained therapists who contradict the advice of health care professionals, yet Ottawa is considering extending the program for another six years without evaluating its effectiveness. Before moving forward, will the minister launch an independent investigation into the human impact of PCVRS?”
“Mr. Speaker, far too many veterans suffer from mental health issues. To help them, Ottawa created a program called partners in Canadian veterans rehabilitation services, or PCVRS. However, instead of helping, it is hindering. A survey of 51 mental health professionals found that PCVRS makes veterans' health worse. They are misdiagnosed by unqualified employees. Worse still, if they boycott the program, Ottawa threatens to reduce their benefits. Do veterans deserve that kind of treatment?”
“Mr. Speaker, the words “sense of duty”, “tenacity” and “strength of character” are not enough to describe retired captain Hélène Le Scelleur. She served with courage in the Canadian Armed Forces for 28 years, particularly in the Balkans and in Afghanistan, guided by a deep sense of duty. However, her dedication extends beyond her uniform. Today, she continues to serve in different ways. She is very outspoken about injustices, particularly at Veterans Affairs Canada and on the issue of the Presence in Absence monument. She even had the courage to resign from the Women Veterans Council, despite the consequences, in order to remain true to her convictions. Today, she is pursuing doctoral studies with the same determination. Hélène Le Scelleur is a woman who keeps going even in the face of adversity, and she deserves our respect.”
“Mr. Speaker, the words “sense of duty”, “tenacity” and “strength of character” are not enough to describe retired captain Hélène Le Scelleur. For 28 years she served in the Canadian Armed Forces— I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, but it is noisy.”
“Would my colleague be willing to revisit the idea of a limit of $500 per person, for example? How about that? This is a topic that will likely be discussed at committee.”
“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's attention to detail. I have attended several meetings of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs with him. I have a question for him. What about public funding for parties? The goal is to promote fairness, justice and democracy. Clearly, one of the things that public funding does is reduce the number of friends and loved ones with deep pockets. That is what was done in Quebec. The donation limit was lowered to $100 a year, regardless of how much each individual can afford to give, and the limit goes up to $200 during an election year. In 2011, the Conservatives eliminated the per-vote subsidy. Basically, to compensate the parties, the allowable amount was increased. This amount is now more than $1,780. It must be even higher, in fact, and honestly, it is really unfair.”
“Mr. Speaker, it took 70 meetings to finally secure an independent public inquiry. My question is very simple: With Bill C-25 , does my colleague believe that this independent public inquiry was a good thing and that it will enable us to make changes? We have worked very hard and I believe that, today, we will be able to hold fair and democratic elections. What does my colleague think?”
“Mr. Speaker, I listened to my colleague's remarks, and I would like to point out that, when we discussed foreign interference, several colleagues here agreed with me, following those 70 meetings, that an independent public inquiry into the issue of foreign interference needed to be called. This bill is not only important, but essential. Since our own Privacy Commissioner lacks sufficient enforcement powers to deal with the Chinese vehicles that are coming to Canada, would my colleague agree that this is urgent and that the committee needs to have safeguards strong enough to ensure that our elections reflect a healthy democracy?”
“Using the justice system and judges as political tools is a road to nowhere, except to inflate dubious theories. Do we want an American-style system, with all the problems that come with it, or do we want a justice system worthy of the name? I believe and hope that we can all agree on the answer. Populism is on the rise all over the world. It is a troubling trend. As a member of Parliament, I have made it my mission to stand as a bulwark against populism and to always focus on the facts. I urge my colleagues from all parties to do the same. Let us send this bill to committee and have it studied thoroughly to ensure that it meets our legal principles. That is why I am saying here today that we need to look at the facts and send the bill to committee.”
“It is an opportunity to hear from academics and experts on the issues at hand. In this case, that will include families, loved ones, and the Parole Board of Canada, to learn in detail exactly how things work in practice. We need to challenge assumptions and sit down to ensure that the system is working as it should. (1620) That is why the Bloc Québécois will vote in favour of the bill, because this matter deserves to be addressed with all the seriousness, diligence, and impartiality that the issue of justice demands. Just two weeks ago, when I rose here to speak to a Conservative Party justice bill, I said that the justice system is under attack throughout the west. It is a tactic employed by the far right and various fringe groups. I have said this on several occasions since becoming a member of Parliament, and that concerns me.”
“Once again, the Conservative Party wants to severely restrict the discretion of the members of the Parole Board of Canada. Once again, the party of law and order wants to control the law. Nevertheless, setting aside partisan considerations, I want to say that, despite these reservations, I recognize that victims' loved ones deserve answers and that this bill deserves to be studied in committee. This actually allows me to point out that parliamentary committee work is fundamental to demystifying complex issues. My colleague from Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon just talked about this in the context of Bill C-8 . It is easy to introduce bills to pander to one's base, but the bill has to pass the smell test and that is what parliamentary committees are for.”
“In fact, Australia since 2015, the United Kingdom since 2019 and the United States since 2021 have had similar legislation in some of their federated states, although studies suggest that these laws are unnecessary and even violate certain rights of inmates, in addition to transforming the goal of the parole system from rehabilitation to punishment. As is always the case when the Conservative Party introduces bills related to the justice system, the Conservatives' vision of justice is not justice in the noble sense of the word. All too often, the official opposition wants Canada's justice system to be about revenge. Not only that, but the parole system already takes certain criteria into account when making its decisions. Once again, the Conservative Party wants the legislative branch to play a role in the administration of justice.”
“I stand with them wholeheartedly in ensuring that services for the vulnerable are not interrupted in the future. Today, we are discussing Bill C-236 . The Bloc Québécois will be voting in favour of the bill because we want to study it in committee. It is a Conservative Party bill that is at second reading stage. I should mention, however, that the bill may be unnecessary. Let me explain. The case cited by the Conservative Party to justify this bill shows that the Parole Board of Canada already takes account of refusals to disclose the location of a victim's body and refusals to admit guilt.”
“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. I commend the organizations that have been around for 40 years. I will name a few: La Griffe d'Alpha, Maison Lyse-Beauchamp for the homeless, L'Arche du Nord, La Petite Mission, and Maison de la Famille du Nord. There are so many of them and they are part of our social fabric. Our regions need them, and this is a unique model that Quebec has developed over the decades.”
“I want to be clear: The Supreme Court does not order judges to impose sentences based solely on a person's immigration status, but rather to consider it as one factor among others so that the sentence and its consequences are proportionate to the gravity of the offence. The Conservatives want a system of revenge. What I want, and what my colleagues in the Bloc Québécois want, is an impartial, transparent justice system that is free of partisanship. Do we want an American-style system riddled with abuse, or do we want a real justice system? A justice system is what defines a government. I am a sovereignist, as everyone knows. I want Quebec to be a republic, as everyone also knows. In the meantime, I live in Canada and I do not want to live in a society where the justice system is at the mercy of the government in power. That is dangerous.”
“In addition, Bill C‑220 also states that a judge would not be able to consider the effect that a sentence might have on a family member. I want to point out that I am deeply uncomfortable with this provision. It could have the effect of undermining the best interests of a child. That is very concerning. (1800) I am also concerned about the Conservatives' attempts to restrict judges' discretion. In order for judges to do their job, they must have the freedom to impose sentences that are individualized and proportionate to the gravity of the offence. They must be able to weigh all the factors.”
“Generally, those who support law and order also support fairness in the justice system. They support transparency in the justice system. They support a justice system that judges everyone equally. However, that is not the premise of this bill. The Bloc Québécois agrees with the principle that the effect that a sentence has on the offender's immigration status cannot be the determining factor in sentencing. However, that should not be done with a negative view. The Conservatives mentioned the Pham case, but do they understand it? The 2013 ruling does not state anywhere that the immigration consequences of a sentence must take precedence. The court simply noted that the immigration consequences of a sentence are one consideration among many.”
“Since becoming a member of Parliament, I have said this many times, and it worries me: weaponizing the justice system and judges is a road to nowhere. All it does is inflate dubious theories. It is the job of parliamentarians to look into the matter. If there is a problem, then it is up to us to fix it, but please, let us not use partisanship to undermine our institutions. I have a question for the Conservatives. They claim to be in favour of law and order, so why did the Harper government amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, or the IRPA, to reduce the criterion for serious criminality from two years less a day to six months? I think that is a valid question. Why did the Conservatives amend the IRPA to prohibit a person from appealing a removal order if they are inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality?”
“It conflates the law with the conception of an idea and a value rather than what should take precedence in law: the facts. It is actually harmful to democracy, because not relying on facts is harmful to democracy. That is why the Bloc Québécois wants the bill to go to parliamentary committee so that the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights can examine the facts, the reality, the case law, and do diligent work. The judicial system is under attack across the western world. This is a tactic used by the extreme right and alternative movements. Let us not bring this discussion into our province. Quebec is a place that has been spared this rhetoric, and it is our duty as parliamentarians, but also as Quebeckers, to fight against the current trend of having politics interfere with justice.”
“Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise to speak to Bill C‑220 , an act to amend the Criminal Code regarding immigration status in sentencing. I think it is a shame that we have to talk about immigration this evening because of a bill. What we should be talking about are the business owners and claimants who are paying the price for the unacceptable delays caused by the mismanagement of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship . In Laurentides—Labelle, people are concerned and upset and their trust in democratic institutions is suffering. That is the real problem we should be dealing with. The Bloc Québécois is cautious about Bill C-220 because this Conservative bill is rife with disinformation, demagoguery and populism. We are getting used to that. This bill is biased because it conflates facts and perceptions.”
“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?”
“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 at tearing down what is being built. Is my colleague aware that, if there is pressure in the interest of economic prosperity, the new measures in the budget will make it possible to change course and potentially not meet the targets?”
“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. He is one of those guardian angels who, each in their own way, have taken their combat experience and used it to help others. Serving others is their mission in life. I would like to introduce the House to retired captain Jocelyn Démétré, the founding president of Hero Lodge, a retreat in the Northwest Territories that he funds with revenue from his book, and a recipient of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.”
“As a member of the Bloc Québécois, I will always stand up to defend these fundamental and intrinsic principles of the Quebec sovereignist movement.”
“Perhaps it is being done for the sole purpose of getting around the Bloc Québécois, which holds the balance of power at standing committees. We will say that again and again, because this situation is exceptional. The government knows that just three votes in the House will enable it to do an end run around Quebeckers, who wanted 22 separatists, 22 people who love Quebec, 22 champions of Quebec's distinct nature, 22 patriots to advocate for them right here in the Parliament of Canada. Many people might find this part of the process irritating. I can hear them laughing, but they cannot bulldoze us. The rules of democracy exist to prevent unilateral decisions. Parliament must not become a chamber that rubber-stamps executive decisions. It must be a chamber of debate, reflection and oversight of government.”
“Why does Motion No. 16 direct the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates to look into this matter? If we are talking about providing housing for veterans, I am sure that my colleagues on the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs would be honoured to study the issue of housing, homelessness and surplus land available. That is committee work, after all. I fundamentally believe that committees are autonomous and that their work should not be dictated by the House. This precedent, a word we have heard so often, would give members of non-recognized parties like the NDP and the Green Party the ability to direct the work of committees based on an order of the House. I am concerned about setting this kind of precedent because it is not being done out of compassion.”
“House of Commons Procedure and Practice , fourth edition, at page 795, states the following: The Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates has a very broad mandate, which includes, among other matters, the review of the effectiveness, management and operation of the central departments and agencies, and the review of the effectiveness, management and operation of new and emerging information and communication technologies by the government. That is a lot. The committee is also mandated to review the process for considering the estimates and supply, and the format and content of estimates documents. The Standing Orders also empower the committee to amend certain votes that have been referred to other standing committees as part of the estimates, in coordination with those committees. (1750) I will ask my question again.”
“Let me be clear: I am in no way against the substance, but I am against the form. If the Liberal government wanted to launch a study on the subject, it could have done so in committee. The Liberals have four members on the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. Those four members are competent and know how the parliamentary system works. They know full well that they can move a motion to study the subject. However, the government has decided to do so here in the House. I come back to my question: why?”
“The third point says this: (b) it be an instruction to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates to undertake a study on alternative ways to make use of underused and surplus federal lands and buildings, in ways that help reinvigorate communities by serving as centers that provide services for veterans, provided that... I will always be an ally of veterans. I will always be there to stand up for their basic needs. I keep saying that we need to see to their basic needs. What are those needs? They are food, shelter, and security. I am the first to call for dignity for veterans. I am the first to ask that their needs be met, that they be consulted—it is a small word, but it is crucial—and that we not patronize them. However, I am very aware that they are currently being exploited.”
“More than 10 years ago, Justin Trudeau's Liberals committed to reaching 2%. It is a bit ridiculous to claim that this is earlier than expected. The second point reads as follows: (ii) the assumption that an increasing number of CAF service members will lead to a growth in the ranks of Canadian veterans over the next few decades; That is an insult to the active military personnel who contact me as the Bloc Québécois veterans critic. The housing for active military personnel is outdated. There is a severe lack of investment. It is scary. The houses are like sieves. We are hearing more and more news about this every day.”
“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 and House Affairs for three years. I was surprised to see the Liberals take the initiative to move this motion. Let us examine it together. To begin, the motion asks for the following: That: (a) the House recognize, (i) that the government is making historic investments in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to meet our NATO funding targets earlier than committed, First of all, that is not true.”
“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, eat some turkey and rest before coming back to deliberate on the 634 pages of the budget. In the meantime, I am hoping my colleague can tell me, with Carney's major shift in oil—”
“In 2024, Quebec ranked fourth in terms of opioid-related deaths, with 645 deaths. Even one death is too many. I explained the approach being used in Quebec. Considering the reduction it achieved in deaths from opioid overdoses, I hope that all the other provinces and territories will consider using it too. I thank my colleagues, and I want to take this opportunity to wish them all a happy holiday. I also want to wish my colleague a lot of courage and compassion.”
“I would therefore like to commend my colleague for his very moving speech. If he needs a hand at any time to fine-tune this life-saving bill, we are here for him. It is very sad that David will not be here this Christmas, but the action we are taking here will have an impact, and it will not just be a drop in the ocean. On the contrary, it is a small step that will turn into a big step, and it will help all young people, particularly those experiencing major challenges. With the two minutes I have left, I am going to share some statistics. As my colleague said, the opioid crisis caused 20 deaths a day in Canada in 2024. That adds up to 53,821 opioid-related deaths, according to data from March 2025. Men are more likely than women to die from an opioid overdose.”
“This bill will allow us to collect information and to have the tools needed to ensure that our young people receive the support they need. Obviously, we also need research, training and addiction treatment. I spoke about naloxone a few minutes ago, but naloxone is an emergency antidote for use in exceptional circumstances. There are many other treatments that I will not speak to this morning. Obviously, there is treatment of pain. Sometimes, people use cannabis to relieve physical pain, while others use it for mental pain. We need to speak about that too, and I have seen that more and more people are willing to do so. Men and women of all ages are increasingly opening up about their pain. Suffering is not something that can be measured; it is something each of us experiences differently.”
“We can say already that Quebec has an advantage in the form of its 2018-20 national strategy for psychoactive substance overdose prevention, which aligns perfectly with the steps proposed by my colleague in his action plan. (1135) First and foremost, we must educate people and raise their awareness. That is what we are doing today. That is important. Second, we need to prevent overdoses and re-educate people about harmful effects. That means we need to address the underlying causes of drug use. My colleague put it very clearly: People use drugs recreationally, but there are also those who use drugs as a crutch because they are suffering. Obviously, that is what we are dealing with today. We need to produce legislation, along with public policies and regulations. We need to have monitoring and surveillance.”
“This gives me an opportunity to share that in the years that followed, I made sure that the community organizations where I lived had as many tools as possible to help teens and young adults. I commend the work done in Quebec by the organization Mesures alternatives, which has locations throughout the province. The one I am most familiar with is Mesures alternatives des Vallées du Nord. I wish to recognize Marc‑André Roy in particular. I do not know how long he has worked there, but I do know that his focus is prevention, and I am sure the statistics reflect some solid results. Although my colleague did not wish to present any statistics, I think it would be a good idea to compile the current data so that once the bill is passed, the impact on prevention efforts can be measured.”
“Today, tighter security is required because there are increased concerns and complications when a mental health issue, including drug and psychotropic use, goes undiagnosed. It became clear to me when I was 20 that people should not be punished; rather, they should be supported and listened to so that they can receive the necessary care. I would also like to say that for a number of years, I have almost always had a naloxone kit with me. As elected representatives, we are often in contact with crowds at events, and we never know when a situation may arise. I would encourage all my colleagues to get a kit, as naloxone is an extremely valuable antidote than can save a life in the event of an overdose.”
“I am thinking of David and David's friends, and I am thinking of Caro and my colleague, because Christmas is right around the corner, and that is always a major milestone. I am glad that we already talking about it in 2025, so we can take action as quickly as possible. My colleague is right to say that the “war on drugs” approach does not work. I can speak to this because, when I first started out in my career way back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, I was involved in psychosocial intervention in the areas of drug addiction and suicide prevention. At that time, things were very different than they are today, as frontline workers would go directly to the scene whenever an incident was reported.”
“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 programs for young persons. This would allow courts to delay sentencing to enable the young person to participate in an addiction treatment program. The bill also provides that failing or refusing to comply with treatment conditions cannot by itself result in detention. My colleague can rest assured that the Bloc Québécois will vote in favour of a bill that will help save lives.”
“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—”
“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 suffering, but when someone is suffering from mental health issues, that is invisible. My colleague is taking an important step with this bill. I wonder if he agrees with me that our organizations will need health transfers in order to have all the resources they need to help our minors.”
“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 an event of this scale. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Arianne Forget and Justine Lamontagne, two Quebec women who will be racing down the slopes. As the Bloc Québécois tourism critic and member for Laurentides—Labelle, I am proud to see Tremblant, the Laurentians and Quebec in the global spotlight. I commend the leadership of Patrice Malo and his entire team, who make Mont-Tremblant an outstanding resort.”
“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 mirrors to win votes?”
“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 forestry industry?”
“What is more, 30% of children become direct victims of violence themselves. Children who are exposed to violence are seven times more likely to develop anxiety disorders. I hope that we will quickly vote to refer the bill to committee for review so that we can offer all the victims the help they deserve.”
“Due to the current economic situation, people who leave their homes are worried about what is going to happen next. Will they have the necessary means, resources and financial support? This organization has just built housing units for these women and children, so they can take the time to get back on their feet, regain their freedom and and become self-reliant by reclaiming their power. That takes courage, but it also takes time. Often, time is what is lacking. I believe that, today, we will be able to take a step in the right direction. In closing, I would like to make one last point. We talk a lot about women, but we should also talk about children. Sixty per cent of children are exposed to domestic violence. It has been noted that they develop trauma-related symptoms, which is something that should not be overlooked.”