Marianne Dandurand
Compton—Stanstead, Quebec · Liberal · Canada
“The mayor of Martinville, Michel‑Henri Goyette, was the one who reminded me that this issue goes beyond cellphone call quality. He also reminded me that we should not settle for mediocrity. That is why, as my colleague said, I have tackled this issue head-on. That is why I am bringing it before the House.”
“Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I rise today to present a petition signed by residents of the Eastern Townships, other parts of Quebec and even other parts of Canada regarding cellular connectivity in rural areas.”
“[ English ] Bill C‑268 proposes two practical measures. First, it would require a process to verify the accuracy of wireless coverage data. If we want to fix connectivity gaps, we need an accurate picture of where those gaps actually exist.”
“Members of Parliament from every region of the country and every party have described exactly the same reality: roads with no signal, underserved communities, and citizens who cannot rely on their phones when they need them. That is also my personal experience, as I just mentioned.”
“He gave the following example: No one would agree to buy a car that stops working as soon as they turn onto a certain road. In too many rural regions, people are paying full price for cell service that disappears once they reach a certain road or a certain village.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today after my colleagues, and after speaking last month in the House, to conclude debate at second reading on Bill C‑268 . I thank all my colleagues who spoke. I am pleased to see that this is not a partisan issue.”
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“This agency will also build community housing and very affordable housing for households with very low incomes and will partner with private developers to build affordable housing for the middle class. As I was saying, I am from a region that is located outside large urban centres. Something that we hear often is that programs do not reflect the reality of the regions. Sometimes too many units are built or the red tape is overwhelming for the municipalities. It is too much of a burden. Our new approach takes this reality into account. It considers the needs of smaller communities that have limited resources but that also need fewer units and that are just as important. There is no need to build hundreds of units or to complete endless paperwork. We have $13 billion that could be used to build housing both in Montreal and in Stanstead.”
“The Prime Minister recently announced a new federal agency with the mandate to build affordable housing at scale. That agency is called “build Canada homes”. With “build Canada homes”, we will fight against homelessness by building both supportive and transitional housing in partnership with the provinces, territories, municipalities and indigenous communities. Just last week, someone in Sherbrooke was telling me about how modular homes and modular housing could help unhoused individuals transition to other types of housing. That is the kind of project that “build Canada homes” could support. Meeting the needs of the people in our ridings is our goal.”
“Quite frankly, I think our government is giving Canadians the ambitious plan that they deserve and that will make life more affordable. We promised this plan during the election campaign, and we are following through. Our new government took office 151 days ago. Already, many concrete measures have been announced that will have a direct impact on my constituents and on all Canadians. We will continue to present new measures. For example, one of the major challenges we are facing is the cost of housing. We are clearly in the middle of a housing crisis. That is why we are implementing an ambitious new approach to increase the housing supply across the country, including outside major urban centres, in communities like the ones in my riding.”
“I want our institutions to be there to support my constituents when they need it most, but also in the way they need it. As I travelled throughout my riding, I heard people there talk about how much they trust the Liberal Party's commitments and the leadership of the man who has become our Prime Minister . Last spring, my constituents clearly had two opposite choices: a serious party with responsible leadership and a solid plan to get through what we recognize and consider to be tough times, or a party that relies on division and partisan slogans. I want to sincerely thank the folks back home who gave me the largest majority ever seen in the riding of Compton—Stanstead. It is a vote of confidence on their part that I take very seriously, and I am committed to living up to their expectations.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in today's debate. I will be sharing my time with the member for Pickering—Brooklin. My colleagues across the aisle and I share the same concern about the cost of living. This is something I hear about regularly in my riding of Compton—Stanstead. During the election campaign and over the summer, I visited all 36 municipalities in my riding. I covered 5,000 square kilometres. I met people who told me about their challenges and difficulties. I listened to several representatives of the organizations that support those folks. I can say that there are significant challenges. These encounters, the stories I heard and the hope of the people are why I got into politics in the first place and are what encourage me to continue the work begun by my predecessor.”
“Mr. Speaker, like my colleague, I have a keen interest in agriculture. I have had the privilege of going with him to meet with farmers in his constituency, one of those visits being after hurricane Fiona struck Nova Scotia in 2022. I would like my colleague to tell us more about the impact climate change is having on farmers, the measures our government is taking and the effect this is having on food prices.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her very interesting presentation on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, as well as on the use of the notwithstanding clause. Can my colleague elaborate on the use of the notwithstanding clause, in particular its pre-emptive use, which is at the heart of today's debate?”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague was interrupted as he was explaining the difference between using the notwithstanding clause and using it pre-emptively. I would like to give him time to finish that thought.”
“I wish to pay tribute to her memory, to the resilience of women farmers and to all those who courageously continue this fight. Thanks to them, the future of agriculture is stronger, more inclusive and more equitable.”
“Mr. Speaker, this is Gender Equality Week, so I would like to highlight the fundamental role of women in agriculture. For generations, they have been pillars of support who have too often remained in the shadows. Today, they are finally taking their rightful place with strength and determination. I would like to highlight the remarkable work of Agricultrices du Québec, an organization that promotes women in all areas of agriculture. It is with great sadness that I note the tragic passing of its president, Valérie Fortier. Her unwavering passion, leadership and commitment have had a profound impact on the farming community. My deepest sympathies go out to her three children, her loved ones and all women farmers in Quebec.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, who recognizes just how much of a leader Quebec is in the aerospace industry. Quebec is also a leader in artificial intelligence. We are going to need these skills in the coming years to build the economy we are talking about. I would like to add something else: In my region, a lot of people are employed by the automotive and rubber industries. I think that we will be able to develop the rubber industry over the next few years to take advantage of upcoming opportunities. We are building one Canadian economy, because we are removing barriers between the provinces and bringing our economy and our investments back to Canada in order to manufacture at home, process at home and create value at home. All regions will benefit, including Quebec and the riding of Compton-Stanstead.”
“Mr. Speaker, we currently have an outstanding plan to build a Canadian economy. First, we need to break down barriers between the provinces, which is an unique initiative that should have been done a long time ago. Second, we need a plan to ensure that Canada is a superpower, especially when it comes to energy. All the initiatives we are going to undertake will move forward with the agreement of all levels of government. Once the provinces and territories agree on a project that has been submitted, that project can move forward quickly thanks to the new bill we introduced to build one Canadian economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me the opportunity to point out that many of us on this side of the House come from Quebec. We are proud to represent Quebec's interests, and we fight every day here in Ottawa to achieve the best outcomes for Quebeckers. We will continue to do so. I will give another example that my colleague may have seen in recent years. We signed an asymmetrical agreement with Quebec on housing. Under this agreement, we gave $900 million to Quebec, and Quebec contributed the same amount, for a total of $1.8 billion in investments in housing in Quebec. This is money that was not spent elsewhere in the country.”
“The debate should not be about who gets what cheque, but instead about how we support all Canadians in all the provinces in a way that reflects their choices, respects their institutions, and prepares us for tomorrow's challenges. Canadians and Quebeckers do not want squabbling between different levels of government, especially at this time. They want progress, a partnership and serious, results-oriented leadership rooted in principles that respect their decisions. That is fairness, that is federalism, and that is the way forward.”
“The rebates in question were paid to those who bore the cost of the federal carbon tax and to them alone. This is not special treatment; it is integrity in public policy. Canadians across the country want governments that respect their decisions, honour their commitments and get results. The Bloc Québécois motion fails on all these counts. It disregards Quebec's autonomy, it misrepresents how the federal system works, and it sows confusion where there should be clarity. Our government remains committed to working with Quebec and all provinces to fight climate change, grow our economy, and uphold the principles of federalism. We will continue to develop a strategic framework that rewards integrity, consistency and leadership.”
“These investments are tailored to the needs of the provinces and recognize Quebec's leadership on climate and economic planning. (1650) If we want to have an honest debate about fairness, we need to start by defining what fairness really means in a federation. Fairness does not mean treating all jurisdictions the same, regardless of context. It means recognizing that there are differences within the federation, respecting the choices of different provinces and territories, and ensuring that outcomes reflect decisions. Quebec has chosen to keep its carbon revenues. It has chosen to manage its own system, and it is doing so very well. In a country like Canada, fairness means proportionality and consistency. It does not mean rewriting history to provide equivalent payments for different contributions.”
“Across the country, the federal government tailors its investments to each province's unique needs and systems. This is not only appropriate, it is essential, as my colleague from Mount Royal demonstrated. Some agreements are asymmetrical. I will elaborate on that with a few examples of programs that are not the same across Canada. In Alberta, the federal government helps cover the cost of decommissioning orphan wells. British Columbia has received funding for wildfire adaptation and the clean energy transition. Ontario has seen significant investments in electric vehicle and battery production. Quebec, for its part, has received billions of dollars in federal investments, not via the carbon tax rebate, but via direct support for clean innovation, electrification, manufacturing and public infrastructure.”
“Thanks to this success, Quebec has never been subject to the federal fuel tax and, as a result, Quebeckers have never received the Canada carbon rebate, nor have people in British Columbia or the Northwest Territories. It is not an exclusion. It is the result of a respectful division of powers within our federation. Quebec exercised its right to manage climate policy under its jurisdiction, and our government fully accepted and supported Quebeckers' choice. To now suggest that Quebec should be compensated for a program that it did not participate in undermines the very autonomy that the Bloc Québécois is trying to protect. The Bloc Québécois motion evokes a province that has been abandoned, but nothing could be further from the truth.”
“When the federal fuel charge was removed, on April 1, 2025, our government chose to make a final payment. Canadians who had paid the tax until that point were counting on that rebate. This payment was a matter of good governance. The federal government honoured its commitment. Household financial management requires predictability, so that is what a responsible government provides. More than 10 years ago, Quebec made the decision to implement its own carbon pricing system under a cap-and-trade system, which is designed and managed entirely by the Government of Quebec. Quebec collects its own revenue and reinvests it according to its own priorities. This system, which Quebec linked with California's system through the Western Climate Initiative, has been recognized internationally as a credible and ambitious model.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to respond to the motion put forward by the Bloc Québécois, which raises concerns about the carbon rebate that was paid out in April 2025. Let us start with the facts. First, the April 2025 rebate was not a surprise announcement, contrary to what some might suggest. It was not a one-time election initiative, but the continuation, and also the conclusion, of a federal policy that was well established and that we have heard a lot about in the House. The carbon rebate was put in place to return federal fuel charge proceeds directly to households in the territories and provinces where the tax applied. The structure has always been the same: Revenues collected in one province or territory were returned to that same province or territory.”
“Madam Speaker, I want to acknowledge my colleague from Winnipeg South for his involvement in the environment, climate change and water quality. He is very involved in all these issues. I want to come back to what my other colleague was saying. What is the government doing to ensure Canada's long-term resilience with respect to climate change, which is having a growing impact not just in Manitoba, but across Canada, in all sorts of ways, including fires and floods? What action is the government taking on this?”
“Mr. Speaker, that was an historic meeting. Earlier today, some members of the House called it a love-in. When it feels like everyone is working toward the same goal of creating one economy out of 13, we know that we are going to create a lot of wealth in this country. We must build on collaboration between the regions, between the provinces, to ensure that we become more autonomous, more independent, more resilient. That is what ordinary folks want.”
“Mr. Speaker, supply management is indeed a priority. Legislation aside, negotiations with the U.S. government have already started. What we need now is a strong commitment from the government not to cave, but to uphold supply management. The Liberal Party has made that commitment. It is the party that created supply management. That is the first commitment our Prime Minister made when he ran for the leadership of our party. We will continue to promote supply management and we will continue to stand up for it. It is essential for the vitality of our rural communities.”
“Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, just this past weekend, there was a femicide in my riding. Rates of domestic violence are alarming, and we need to tackle this issue head on. That is why we have gun control. Gun violence and domestic abuse often go hand in hand. We really need to protect our citizens. Our government is taking action. Our government believes in a safe society. We will continue to work to ensure that tragedies like these do not happen again.”
“I truly believe that, beyond party lines, the challenges facing regions like mine require not only courage, but also a genuine willingness to work together. On the ground, we do not debate in a vacuum. On the ground, we listen to each other, we help each other, we build, sometimes with little, but always with passion. It is this spirit that I want to bring to the House, the spirit of our farmers, our business owners, our families, and our young people who choose to stay in their community and make their corner of the country thrive. I am ready to get to work.”
“Another issue is border security. This is a real issue for communities like mine, because living near the border is our daily reality. There are significant exchanges between our communities on both sides of the border. I also include our minority language communities. They must be able to thrive everywhere in the country. I would also like to say a word about the essential role of CBC/Radio‑Canada and its importance to Quebec's anglophone communities. Yes, CBC is important. In a world where disinformation is increasingly prevalent, we need the diligent and independent journalism that our public broadcaster can deliver locally. I am committed to bringing these priorities to the table with rigour, consistency and openness in all future debates.”
“We are committed to sound fiscal management, because making life more affordable must never come at the expense of intergenerational fairness. Another important issue in rural areas is connectivity. We have accomplished a lot in terms of high-speed Internet, and we are proud of that. It is time to take another step forward in improving cell coverage by partnering with the provinces, municipalities and the private sector. It is a matter of safety, economic development and fairness. No community should be cut off from the world because of a lack of network coverage. I know that not everything can be said in one speech. There are other issues that I feel strongly about and will continue to advocate for. These include protecting our lakes and natural environments. They are a vital part of our identity and quality of life.”
“That is what the throne speech says. Let us not forget about families and cost-of-living issues. I will start by saying: promise made, promise kept. Our government's first act was to cut taxes for millions of middle-class Canadians. We are committed to maintaining social programs, such as the Canadian dental care plan, which has been fully rolled out. Two million Canadians have already received care. We will maintain pharmacare and the Canada-wide affordable child care system. We are also talking about access to housing and home ownership. We need to build. The “build Canada homes” initiative is an ambitious plan to accelerate construction. We will cut red tape and leverage our resources, our businesses and our expertise.”
“First, on the domestic front, we are working to build one Canadian economy out of 13. We are working to eliminate barriers to interprovincial trade in areas that fall under federal jurisdiction. I am pleased to see Quebec taking concrete steps in this direction with the introduction of a bill last Friday. I would be remiss if I did not mention one pillar of our regional economic development and vitality: agriculture. It is at the heart of our food self-sufficiency and our way of living on the land. For everyone, it is our food security. I am going to start by saying that supply management is simply non-negotiable, full stop. We also have to broaden the agricultural discourse and include other sectors. We need to help big businesses export and small businesses process products locally to create value in our regions.”
“Unfortunately, they are not immune to shocks, especially when U.S. protectionism directly undermines their stability. One example that comes to mind is Waterville TG in the automotive sector. No, the auto industry is not only in Ontario. (1630) I am also thinking about Champeau, in the forestry sector, and Confections Troy, which is part of the textile industry. Their future depends on the predictability of trade as well as the support we can offer them. Our government is already supporting them. We have pumped the revenue from countertariffs into businesses affected by our economic war with the United States. We have reinvested in economic development agencies. We have implemented work-sharing programs to keep workers and employers connected. We have also eliminated the waiting period for EI. We are also growing markets.”
“On the campaign trail, I met with and listened to people in my community, and I took the time to understand their concerns. The number one concern has to do with what is happening south of the border, with our neighbours. I really get a feeling that, beyond the concern, folks want action. They want us to roll up our sleeves and seize the opportunity to create a stronger, more resilient and more united Canada. That is exactly the energy I want to bring here. Let us start by talking about our SMEs. Our SMEs are more than just numbers and balance sheets. They are villages, families and projects rooted in our communities. Our SMEs breathe life into our regions by creating sustainable jobs and maintaining a strong economic system. They represent an opportunity for our young people to build a future where they grew up, without having to leave.”
“border as a shared cultural space between two peoples. For years, Canadians could simply walk along the sidewalk to enter through the U.S. side, a tradition that ended this spring by order of the American administration. In just 30 hours, a grassroots campaign led by Canadians and Americans, French and English, raised the funds to create a new entrance on the Canadian side. That is the spirit of the Eastern Townships: solidarity, resourcefulness, openness and a deep commitment to co-operation and living together. [ Translation ] I would like to take a moment to congratulate my colleagues from Sherbrooke and Brome—Missisquoi . Together we form a united team, determined to give the people of the Eastern Townships a voice at the table where decisions are made, and yes, those folks have a lot to say.”
“I can only hope to live up to the trust they inspired in this beautiful corner of the country that I am so deeply attached to. Compton—Stanstead is a border riding, rich in contrast and full of character, with 36 municipalities spread across nearly 5,000 square kilometres. It is francophone and anglophone, rural and urban, from cultivated farmland to high-tech labs. At the heart of all this diversity, there is a rare kind of harmony, a deep ability to coexist, to collaborate and to reinvent ourselves, especially in times of adversity. In a world that feels increasingly polarized, Compton—Stanstead is a reminder that it is possible to build together, with respect and solidarity. I think of one powerful symbol, the Haskell Library in Stanstead, which was built quite literally on the Canada-U.S.”
“Everywhere I go, I hear about her presence, her thoroughness, her leadership and her ability to get things done. She has been an incredible mentor to me, and her example has also opened the doors to this place. I want to sincerely thank her on behalf of the people of Compton—Stanstead, but also, I dare say, on behalf of women, young people and the regions, who deserve to be heard. [ English ] I would also like to thank the honourable David Price, the very first member of Parliament for our riding, back in 1997. Still today, he continues to serve our community with heart, notably through his ongoing commitment to the Grace Village Care Foundation. Marie-Claude and David served Compton—Stanstead with dedication and effectiveness.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is with great humility and determination that I rise today to deliver my maiden speech in the House of Commons. I do so with a great sense of responsibility to the people of Compton—Stanstead, who put their trust in me and sent me here with a clear mandate. I thank them very much for that. I want to be a strong, engaged and authentic voice for them, a voice for the regions that truly deserve our consideration. I want to take a moment to thank the volunteers, my loved ones and my family who campaigned with me. It is because of their confidence, energy and commitment that I am here today. I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge the Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau , who passionately represented Compton—Stanstead for 10 years.”
“Like me, 44 of my Quebec colleagues were elected as members of the Liberal Party, twice as many as for the Bloc Québécois. Does my colleague recognize that I am a proud Quebec Liberal and I, too, was elected to represent Quebeckers?”
“Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his re-election. I listened very carefully to his speech, which I found to be divisive. However, what I heard during the election campaign was a desire to be more united than ever and to feel close to our fellow Canadians as Quebeckers in order to present a united front against the division sown by the United States. The deeply sovereignist talk from my colleague is not what I heard when knocking on doors. I am a proud Quebecker, born and raised in the Eastern Townships. I went to school in Saguenay. I have lived in the Eastern Townships for almost my entire life. I come from Quebec's regions. I am a proud Quebecker. I ran for the Liberal Party because I believe in its values, in the rule of law, in fairness and in democracy.”
“Could my colleague from Cardigan share how confident he is that the Liberal government will keep promoting and protecting supply management?”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on his election. Like his predecessor, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, he has been as strong advocate for the agriculture sector. As a dairy farmer himself, he understands the importance of supply management for Canadian farmers. While my Bloc Québécois colleagues say that supply management is not being adequately protected, our government has taken concrete steps to support it, and I am sure my colleague can speak to that. Although the Conservatives cut funding for agricultural science, the Liberal government has reinvested and has rehired scientists to support innovation and growth. The Liberals also continue to invest in the Canadian agricultural partnership, standing firmly with farmers.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on her re-election. She has had the privilege of being chosen by her constituents to represent them several times now. That is inspiring for new members like me. She rightly talked about reducing interprovincial trade barriers. That is likely a way to help all Canadians get through the current crisis and deal with the challenges we are facing with our American neighbours. I would like to ask my colleague how she thinks that eliminating those barriers could have a serious and positive impact on the lives of her constituents and the businesses in her riding.”
“Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon on her re-election. I would like to remind her that the Liberal government demonstrated its commitment to seniors by increasing old age security for those aged 75 and up, investing in home care and helping make medication more affordable. Our government also rolled out the dental care plan for all seniors and now for all Canadians. Perhaps if my colleague had listened to the throne speech, she would see that affordability is a priority. Will my colleague back the government's initiatives to help seniors and improve affordability?”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from the Eastern Townships for his speech, and I congratulate him on his election. Given his party's sometimes flexible positions on supply management, I would like to know my colleague's position on supply management for producers in the Eastern Townships.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would first like to congratulate my colleague on her re-election in Sherbrooke and thank her for her help and leadership in our region. I would like to come back to what she said about working closely with her Eastern Townships colleagues. How does she intend to develop and continue her work with her colleagues so that the Eastern Townships are stronger and the wishes of the regions are heard in Ottawa?”