SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 195 - May/11/23

May/11/23 10:33:38 a.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, that is a completely different but extremely interesting question. The Bloc Québécois believes in generous immigration, which is not to be confused with opportunistic immigration. We are not here to provide cheap labour to businesses, but rather quality jobs to people who choose to come live in Quebec or Canada. In order to have a significant economic impact, this must be done with a certain degree of efficiency. Few governments remember the meaning of the word “efficiency” after seven or eight years in office. Frankly, I think that the people opposite never knew it. The process right now is long and costly, involving a great deal of paperwork, and often has to be started over. We made suggestions for streamlining the process that were completely non-partisan and that the government could have claimed as its own, such as extending the length of permits, eliminating the requirement to renew them, and making it easier for workers to come work here, some of them on a seasonal basis, to ease the path for people who want to come live in Quebec or Canada. The issue is not how many, but how. Our suggestions would have had a huge impact on our economy. The government says that it is the nicest and most generous government in the world, but in practice, it is the most bureaucratic and least efficient in the world.

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Context: House Hansard - 195 - May/11/23

Ms. Leah Taylor Roy (Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, Lib.)

May/11/23 11:06:40 a.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, my questions are about the economic benefits of welcoming immigrants. At the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food we discussed the closing of the Olymel plant in Vallée‑Jonction, Quebec. One reason for the closure is the shortage of workers. I think that is also a big problem for Quebec. Could the minister explain the importance of immigrants to Quebec's economy?

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Context: House Hansard - 195 - May/11/23

Mr. Francis Scarpaleggia

May/11/23 12:51:25 p.m.
Watch

Madam Speaker, that is an interesting question. We need to attract newcomers to Quebec who speak French or who are open to learning it. However, we need a strong economy to attract them. To have a strong economy, we need to address the labour shortage, so it is a bit of a vicious circle. A weak economy will not help Quebec. If the economy is weak, then people will look for work elsewhere. That happened in the 19th century when there was an exodus from Quebec because there were no jobs there. We therefore need a strong economy. That is essential to having a strong Quebec within a united Canada.

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Context: House Hansard - 195 - May/11/23

Hon. François-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Lib.)

May/11/23 2:47:01 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. Listening to Canadians is exactly what we did. It is something that the Conservatives should do. Canadians told us three things. First, they told us that they need help with the cost of groceries. That is why we proposed a grocery rebate that will help 11 million Canadians across the country. Second, Canadians told us that they want a family doctor. That is why we took action in health. Third, Canadians told us that they need help getting ready to succeed in the 21st-century economy. That is exactly what we are doing. We are positioning Canada for the 21st-century economy.

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