44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 5, 2023 11:00AM
- Jun/5/23 2:15:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, forest fires are currently burning across Quebec on a terrifying scale. The fires cover an area roughly equivalent to the Island of Montreal. People have had to be evacuated from Abitibi—Témiscamingue and northern Quebec, as well as the north shore. The smog filling the sky is a reminder that this situation is not normal.
Once again, at a time of crisis, we can count on the solidarity of the men and women who have been evacuated and who are co-operating with public safety authorities. We can count on the solidarity of the SOPFEU, the firefighters have come from all over Quebec, as well as the rest of Canada, France, Portugal and the United States, to battle the blaze. They are all working together tirelessly to fight this devastating fire. We can also count on the solidarity of members of the armed forces who are providing operational support in many ways, starting with aid for evacuees. Lastly, we can count on solidarity between levels of government, because we can and must work hand in hand when dealing with a disaster of this magnitude.
These forest fires will be put out. We will face them together, and we will defeat them together.
On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I wish everyone good luck.
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- Jun/5/23 10:53:30 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Sudbury for her speech and her concern. Sudbury is like the Rouyn-Noranda of Ontario. I feel like I know her riding almost by heart, even though it has been a number of years since I went to see the Big Nickel as a small child.
One of the issues that is of great concern to people in my region is air quality. I am sure the same is true in Sudbury. Even in places where are no fires, the air quality is clearly being affected. As bad as it was today in the Outaouais and Ottawa region, it was even worse at home over the weekend.
Are there any measures the government could take to improve air quality and ensure that it helps the most vulnerable people, especially seniors?
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- Jun/5/23 11:05:48 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I want to begin by thanking my colleague from Chicoutimi—Le Fjord for his kind words and for standing in solidarity with all regions of Quebec. I thank him for his kind words about my colleague from Lac-Saint-Jean.
As he mentioned, now is the time to stand together. People in our communities are very anxious.
I would like the member to talk about coordination between public safety officials and the SOPFEU and how they are working on the ground. I would also like him to talk about the important role that we, as elected officials, can play as a liaison and the importance of communications and local media.
I would like the member to talk about how to get the message out and to share the necessary information to keep people safe.
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- Jun/5/23 11:43:46 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak to a subject that is vitally important to my region of Abitibi—Témiscamingue and all areas of northern Quebec that are dealing with raging wildfires.
As my colleague mentioned, I am going to get back on the road following this evening's debate. It made sense for me to be here today. It gave me an opportunity to talk to many members, particularly on the government side, who are stepping up. I think that enhances the work that we can do as elected officials, and I thank them for it.
I stand before my colleagues with a heavy heart and a deep sadness to talk about the areas that have been ravaged by fire and the people who live there.
Many of the fires were caused by lightning, but human activity also contributed to the situation. The fire, which has a mind of its own, is laying to waste our peaceful forests, leaving in its wake widespread destruction reminiscent of an apocalyptic movie. One need only look at the photos of cities in Abitibi—Témiscamingue, northern Quebec, the north shore or Lac-Saint-Jean, where the sun is hidden behind a haze of smoke and where you can smell wood burning a hundred kilometres away from the affected areas.
In these areas, where nature is lush and vibrant, there are now only ashes or burning memories. The majestic forests that shelter an incredible diversity of animal and plant species will be reduced to blackened stumps and silent cries.
There is something far more precious than the trees and flowers that have been ravaged by the flames: the human lives that have been affected by this tragedy. After being evacuated, many families are waiting to find out whether their home and their belongings avoided the worst. Many people are waiting to find out whether the lands filled with their memories will still be there after the fires have gone or whether loved ones will be affected. Lives have been disrupted, dreams are now on hold. My thoughts are with the Clova community.
Through the darkness of the smoke, the light of solidarity has guided us. The people of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, of the north shore and of every region in Quebec stand together. The people of these regions have joined forces to face adversity.
Firefighters are on the front lines. They are fighting fires, facing the flames and prepared to fight to save communities. Volunteers are working alongside them. Armed with machinery and backhoes, they are putting their know-how at the service of their community. Thousands of unknown heroes are volunteering without expecting anything in return.
Police officers, first responders, municipal authorities and SOPFEU are there. They are making preparations and assessing the risks. They support one another to protect people's assets and ensure everyone's safety.
In addition, there are all the people in the community who are helping out, offering land, housing, food or a cot. They are ready to lend a helping hand to save animals, especially in farming areas, by working together, supporting each other and sharing tears, suffering and worries. The solidarity of Quebec regions is a source of inspiration to us all. This solidarity will continue to be essential for our communities until the last fire threatening them is put out.
I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the situation back home in Abitibi—Témiscamingue. When a disaster of this magnitude occurs, information is often hard to come by. I would like to salute my brother Philippe, who is a regional director with the Quebec department of transport. He was able to reassure me on certain points and give me the facts, which is always important.
An important meeting was held yesterday under the leadership of the Conference of Prefects of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Sébastien D'Astous, the mayor of Amos and prefect of the Abitibi RCM. Also at the meeting was Danielle Guimond from Quebec's public safety department, which was reassuring. However, this meeting also made us realize the amount of work that needs to be done on the ground.
Of course, I want to recognize the work being done by SOPFEU, and especially Sylvain Labelle, who coordinates its operations. There is also the Abitibi-Ouest RCM and its prefect, Jaclin Bégin, as well as Norman Lagrange, who was on the ground to set up one of the camps in La Sarre.
Today my colleagues may have heard for the first time in their lives the names of the towns of Normétal and Val-Paradis. Both communities were threatened by the flames and had to be evacuated.
I also want to commend all the elected officials in Abitibi—Témiscamingue who are rallying together, particularly my provincial counterpart Suzanne Blais, the MNA for Abitibi-Ouest, with whom I have had discussions.
The real work will begin once these fires are put out. Many forest communities may have seen their livelihoods disappear. Nearly 3.3 million hectares of forest have been decimated in Canada. This will require an inner strength that will be seriously put to the test.
Solidarity will guide us once again. We will have to rebuild what was lost and heal the wounds. The regions devastated by fire will need us to help them rebuild and restore hope.
We must invest in fire prevention, improve early warning systems and strengthen safety measures. We must also redouble our efforts to fight climate change and climate deregulation, which increase the frequency and intensity of these natural disasters.
This has a major economic impact. Who knows what the flames will have devoured in our communities or what road or rail infrastructure has been affected? I am thinking of the north shore. Just think about the serious impact that the destruction of fibre optic infrastructure alone has on communication with the rest of the world at a time when people need information. We cannot imagine what an impact that can have.
All of this will take time, effort and, most importantly, money. I know that the governments will step up. The economy of the regions will depend on it.
We must show empathy and compassion to those who have been affected by this tragedy. We must reach out to them, give them our support and comfort. Together, we can heal the wounds, rebuild homes and help communities get back their joie de vivre.
One thing is certain: The forest will need our help the most. It contributes to our economy and our environment. My region centres on outdoor activities, outfitting operations and forestry. The forest has always been resilient, but this time, it may need some help. It is up to all of us to contribute. We need to replant trees, while respecting the principles of sustainable forestry management. Let us remember one thing: Out of the ashes of these apocalyptic scenes, a seedling will emerge, its branches held high.
This is not the first time our forests have been through such an ordeal. I am thinking about a squat little cedar tree on the islands in Lake Abitibi in Duparquet. It has witnessed much history, being more than a thousand years old. It has pretty much seen it all, from climate change and forest fires to the arrival of settlers in Abitibi—Témiscamingue, all the way back to the coming of the Anishinabe first nations. It still stands there, proud and tall, just as Quebeckers in our region will stand proud and tall after this difficult time, ready to rebuild and ready to reforest to help our Quebec continue to prosper.
As I have a little bit of time left, I will continue to name those involved. The armed forces are making a difference in our communities, especially the soldiers from Valcartier who have been mobilized. The Union des producteurs agricoles has made itself available to the people who have been asked to support the cattle that are particularly affected in Abitibi-Ouest and to try to find refuge. There may be some assistance in that regard. Due to the lack of resources in small municipalities, they will require a helping hand.
Once again, I want to salute the excellent work of SOPFEU. I want to point out the excellent work of my colleague, the member for Manicouagan, who was a source of inspiration in the current situation. In Abitibi—Témiscamingue, I feel somewhat like the little white house in Lac-Saint-Jean on the weekend. It is as though the entire neighbourhood was burning, but only my house was unaffected. We could smell the forest fire in Larder Lake in Rouyn‑Noranda, which is about one hundred kilometres away.
Of course, when speaking of Chapais and Lebel‑sur‑Quévillon, there is everything that is happening in the riding of my colleague from Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou. The fire was 500 metres from the Nordic Kraft mill and could have had devastating consequences given all the potential explosive products on site.
There are the indigenous Anishinabe communities of Lac‑Simon and Kitcisakik; Louvicourt, which is the gateway from Abitibi—Témiscamingue to the rest of Quebec; Val‑d'Or, which has had evacuation alerts; the people of Normétal and their mayor, Ghislain Desbiens, who have had to mobilize; Saint‑Lambert also had an alert; Saint‑Dominique‑du‑Rosaire and its mayor, Christian Legault, whom I would like to acknowledge and to whom I spoke briefly today, where fires broke out and were quickly brought under control; La Reine and Fanny Dupras, with whom I have frequent discussions. I want to say thank you and bravo for their resilience and for welcoming the SOPFEU teams.
All of this unimaginable work is being done in collaboration. Solidarity remains perhaps the most important value under the circumstances.
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- Jun/5/23 11:54:20 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her excellent speech and her concern about the issue of indigenous communities. Of course, it is very difficult for me to suggest concrete solutions at this point, but, certainly, some will have to be found.
It makes me wonder about the economic model that has been promoted for decades and that may have brought about the result we are seeing today.
The first nations in my riding, particularly the Anishinabe people, are in my thoughts. Perhaps they will be able to share their philosophy and spirituality with us, in the circumstances. Most importantly, we will have to rely on our patience, resilience and strength as human beings. I will no doubt be guided by that.
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- Jun/5/23 11:56:31 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, who is co-vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology and who is an inspiration to me, especially under the circumstances. As I said, I am going to hit the road so I can become the man on the ground that he has been for the people back home in his riding. He gave us several examples, including the lobster industry.
I see a broader issue here. It is about decentralization. Why can the people themselves not be the ones to decide on the ownership of their resource, in order to ensure its sustainable development? Why can they not be the ones to decide when the season is, based on community priorities and the sustainable management of the stock? I see this as a critical aspect.
The member has reminded us of the human element, of the people who are risking their lives and working such long hours. They will go to the front, literally, and leave their families to help others. I sincerely appreciate them.
The international community is also helping. I mentioned that in an earlier speech. There are people coming from France, the United States, Portugal and South America. I am very touched and inspired by that show of solidarity. I hope that every community in Canada will live in such solidarity. It is happening in Abitibi—Témiscamingue, northern Quebec, Nova Scotia and Alberta.
We have some serious questions to ask ourselves, but the best answer will be to stand in solidarity.
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