SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 288 - Feb/29/24

Mr. Luc Desilets (Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, BQ)

Feb/29/24 2:02:26 p.m.
Watch

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of all the successful businesses in my riding of Rivière-des-Mille-Îles. Today, however, I would like to recognize a particular company that is one of Saint-Eustache's finest assets: Vignoble Rivière du Chêne, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. As we know, Quebec's climate can be harsh and sometimes makes life difficult for our farmers and vineyards. Quebeckers are a resilient, innovative bunch, and Vignoble Rivière du Chêne is a brilliant embodiment of these values. The business has been growing steadily since 1998 under the watchful care of its owner, Daniel Lalande, and his dedicated team. They have developed an impressive product line that includes more than a dozen different wines. I can attest that Vignoble Rivière du Chêne holds a special place in the hearts of our region's people. Happy 25th anniversary to a company that has become the pride of our region.

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Context: House Hansard - 288 - Feb/29/24

Ms. Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean, BQ)

Feb/29/24 2:25:38 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Quebec Court of Appeal has just handed down its ruling on the state secularism law, Bill 21. There is a fair bit of consensus in Quebec on this legislation. Quebeckers want a clear separation of church and state, which is what the law guarantees. Now that the Quebec Court of Appeal has rendered its decision, it is clear that the next step will be the Supreme Court. We saw it with Bill 101, and we will see it again with Bill 21. What we are asking Ottawa is simple: Can it stay out of it, either directly or indirectly, because Quebec knows what is good for Quebec?

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Context: House Hansard - 288 - Feb/29/24

Ms. Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean, BQ)

Feb/29/24 2:26:42 p.m.
Watch

I will say it again, Mr. Speaker: Quebec knows what is good for Quebec. We know that French is not only our official language, but it is also our common language and we need to protect it. We know that gender equality is non-negotiable, just like we know that the best way to protect religion is for the state not to have any. That is what Bill 21 is all about. There is a general consensus on that in Quebec. Will the Liberals, who say they do not like to bicker, commit to not going against the will of Quebeckers on Bill 21?

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Context: House Hansard - 288 - Feb/29/24

Mr. Martin Champoux (Drummond, BQ)

Feb/29/24 2:38:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Quebec Court of Appeal has clearly ruled that Bill 21 is constitutional and does not pose a problem. It recognizes the right of Quebeckers to adopt rules to ensure the secular nature of the Quebec state. The matter is closed, unless Ottawa and a few opponents decide to continue challenging it. What will the Liberal government choose? Will it respect the will of Quebeckers and the Court of Appeal ruling, or will it pick a fight with Quebec again?

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Context: House Hansard - 288 - Feb/29/24

Mr. Martin Champoux (Drummond, BQ)

Feb/29/24 2:39:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, respecting the charter is a good thing. Respecting court decisions would also be a good thing. Despite what the Liberals say, there is nothing wrong with Bill 21. It is constitutional and absolutely legitimate. It is one of the pillars supporting the kind of peaceful co-existence that Quebeckers want. Five years on, we see, as the courts see, that everything is fine and that the Liberals' fears were unfounded. Will the government respect the Court of Appeal's decision and promise to hold off from directly or indirectly challenging Bill 21?

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Context: House Hansard - 288 - Feb/29/24

Mr. Rhéal Éloi Fortin (Rivière-du-Nord, BQ)

Feb/29/24 2:40:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is disappointing. The Liberals want secularism to be odourless, colourless and tasteless. They want Quebeckers to adopt a secularism that means nothing and is inconsequential. However, the separation of church and state does mean something. It means that every single person's beliefs and non-beliefs will never interfere in their interactions with the state. That is the purpose of Bill 21, and it has real implications that may require the use of the notwithstanding clause. The Court of Appeal recognized that. Will the government acknowledge that the use of the notwithstanding clause in the case of Bill 21 is not only constitutional, but entirely legitimate?

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Context: House Hansard - 288 - Feb/29/24

Mr. Luc Thériault (Montcalm, BQ)

Feb/29/24 2:58:00 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, when it comes to health, Quebeckers want care, not threats. A year after forcing Quebec to accept an increase in transfers that cover only one-sixth of our needs, the federal government is threatening to steal $900 million from Quebec if it does not meet the government's conditions by March 31. The Liberals are once again playing political games at Quebeckers' expense and with Quebeckers' own money. When will the Liberals stop holding patients hostage and start paying Quebec the money it is entitled to?

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Context: House Hansard - 288 - Feb/29/24

Hon. Mark Holland (Minister of Health, Lib.)

Feb/29/24 2:58:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Bloc Québécois is always trying to pick a fight. When I spoke with Minister Dubé from Quebec, it was clear that his objective was to co-operate to find a solution. In our health care system, I think that Canadians and Quebeckers want politicians, elected members, who look for solutions, not pick a fight. That is why I am sure that we will reach an agreement with Quebec.

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Context: House Hansard - 288 - Feb/29/24

Mr. Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, NDP)

Feb/29/24 3:44:08 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, obviously, as Quebeckers, we have known for quite some time now how important it is to have accessible public child care. Not only is this a feminist and forward-thinking policy, but it is also good economic policy because it gives women in particular the opportunity to return to the labour market. Economist Pierre Fortin estimated that, in the first few years of Quebec's child care program, 70,000 women were able to return to the labour market, since they no longer had to stay home because child care costs were far too high. I would like my colleague to tell us more about how this is a feminist, social and economic program.

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Context: House Hansard - 288 - Feb/29/24

Mr. Maxime Blanchette-Joncas (Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, BQ)

Feb/29/24 4:38:14 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague from Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound on his speech. Quebec is a distinct society by virtue of not only its identity, but also its choices. It was over 25 years ago now that Quebec chose to set up early childhood centres. This child care system already exists in Quebec. I really feel that we are wasting Quebeckers' time when we have to debate a bill to bring in a system that has already existed in Quebec for more than 25 years. This morning, we also heard about a new pharmacare program, something that has existed in Quebec for nearly 50 years now. I would like my colleague from Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound to tell me loud and clear if he respects Quebec's choices and if, for these types of programs, Quebec can have a right to opt out with full financial compensation, no strings attached.

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