SoVote

Rhéal Éloi Fortin

Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
Bloc Québécois

Rivière-du-Nord
Quebec
Voting Attendance: 68%
Expenses Last Quarter: $105,330.31

Government Page

Context: House Hansard - 237 - Oct/23/23

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

Oct/23/23 5:42:42 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-57

Madam Speaker, as I said earlier in an exchange with another member, we think Bill C‑57 is a good bill and we plan to support it. My colleague from Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia and I have asked a few questions, but we have yet to get any clear answers. Although we agree with the bill, the process by which it is being passed raises some questions, as is the case with many other bills ratifying agreements that have been reached. In the United States, Congress mandates the executive branch to negotiate agreements. In the European Union, member states play a central role in the negotiations, because they have to ratify them later. It is much the same in most industrialized countries. It is often parliaments that adopt treaties. Here in Canada, it is customary for the government to negotiate treaties and for Parliament to intervene only at the point of ratification, when the provisions are to be included in a bill. My question is about whether—

176 words

All Topics

Context: House Hansard - 237 - Oct/23/23

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

Oct/23/23 4:11:23 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-57

Mr. Speaker, I see that just about everyone here in the House agrees with the idea that a free trade relationship should be established between Canada and Ukraine. That relationship already exists and, as we all know, this agreement improves or modernizes it. Earlier, my colleague addressed a question to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House, and I did not hear a real answer to her question, which I consider extremely important. It is my understanding that, unlike in most other democratic countries, the Canadian government can sign agreements without considering the House's opinion. We are now coming to the stage where we need to ratify the agreement. Basically, the government does not know what the House is going to say. Since we all agree, we will probably vote in favour of Bill C‑57 and the agreement can be ratified. In the event that we disagree, however, does the Liberal government intend to muzzle the House and prevent MPs from making an informed decision? I doubt it. At least, I hope not. I would have liked to hear my colleague respond to that. I will ask my Conservative colleague instead, since it is his turn to answer questions. Is it not a bit brazen, a bit freewheeling of the government to enter into international agreements without first ascertaining the House's position on them? What if the House said no to Bill C‑57? Would the government retract its agreement with Ukraine? What would happen?

257 words

All Topics

Context: House Hansard - 40 - Mar/3/22

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

Mar/3/22 4:27:52 p.m.
Watch

Madam Speaker, it will take several years to build gas and oil pipelines to Europe. Also, in any case, oil and gas are energies of the past. Hydroelectricity, solar power, wind power and other clean energies are the future. Can we not agree that, if we really want to help people in Ukraine and our European friends, we should send them energies of the future and not the old stuff, which is already not working and will work even less in four, five or ten years?

86 words

All Topics

SoVote

Member of Parliament

Rhéal Éloi Fortin