Alain Rayes

[News Media Industry, November 30th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, members of the House are often very critical of the government, but we should also applaud its successes. I would like to thank the minister for the work she has done to sign this first agreement with a major online player, Google. This agreement will help our media industry.

However, I would like her to confirm whether measures have been taken to help our local and regional media. I am thinking of local media like www.lanouvelle.net and Actualités l'étincelle. I am also thinking of private radio stations like Attraction Radio or CJAN-FM.

I am hoping she can tell us whether there are any measures, any guidelines, that have actually been put in place so that these players also get their share of the pie and so that we can help them for the future.

[Public Services and Procurement, November 20th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, it has been eight years since the Phoenix pay system was implemented, and instead of getting better, things are getting worse. As of today, 242,000 transactions are still pending, which is double what it was two years ago.

I understand that, in the beginning, the government was playing partisan games and trying to put the blame on the former Conservative government, but that was eight years ago. Today, there is no excuse for the fact that this problem has not been solved.

Is someone at Public Services and Procurement Canada responsible for this fiasco, which is costing taxpayers a fortune and affecting thousands of federal employees?

[Finance, November 8th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, for the past few weeks I have been asking questions about the Governor General's outrageous spending. Each time, the ministers who answer me get a little offended and they half-heartedly condemn the practice, but then nothing is done to change the culture that has taken root in this institution.

Meanwhile, we keep changing governors general, but the extravagant spending on meals, alcohol, luxury hotels, travel and cleaning services continues unabashedly. Today, I put my question to the Prime Minister. Does his government intend to cut the Governor General's $33-million budget? Clearly, she does not seem to be able to manage taxpayers' money seriously and responsibly.

[Rouge et Or Rugby Team, November 8th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to congratulate a group of exceptional young women and their coaches on their spectacular victory at the U Sports women's rugby national championship.

This victory, which is the result of hard work, immense determination and outstanding teamwork, is definitely something to celebrate. It is a second consecutive banner and a third title in four championships for the Rouge et Or. It is also worth noting that Laval University is the only francophone university to bring home this national title and win the record for the largest crowd at a women's university sports event in in Quebec.

I want to wrap up my statement with the words of Corinne Fréchette, the rugby tournament MVP, who said, “This is about more than just a match. It is bigger than just a medal. We represent all of the alumni who have worn the jersey and who did everything they could to help grow the sport. We are making history in our own way, and we are making our mark on women’s sports. There are younger girls who will want to wear our colours.”

I want to congratulate these young women who are such inspiring role models.

[Finance, October 30th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, every time we ask questions about the Governor General's indecent expenditures, government members act outraged and offer a half-hearted denunciation, but nothing is ever done to change the culture within that institution. The Governor General spends thousands of dollars in meals, alcohol, luxury hotels, travel and cleaning services. Let us consider the fact that, over the course of a single flight, she spent close to $1,000 in lime and lemon slices. I cannot make this stuff up.

I will ask the question again: Does the government intend to cut the Governor General's $33-million budget? Obviously, she does not seem to be able to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly.

[The Environment, October 23rd, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, everyone is talking about the urgent need to act on climate change and the energy transition. Citizens are being asked to take action.

However, when it comes time to get reimbursed through the Canada greener homes grant, urgency takes a back seat. The provincial portion is reimbursed within two months of filing the paperwork, while at the federal level, Canadians have to wait more than 18 months to get their money. What is more, it is virtually impossible to talk to an official. If someone manages to get through, they are told that the system is overwhelmed.

Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. Will the minister take care of this problem, once and for all?

[Finance, October 16th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, on top of the Governor General's obscene expenses related to international travel, now we have learned that her office has spent over $117,000 on dry cleaning since 2018. That is an average of $1,800 a month.

I thought it would be fun to do the math, after looking at the rates among various suppliers in the region. For the amount she spent, that works out to an average of three outfits a day, 365 days a year.

When will the government trim her $33-million budget? Clearly, the Governor General is incapable of managing taxpayers' money seriously and responsibly.

[Taxation, September 25th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, on December 2, February 15 and March 23, I asked the government about a 30-year-old tax law whereby Canadian companies are penalized by our tax system, despite the fact that they use only local and healthy ingredients.

The government told us that it wanted to quickly introduce legislation to help people with the exploding cost of groceries. Tackling this situation would encourage people to buy healthier, less expensive food, and put an end to this injustice that unfairly pits Canada's small businesses against multinationals. This is a direct way to help Canadian families and make it cheaper for them to eat better.

Does the government intend to make any changes?

[Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, June 22nd, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I agree to apply the vote and I vote in favour.

[Canada Business Corporations Act, June 22nd, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I agree to apply the vote and will be voting in favour.