Emmanuel Dubourg

[Taxation, February 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, let us be serious. During the last election, the Prime Minister made a solemn promise to introduce income splitting. Now we know that the Minister of Finance is dragging his feet. He is not convinced.

My question is simple and clear, and it is for the Minister of National Revenue. I would like to know if the minister herself agrees with this measure. Yes or no?

[The Economy, February 11th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the dramatic increase in Canadian household debt is hiding the truth about the Canadian economy.

Under this government, the average rate of public debt has increased by $20,000 per family. Imagine: right now, for each dollar a Canadian worker makes, he or she owes $1.64. This cannot continue.

What does the government intend to do to address this issue?

[Yves Ryan, February 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, it is with emotion that I pay tribute to Yves Ryan, a great man who has just passed away.

He dedicated his life to Montreal North, first as a journalist and then as its mayor for 38 years. He was elected 10 times, six of those by acclamation.

I knew Mr. Ryan because my family settled in Montreal North when we arrived in Canada. I voted for him and am now proud to represent him, as Bourassa includes Montreal North.

There is no question that Yves Ryan worked hard, knew his constituents and was a stringent manager, but he was also an ardent defender of Canada.

I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Huguette Labrecque, his children and grandchildren, as well as all those mourning this loss. On behalf of all of us from Montreal North, I wish to thank Mr. Ryan for everything he accomplished. May he rest in peace, knowing that his was a job well done.

[The Budget, February 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, in last year's budget, the Conservatives were priding themselves on their job creation. Today we learn that that was based on two fictitious measures. First, the job grant program has never existed, and second, the Conservatives have reduced the building Canada fund for infrastructure. They have not increased it, they have reduced it by $1.5 billion for the next two years.

In next week's budget, will they make up for that $3-billion hole?

[National Defence, January 31st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Communications Security Establishment Canada allegedly spied on Canadians through the free Internet service at one of our major airports. The purpose of this operation was not to protect Canadians. It was a test that was requested by the U.S. National Security Agency. This is illegal, according to experts.

Does the government think it is acceptable for a Canadian agency to illegally spy on Canadians at the request of the U.S.?

[L'Isle-Verte, January 31st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, in the early hours of January 23, tragedy struck L'Isle-Verte. A terrible fire destroyed the Résidence du Havre, leaving 32 people dead or unaccounted for.

In the face of such tragedy, there are no words to express our grief and our compassion. I would nevertheless like to offer my most sincere condolences to the families of the dead and missing.

I would also like to salute the dedicated efforts of the teams of first responders who, despite very difficult conditions, have been tirelessly sifting through the rubble so that bereaved families can grieve in peace.

Tomorrow, the community will share its grief with the whole province and bid farewell to those who were lost during a ceremony at the L'Isle-Verte church. I invite my colleagues, the constituents of my riding, Bourassa, and the Haitian community to join me in expressing our support for this community that has suffered so much.

[Employment, January 27th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, December's disastrous employment statistics should serve as a wake-up call for this government.

Today there are 275,000 more unemployed Canadians than before the recession.

The Conservatives' solution is to run an ad campaign to promote an employment program that does not even exist.

Will the minister come up with a real plan to help unemployed Canadians in his upcoming budget?