House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 44% of the vote.
Business of Supply October 29th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, certainly not.
Reflecting on the October crisis allows us to see how far we have come. Since 1970, violence has never been used as a political tool in Quebec or in Canada. Our concern is what is going on now in Quebec and across the country, and that is the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business of Supply October 29th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, I must say that I agree 100%. I was there. I was 28 years old at the time, I was teaching high school, and I can say that it was a step forward.
Today, the Bloc Québécois is trying to rewrite a condensed version of history and sow division for partisan purposes. We know it. However, our government is committed to bringing Canadians together and supporting them as we tackle the greatest public health and economic challenge of our generation.
Business of Supply October 29th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, the October crisis was difficult for many Quebeckers. I remember it very well because I was there. It is important to remember that, at the time, the federal government responded to formal requests from the Government of Quebec and the City of Montreal. Rewriting history today is out of the question.
Business of Supply October 29th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, the subject I am speaking about is a most compelling one at this time in Canada. I am not as concerned with history. We will be talking about the present.
We will adjust our support as the situation evolves, but rest assured that we will never turn our backs on Canadians.
As the Minister of Finance said yesterday, we will continue to provide support to those who need it, as we have been from the start of the crisis, because that is the thing to do.
Business of Supply October 29th, 2020
This plan supports millions of Quebeckers who are going through tough times because of the pandemic. So far, more than two million Quebeckers have applied for the Canada emergency response benefit, which provided support to eligible workers who had to stop working or whose hours were reduced because of COVID-19. Although the program has now come to a close, Quebeckers who still need support can now turn to the Canada recovery benefit.
We also provided direct support to the most vulnerable in Quebec: students, seniors, families with children and low-income frontline workers. On October 22, more than 160,000 Quebec businesses received support through the Canada emergency business account for a total of more than $6 billion.
During this difficult period it is essential for all levels of government to work together to protect our economy and fight against COVID-19. We brought in the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance program in collaboration with all the provinces and territories. So far this program has helped more than 137,000 small businesses and supported 1.2 million jobs in the country. In Quebec, more than 32,000 business owners have used this subsidy for a total of nearly $400 million in commercial rent assistance. This subsidy has ultimately contributed to supporting more than 228,000 jobs in Quebec.
On October 9, 2020, the government proposed a new Canada emergency rent subsidy. This new subsidy builds on the previous program by providing direct, targeted and easy-to-access support for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19. Those who pay rent would not have to go through the owner of the building they occupy.
In addition to Canada's COVID-19 economic response plan, the Government of Canada created the regional relief and recovery fund, an initiative with an envelope of more than $280 million just for Quebec. This fund aims to help Quebec businesses and organizations that need immediate assistance with their cash flow. It is intended for all of Quebec's economic sectors, such as aviation, cultural and sporting events, food production, manufacturing, retail, technology and tourism. So far, more than $211 million has been paid to various Quebec businesses and organizations through the regional relief and recovery fund.
In addition to all of these programs, we committed to investing up to $173 million in a Quebec company called Medicago. This investment will allow the company to continue developing a reliable vaccine manufactured in Canada.
In conclusion, the programs created by the government support Canadians—
Business of Supply October 29th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, by October 1970, 50 years ago, Quebec had for several years been experiencing major social tension that culminated in the murder of Quebec's deputy premier and labour minister, Pierre Laporte. Those tensions left their mark on Quebec's recent history.
On October 16, 1970, the federal government invoked the War Measures Act in response to requests for help from Quebec's premier and the mayor of Montreal, who needed help managing the crisis situation at the time.
In the 1970s, I was in my 20s. I was a teacher at Curé-Antoine-Labelle high school in Laval. I distinctly remember all those moments that left their mark on our history and our collective memory.
Today, every one of us has a duty to remember those events to ensure that we never again express our political demands violently in Quebec. We have to look at history head on and not forget it or distort it. Rewriting it is wrong. We have to tell the story as it is with both its highs and its lows.
As members of the House of Commons, it is our duty to help bring the nation together over these deeply sensitive issues. Right now, Quebec and Canada are going through some tough times, and we need to focus on protecting our people. Quebeckers and Canadians deserve better.
Rewriting history in the midst of a global pandemic is quite simply irresponsible. We must work together and act honourably to protect Quebeckers and Canadians and help our businesses through this crisis. That is exactly what our government is doing, and we urge all parties in the House to find constructive ways to help.
We are committed to keeping Quebeckers and Canadians safe. That is why we are working hard to develop bold plans that will help us conquer this pandemic. I want to take this opportunity to talk a little more about the assistance available to Quebeckers and Canadians since the beginning of this crisis.
In March, while COVID-19 cases were starting to rise at alarming rates across the country, all levels of government took drastic measures to control the virus. The federal government launched Canada's COVID-19 economic response plan. This plan is the largest and most comprehensive investment in times of peace in Canada's history. It represents 15% of our GDP in direct support.
More than 3.7 million Canadians were able to keep their jobs thanks to the Canada emergency wage benefit, which has paid out nearly $44 billion as of mid-October, a number that continues to rise. Nearly nine million Canadians were able to pay rent and put food on the table thanks to the Canada emergency response benefit.
On October 22—
Nagorno-Karabakh October 27th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, on October 22, I attended a virtual meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and some of my colleagues.
The purpose of the meeting was to hear the concerns of the Armenian Canadian community about the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. For nearly an hour, we heard the fears of this community currently struggling in a conflict with the Republic of Azerbaijan. After several attempts at a ceasefire, it seems the situation is still volatile and there is a high risk of regional escalation.
I am proud of Canada's role as a mediator. I would like to reiterate how important it is that both parties in the conflict remain open to peaceful resolution, including through talks.
I am proud of the steps the government has taken to enable de-escalation and a peaceful resolution to this conflict.
Estia Residence October 1st, 2020
Mr. Speaker, on September 18, I visited the Estia Residence, a new seniors' facility in my riding, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, in Laval. My colleague, the member for Vimy, and I toured the new residence, which is ready to safely welcome our seniors.
I am proud to say that our government has made a clear commitment to seniors during this crisis and that we will not abandon them. The new horizons for seniors program is one example of that commitment. It provides grants to help prevent elder abuse and support the social participation of seniors.
Take care of yourselves. Efcharistó.
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply September 24th, 2020
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, the member for Laval—Les Îles, for his hard work and his tireless efforts.
COVID-19 has seriously contributed to seniors' isolation by cutting them off from their loved ones. That is why our government has announced plans to develop our capacity to provide virtual care.
In addition, I can assure you, Madam Speaker, that our government will continue to work tirelessly to improve the health, dignity and safety of our seniors.
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply September 24th, 2020
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague.
We will have a lot of time in the House to discuss these measures because this affects pretty much everyone, both in the opposition and the government.
I would like to say that our government is committed to supporting our seniors, as evidenced by the new horizons for seniors program, which provides grants and contributions for projects that benefit seniors, no matter what their age. It also encourages the greater inclusion of seniors in our society in order to prevent the loneliness and social exclusion that all too often befall seniors.