“I want to thank several Quebec politicians who are leaving office. I also want the member to explain how Air Canada was already preparing to follow rules that Parliament has not even seen or voted on yet.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate and thank my colleague from Mirabel for his speech. He began by acknowledging Sylvie D’Amours, who, after three terms as an MNA, will not be running again. I would also like to acknowledge Ms. D’Amours, as well as my provincial colleagues. I would like to acknowledge Éric Caire, who is leaving politics after 19 years, Mario Asselin, who is leaving politics after eight years as an MNA, and Sylvain Lévesque, who is leaving politics after ten years as an MNA. My colleague touched briefly on a point, and I would like him to elaborate on it. He said that Air Canada staff were already prepared to apply certain rules that had not yet been tabled in Parliament, let alone debated or even adopted. Can the member tell us more about this?”

“Happy 35th anniversary to the Bloc Québécois. Lucien Bouchard said the Parti Québécois should think carefully before trying to hold a referendum right away. I want to know if the member agrees with Lucien Bouchard.”

“Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his remarks. He began by marking the 35th anniversary of the Bloc Québécois. I would therefore like to wish everyone in the Bloc Québécois a happy anniversary. Clearly, I am not about to debate the matter, but, since he quoted Lucien Bouchard, I would also like to quote him. Last August, Lucien Bouchard stated that he was not in favour of holding a referendum right away. He said the following: I trust in Mr. Plamondon’s [the leader of the Parti Québécois] sound judgment to reconsider the matter and make a decision that is in the public interest... I’m not look to cause him any trouble, but I think Mr. Plamondon should think very carefully before sticking to his commitment to hold a referendum... Does my colleague agree with Lucien Bouchard?”

“The Liberals like to force their ideas on Canadians and the provinces. They rushed this bill through, cut debate short, and did not let important witnesses speak. What does the member think that says about the Liberals being accountable?”

“Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech. We disagree on many things, but he was right to point out that the Liberals have a tendency to impose their own solutions on the provinces and on Canadians. As for Bill C‑30, the Liberals cut the debate short. They refused to give important witnesses the opportunity to appear before the committee and they tried to push through ideas that they did not campaign on. What does the member think that says about the Liberals’ commitment to accountability?”

“This bill lets ministers bend food and farming rules for years. We need to debate these powers carefully instead of rushing them through committee.”

“Madam Speaker, Bill C‑30 contains measures that allow cabinet to grant exemptions to certain rules on food and agriculture for up to three years with a possible extension. Does my colleague agree that such powers should be debated rigorously and thoroughly rather than being rushed through in committee?”