Gaétan Malette

“Small communities need their local radio stations to stay informed. Only three percent of the government's advertising budget went to local radio. I want the government to send more of that advertising money to local stations without spending anything extra.”

“Mr. Speaker, when a storm shuts down roads in Hearst or Kapuskasing, people rely on their local radio stations, like Épinette noire or La voix d’chez nous, to stay informed. However, nobody in Ottawa seems to be listening. In the last budget, Ottawa spent $78 million on advertising, but only 3% of that was allocated to local radio stations in Canada. Without spending another penny, what is the government waiting for to redistribute part of its advertising budget to these radio stations, which are essential to Canada’s small communities?”

“Canada needs the Trans-Canada Highway to move goods across the country. Will the government include Highway 11 as a project of national interest?”

“Mr. Speaker, I hear a lot about freight, transportation, seaports and a strong Canada, but the spine of Canada is the Trans-Canada Highway. If we cannot move all these products, we are in trouble. How do you feel about Trans-Canada Highway 11 being part of the projects of national interest to build all this?”

“I am presenting a petition from people in northern Ontario. They want the federal government to make Highway 11 a project of national interest so the road can be safer and more reliable.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present more signatures on a petition calling on the federal government to designate Trans-Canada Highway 11 as a project of national interest. These signatures were collected at the White Birch General Store, one of many local businesses helping people across northern Ontario add their voices to this important cause. Every signature matters. It shows the continued support from our communities for a safer and more reliable Highway 11 segment of the Trans-Canada Highway. I will continue bringing their voices to the House.”

“I want the government to remove all fuel taxes until Canada Day. This would lower costs for families and businesses in northern Ontario and across Canada.”

“Mr. Speaker, the region I represent in northern Ontario is an economic engine for all of Canada with mining, forestry and agriculture. Removing all fuel taxes until Canada Day would improve productivity and reduce the costs that are passed on to Canadians. This would also go a long way for individual families in Hearst, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Cochrane, Matheson, Kirkland Lake, Timmins, Chapleau and all the villages around. Will the Liberals adopt our plan to remove all fuel taxes?”

“Today is Franco-Ontarian Day. I want to thank the teachers and schools in northern Ontario who keep our French language and culture alive.”

“Mr. Speaker, on September 25, we proudly celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day. In northern Ontario, our francophone heritage is deeply rooted in our communities and our schools. From Timmins to Kapuskasing, from Hearst to Cochrane, from Chapleau to Kirkland Lake, our francophone schools have played a vital role in preserving our language and culture. In Timmins, the Catholic secondary school has, in fact, long been counted as one of Ontario’s top francophone schools. Today, I want to pay tribute to our teachers and to all those who continue to help our francophone community flourish. I would like to thank our teachers, the guardians of our language, and I wish everyone a happy Franco-Ontarian Day.”

“I want to send my condolences to the family of Ontario police constable Tarun Bali. He was killed yesterday while working to protect others.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my deepest condolences to the Bali family, whose son, Ontario Provincial Police constable Tarun Bali, was killed in the line of duty yesterday in northern Ontario. Constable Bali had served on the force for two years, dedicating his life to the safety and protection of others. He served his community with courage, pride and a deep sense of duty. He was a well-respected member of the police service and carried out his responsibilities each day with the utmost integrity. Constable Bali’s courage and sacrifice will not be forgotten. His ultimate sacrifice in the service of protecting others will forever be honoured and appreciated by his community, his colleagues and all those whose lives he touched. Let us take this moment to recognize Constable Bali’s legacy as one of courage, service and pride. May his soul rest in peace.”

“I want to recognize Alexandra Gauthier from my region. She won a major national scholarship for her community leadership.”

“Madam Speaker, today I am proud to recognize a rising young leader from northeastern Ontario, Alexandra Gauthier from Shillington, near Matheson, who is one of only 20 recipients across Canada of the TD scholarship for community leadership. It is one of the most desirable awards in the country, awarding recipients a full post-secondary scholarship and summer employment. Alexandra represented Ontario’s two million students through the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association. She went to school in Iroquois Falls and is one of only two recipients from Ontario. Alexandra is an inspiring model of an exemplary leader driven by a desire to uplift her community. It fills me with pride and optimism to see young leaders like Alexandra Gauthier shaping their own futures.”