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Results: 1 - 15 of 593
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
You know, Ms. Melhorn, I feel a lot of sympathy for the GNWT. I think this is a government that has great difficulty making decisions because it has to operate with inadequate powers.
Mr. Forbes, I feel like asking you a question that is of particular interest to me. I could address it to Ms. Bluck but this would waste some of the time granted to the NWT representatives. I wanted to ask you how the negotiations relating to tax harmonization in Quebec are going, but I know you will not answer.
An hon. member: Dead right!
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
Mr. Yvon Lévesque: I was part of a delegation that visited the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Obviously, Quebec has long-standing claims but when I consider the powers granted to territorial governments, I find it incredible. It is as if a father gives a $20 bill to his son in the evening and tells him he can go out and spend his money, but if he finds any treasures, they would belong to the father. Why bother creating territories if you act as if they are incapable of managing their own affairs?
When I saw you here, I wondered whether you had made an evaluation of territorial resources and projected potential revenues of the territory you represent, using such things as the existing provincial equalization formula and combining all of this. I am certain you have the administrative capacity to manage your revenues and expenditures and to make the required decisions for a faster and more efficient development of territorial resources.
Do you have any data in that regard? If you do, can you share it with us?
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
I have a question regarding the evaluation of your capacity to borrow for exploration and development, of your tax revenues and so on. Without the limit prescribed in the legislation mentioned by Mr. Forbes, how much money do you think you could borrow?
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
Thank you, Ms. Melhorn.
My colleague may have a question.
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
Mr. Chair, if you ever consider introducing the Bloc Québécois in Ontario, we will count on you.
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
You are full-fledged members of my community and I am very proud of that fact. When I have something to negotiate, I will rely on you since you have strong negotiating skills. You have always managed to put the pieces of the puzzle together, one by one. Many first nations in Canada would be happy to be where you are today. However, I can attest to the fact that there are certainly many problems that still need to be addressed.
Earlier, you talked about community governance, about having the authority eventually to establish rules between school boards, communities and band councils. I think you have the ability to see to it that such authority is granted to you.
You are very skilled negotiators. However, your closest representatives generally are unaware of where you stand or of the exact nature of your demands. We usually find out what these are when you table your report to the committee. That is what I deplore the most. Regarding the vision that you have just shared with us, you could let us know when and where you want this vision to come to fruition and with whom you have shared it. We could then accompany you in this endeavour.
For example, the Chisasibi Cree Nation has had recurring problems with turtle grass flats. This matter has been brought to the committee's attention. I'm not sure where things stand but this issue, which affects geese, is important to the Cree Nation. It's part of its culture.
The residents of Whapmagoostui need a bridge for community expansion.
You spoke of another problem that concerns me as well as my colleague. Some of his constituents are planning to move to our community if the problem is not resolved. As you know, we favour nation to nation negotiation. Negotiations are set to take place between the Cree and Algonquian first nations. I will let my colleague Marc talk more about this later.
I would first like to know your opinion of the bill calling for first nation transparency. We hear a lot about new housing, but in several coastal villages, existing housing was built on soil that while not unstable per se, is currently reacting to the thaw. Houses are greatly affected by mould. Has this problem been resolved? Lastly, can you tell me how many reports you are required to present at this time? Do you not think that you could present all of your demands in a single annual report?
Please respond quickly, so as to give my colleague time to put his question. He is also very much interested in this issue.
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Cyr, discussions are currently under way and a program will be in place shortly. I'm not sure if you are familiar with the Nutrition North Canada program and whether you have weighed its potential impact on friendship centres. The territories are going to see an exodus of residents to urban areas because people will no longer be able to afford to live there. I've been to Montreal and the number of itinerant people there is staggering. Even the native friendship centre is hard-pressed to accommodate everyone who comes to their door. I'm quite fortunate because my riding is home to two large centres, one in Chibougamau and another in Val-d'Or. The centre in Senneterre is a little smaller, but all of them compete for dollars and find ingenious ways of funding a wide range of activities.
At times, I think it would be better if either Heritage Canada or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada had sole responsibility for this file. I really think that this should be Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's responsibility, and that it could always request Heritage Canada's assistance if necessary. The two departments could work together. In the case of the nutrition program, Health Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada worked together. While this hasn't always proven very successful, the results could be more positive in this instance.
Have you assessed the impact of the Nutrition North program on the various centres in your regions? I'm thinking primarily about Ottawa and Montreal, since most flights from northern Canada land in Ottawa and Montreal.
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Wernick, I'm sure you have highly developed accounting skills. You've proven that over the years.
The Nutrition North program will go into effect on April 1. I know you can't answer me on behalf of the Department of Health, but I would like to know what savings the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs will achieve by transferring the Food Mail program's transportation costs to the Nutrition North program.
Furthermore, the demand for housing in the north is enormous. Already last year, there was demand for 1,000 additional housing units, and they were absolutely necessary.
We made a recommendation to the minister, but I don't know whether he will accept it. In view of the obligations that will be imposed on retailers in the north under the Food North program, we suggest that the department build and maintain warehouses in order to avoid unduly transferring costs to consumers.
I would like to know whether you have set aside any reserves for that purpose.
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
Let's discuss the economic issue, Mr. Wernick. Considering the fact that the carriers will have to negotiate with a single retailer at a time, that they will be taking the retailer's size into account, that they won't know the volume of goods that has to be transported every day and that they also won't know the days when they will have to transport them, do you actually believe that the retailers' capacity will be greater than that of the Canada Post Corporation so that they can negotiate lower transportation prices?
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I simply regret that our colleague Greg was not here during the testimony on Nutrition North. Obviously, his opinion may have been distorted as a result.
Mr. Wernick, I'd like to know whether the list that Marc requested of works to be carried out in the communities could be sent to all committee members.
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
Could the list be sent to all committee members?
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
Mr. Renaud, could you please slow down for the interpreters?
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
It is to help the interpreters. You will get—
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
Point of order, Mr. Chair. I am getting some feedback through my earpiece. I think it has to do with the interpretation. The English translation is coming through at the same time.
View Yvon Lévesque Profile
BQ (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm pleased to have the opportunity to ask a question.
I am concerned about two things here...
Mr. Chair, there appears to be a problem with the reception I'm getting through my earpiece.
Are you setting the clock back to zero?
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