Mr. Stéphane Bergeron (Verchères—Les Patriotes, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, Quebec's intergovernmental affairs minister said he was disappointed that Quebec's share, this year, for Quebec's child care program will be limited to $165 million because federal funding for the first year of the program is only $700 million.

Are we to understand that, because its child care program is operational and efficient, Quebec has to pay for the other provinces, which are not prepared to implement their own child care programs?

Mr. Stéphane Bergeron (Verchères—Les Patriotes, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, speaking of interpretation, I am looking forward to the minister's answer to this question.

In the budget, the federal government earmarked $100 million for the development of a new accountability program.

After the Prime Minister promised to give Quebec the money for child care with no strings attached, how does the minister explain why $100 million will be spent on this, if the goal, ultimately, is not to impose Canada-wide standards on Quebec?

Mr. Stéphane Bergeron (Verchères—Les Patriotes, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, this year is the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the Acadian deportation. The Queen will find the time to visit Saskatchewan and Alberta to mark the 100th anniversary of their entry into the Canadian federation, but she will not have the time to go to Acadia. Given the British Crown's heavy responsibility in these tragic events, an apology seems only natural.

Does the Minister of Canadian Heritage intend to intervene again with the Queen in order to specifically ask that she go to Acadia to do what needs to be done with regard to the Acadian people?

Mr. Stéphane Bergeron (Verchères—Les Patriotes, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw attention to the excellent child care services provided in Quebec, particularly in the riding of Verchères—Les Patriotes. In fact, two child care centres operating in Sainte-Julie were awarded three prestigious prizes at the annual gala of the Montérégie's child care centre organization on October 30.

The Grande Ourse child care centre received the golden award in the “family spirit” category, and the silver award in the “some people and others” category, for the quality of services provided to its clientele.

The “rare find staff member” award was given to Adrienne Parent, from Sainte-Julie, for her great generosity and tremendous dedication since the Julie-Soleil child care centre first opened, in 1978.

I also want to congratulate the Montérégie's child care centre organization on its 30 years of existence, and I sincerely thank the 123 child care centres belonging to this organization and caring for some 25,000 children in the region.

Mr. Stéphane Bergeron

Mr. Speaker, ultimately the issue is not about who submits this request from Quebec, a federalist government in Quebec or a sovereignist member in Ottawa. The issue is whether this legitimate request will be sanctioned by the federal Liberal government. Quebec's right to speak internationally is necessary and imperative for better defending the interests of the Quebec nation.

If Quebec cannot intervene when an agreement affecting its exclusive jurisdictions is being discussed internationally, then it is only natural for Quebec to refuse to implement said agreement. The people of Quebec often do not have a voice when international treaties on their future are being discussed and concluded.

While the current government claims to work in collaboration with the provinces, it refuses to allow Quebec to use its own voice abroad in discussions involving Quebec's powers and interests. When Canada boasts that it speaks with one voice, that voice excludes Quebec and that is a great disadvantage.