2. Committee Biographies

• Constituency: Madawaska — Restigouche (New Brunswick)
• Profession/Occupation: Lawyer
• First elected as Member of Parliament in 2015

Biography (from the political party’s website)

René Arseneault is the Member of Parliament for Madawaska—Restigouche (New Brunswick).

A lawyer specializing in corporate law and civil litigation for more than 20 years, he established his own practice in 1996 with his spouse, Michèle Pelletier. He is also a singer-songwriter who in 1989 won the People’s choice award at the Gala de la chanson de Caraquet.

He has been involved in his community for over 25 years. In addition to providing pro bono legal services, he sat on the board of directors for numerous non-profit organizations and is quick to share his artistic talents at fundraisers for community organizations. He co-founded the Balmoral Economic Development Association, Fondation École Régionale BDES inc. and Coopérative Radio Restigouche ltée – which he currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors. He has also been involved in youth sports development, specifically as a soccer and volleyball coach and assistant coach, and as a volunteer at the Jeux de l’Acadie.

He holds a BSocSc – with a major in Economics and a minor in Political Science – and an LLB from Université de Moncton.

Current Roles as Parliamentarian

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (43-1) (43-2)

House of Commons Committees

• Standing Committee on Official Languages (43-2)
• Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Official Languages (43-2)
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (43-1)
• Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (42-1)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• None

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• Francophone Immigration, Official languages policies

Written questions

• None

Main interests

• Gascon judgment
• Justice Court Challenges
• CBC/Radio-Canada’s official languages obligations
• Bilingualism of the judges of the Supreme Court
• Modernization of the Official Languages Act

Biography (from the political party’s website)

Angelo Iacono was elected member of Parliament for Alfred-Pellan in October 2015 for the first time, his constituents renewed their confidence in him, re-electing him in 2019.

Studying political science at McGill University, he went on to study civil law at UQAM and completed a Juris Doctor degree at the University of Ottawa. His openness to the world led him in search of new horizons, and he obtained a certificate from the European Union and its institutions, as well as a certificate in European community law from the faculty of law of Lyon, in France.

He makes every effort to introduce federal resources to the people of Alfred-Pellan, but also to support businesses, organizations and services for the citizens of his riding. The progress made is a source of motivation for him, who is revising his objectives upward for his second mandate particularly in terms of diversification and increase of federal grants to strengthen organizations and services for citizens in his riding.

Current Roles as Parliamentarian

• None

House of Commons Committees

• Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament (44-1) (43-2) (43-1)
• Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (44-1) (43-2)
• Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (43-2) (43-1)
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (43-1)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• None

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• Multiculturalism - Black Community Entrepreneurship Program (43-2)
• Multiculturalism – Canadians of Italian Heritage (43-2)

Written questions of interest to PCH

• None

Main interests

• Multiculturalism
• Italian community

Biography (from the political party’s website)

Patricia R. Lattanzio has served as a municipal councillor for the district of Saint-Léonard-Est, and she is very familiar with the challenges and priorities of her borough.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Université du Québec à Montréal, a certificate in law from the Université de Montréal and an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from McGill University. She is a lawyer and a member of the Quebec Bar Association. She has practised in the field of civil law for 29 years.

She was first elected in a by-election in November 2015 and was re-elected for a second term in the November 2017 municipal elections. Upon taking office, she was given responsibilities in the municipal administration. In the borough of Saint-Léonard, she is currently Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Works, Infrastructure, Parks and Urban Forestry, and Chair of the Standing Committee on Planning, Environment, Environmental Quality and Economic Development. She is also the elected official responsible for policies to assist children.

At Montreal City Hall, she has served as Vice-President of the Commission on the Inspector General and also as Official Opposition Critic for Road and Water Infrastructure, Electrical Services, and Legal Affairs.

In addition to being a councillor, she has also served her community as a trustee of the English Montreal School Board since 2007 and as Chair of the Comité de gestion de la taxe scolaire de l'île de Montréal since 2014.

Current Roles as Parliamentarian

• None

House of Commons Committees

• Standing Committee on Official Languages (43-2 Parliament)
• Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (43-2 Parliament)
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (43-1 Parliament)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• None

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• Conversion therapy (43-2)
• Official languages reform (43-2)
• Investments for official languages (43-2)
• Anglophones in Quebec (43-1)
• Official languages in the public service (43-1)

Written questions of interest to PCH

• None

Main interests

• English speaking communities
• Education
• Official Language Minority Communities
• Linguistic asymmetry
• Linguistic insecurity

Biography (from the political party’s website)

Arielle Kayabaga is a passionate community leader and the first Black woman ever elected to London City Council, where she chaired the City’s Corporate Services Committee and served on the Standing Committee on Municipal Finance. In 2020, she received the Pillar Community Leadership Award for her work in building a more equitable London and Chatelaine magazine named her one of 33 Black Canadians Making Change Now.

She and her family left Burundi amid civil war, and she experienced first-hand the challenges newcomers face in dealing with insecure housing and precarious employment in an unfamiliar place. She is passionate about helping new Canadians get settled in our country and have access to the necessary resources to ease the transition. Her first language is French - she learned English while earning her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Carleton University. After earning her degree, she gained experience in government while working for the Liberal Research Bureau on Parliament Hill and was one of 29 young Canadians selected to participate at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a cause she is extremely passionate about.

Functions as a parliamentarian

• None

House of Commons Committees

• Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (44-1)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• None

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• None

Written questions of interest to PCH

• None

Main interests

• Climate change
• Newcomers

Biography (from the political party’s website)

Francis Drouin was first elected to the House of Commons in October 2015. Re-elected in 2019, he represents the interests of the citizens of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. He is also active in several parliamentary associations such as the Canadian branch of the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), of which he is the Chair and the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie, of which he is the 1st Vice-President. As an MP he chairs the Parliamentarians' Caucus for the Fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as ALS) and sits on many other caucuses including the Rural Caucus.

He holds a degree in business administration from Collège La Cité, of which he was a member of the Board of Directors, and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Ottawa. In terms of his professional experience, he first worked as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Premier of Ontario and then in the private sector as a government relations consultant and worked as Director of Government Relations for Startup Canada. As a volunteer, he organizes an annual event to raise funds for Centre aide.

Functions as a parliamentarian

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (44-1)

House of Commons Committees

• Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (44-1) (43-2) (43-1)
• Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (43-2)
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (43-1)
• Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (43-1)
• Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (43-1)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• None

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• Museum and heritage - Environmental protection and national museums (43-1)
• Official Languages - Modernization of the Official Languages Act (43-2)
• Official Languages - Support for Francophones in a minority situation (43-2)

Written questions of interest to PCH

• None

Main interests

• Official Languages

Franco-Ontarian community

Biography (from the political party’s website)

Marc G. Serré was first elected MP for Nickel Belt in 2015. He is proud of his Franco-Ontarian and Métis heritage.

He was born and raised in the small francophone communities of Field, Verner and Chelmsford located in the Nickel Belt riding. He attended both elementary and secondary school in French. He holds a bachelor's degree in commerce with a specialization in human resources and marketing from Laurentian University. He was a part of the inaugural class in which this program was fully offered in French.

In 1999, Ontario school boards were divided, and 12 individual francophones boards were created. He was appointed school board Trustee at the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) the following year.

During his employment at Cambrian College, the network of francophone colleges of Ontario- réseau des collèges francophones in Ontario was created where he transferred to the then, new Collège Boreal.

He is the current of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas and is an active member of the Canada – United States Interparliamentary Group, the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie, and the Canada-France Interparliamentary Group. He was a member of the Canadian delegation to the 62nd United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York, as well as the Canadian delegation to the 63rd NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Bucharest, Romania. He also participated in the Commission on Education, communication and cultural affairs - Commission sur l’éducation, la communication et les affaires culturelles of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie in Cotonou, Benin.

His father Gaëtan Serré and his uncle Ben Serré were both Members of Parliament. His family comes from a long line of community volunteers who have dedicated their lives to strengthening their communities.

Functions as a parliamentarian

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages ​​(44-1)
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources (43-2)

House of Commons Committees

• Standing Committee on the Status of Women (44-1) (43-2) (43-1)
• Standing Committee on Natural Resources (43-2)
• Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (43-2) (43-1)
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (43-1)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• None

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• None

Written questions of interest to PCH

• None

Main interests

• Francophone minorities in Canada
• Telecommunications technology

Biography (from the political party’s website)

Joël Godin worked in the communications field, and was director of sales at FM93, CITF and TQS, to name a few. He started his company, AJC Communication inc., in the fall of 2008, capitalizing on his leadership abilities.

He then worked for Louis-Hébert MLA Sam Hamad, first as his political advisor in his office as Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region and then, as manager of his constituency office.

He sat on a number of boards including the Québec Winter Carnaval, Laval University’s Rouge et Or golf club, the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, Fondation Sourdine, as well as on a number of sports associations and groups where his children were participants.

He and his family have lived in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures for nearly 20 years.

Functions as a parliamentarian

• Shadow Minister for Official Languages (44-1)

House of Commons Committees

• Standing Committee on Official Languages (43-2)
• Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (43-2)
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (43-1)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• None

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• French in Quebec (43-2)

Written questions of interest to PCH

• None

Main interests

• Broadcasting
• Institutional bilingualism
• Francophones linguistic rights

Biography (from the political party’s website)

Former President of the Fédération Québécoise des municipalités (FQM), Mr. Richard Lehoux is a strong champion of regions. He is really passionate by municipal politics, and his leadership is well established and recognized on Quebec’s political scene.

Born in 1956, Mayor of Saint-Elzéar from 1998 to 2017 and Reeve of the Nouvelle-Beauce RCM from 2000 to 2017, he was a member of the Board of the FQM between 2001 and 2017. He was Vice-President from 2010 to 2014 and Interim President for three months in 2012, before his election as President, a position he held between 2014 and 2017. He played a leading role in all battles and all gains of the FQM in recent years: Phase 3 of the National Rurality Policy, Framework Act on the occupation and the vitality of territories, Commission of Inquiry on the awarding and management of public contracts in the construction industry, Mines Act, Partnership with the government in 2016-2019, etc.

Very solicited, he was also Vice-President of the Mutuelle des municipalités du Québec (MMQ) since its foundation by the FQM in 2003, and was President from 2017 to June 2018.

He is the father of three children and grand-father of nine grandchildren. As an agriculture entrepreneur, he exported his savoir-faire on the international stage. Now, he puts his expertise and his passion to the service of municipalities and regions of Quebec.

Functions as a parliamentarian

• Deputy Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Security – Agriculture and Agri-Food (44-1)
• Associate Shadow Cabinet Minister for Rural Economic Development – Industry (43-2)
• Associate Shadow Cabinet Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food – Agriculture and Agri-Food (43-1)

House of Commons Committees

• Standing Committee Agriculture and Agri-Food (44-1) (43-2) (43-1)
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (43-1)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• None

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• None

Written questions of interest to PCH

• None

Main interests

• Rural communities
• Inflation
• Emergencies Act

Biography (from the political party’s website)

Alain Rayes first entered politics as a candidate for the Action démocratique du Québec party, under the leadership of Mario Dumont, in 2003. Fuelled by his passion for politics and community service, he became mayor of Victoriaville in 2009. In October 2015, was elected as the member for Richmond-Arthabaska for the Conservative Party. Since then, he has taken on numerous roles in Parliament and, in June 2017, was named Quebec Political Lieutenant by Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer.

He is very active on social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. His accessibility and relevance quickly made him a point person for the national media for comment on a variety of issues. His communications skills and expertise have helped him gain recognition throughout Quebec.

Immediately following his election as a member of Parliament, he began drawing notice for his drive and enthusiasm. He was soon given key responsibilities in the party, including as Assistant Critic for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. In the role, he was responsible for addressing the legalization of marijuana, giving several interviews and statements in the House on the subject. He also publicly addressed electoral reform, as an official party critic for the issue, alongside Gérard Deltell. In July 2016, the interim leader of the Conservative Party named him Assistant Critic for Foreign Affairs, and, in September, he took on the role of Associate Critic for Infrastructure, Communities and Urban Affairs. Within his first year as an MP, he had already become a member of the party’s shadow cabinet. In that capacity, he has fought especially hard for infrastructure investment in regions with pressing needs. In June 2017, he was named the Conservative Party’s Quebec Political Lieutenant.

Functions as a parliamentarian

• Shadow Minister for Official Languages – Canadian Heritage (44-1)
• Shadow Cabinet Minister for Canadian Heritage, Official Languages and Quebec Economic Development – Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec (43-1) (43-2)
• Shadow Cabinet Minister for Canadian Heritage, Official Languages and Quebec Economic Development – Canadian Heritage (43-1) (43-2)

House of Commons Committees

• Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (43-2)
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (43-1)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• C-300, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (books by Canadian authors) (43-2)

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• Official Languages – Modernization of the Official Languages Act (44-1) (43-2)
• Broadcasting – Bill C-10 (43-2)
• Official Languages – Official Languages in federal departments (43-2)
• Finances – WE Charity (43-1)

Written questions of interest to PCH

• None

Main interests

• Broadcasting
• Service to the community
• Social Media
• Protection of original francophone content

Biography (from the political party’s website)

Jacques Gourde was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006, then re-elected successively for the terms of 2008 and 2011 as Member of Parliament for Lotbinière-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière and in 2015 in the same constituency this time -here renowned in Lévis-Lotbinière.

He has held and alternated the positions of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue; Parliamentary Secretary for Official Languages; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.

Graduated in agricultural management, he was, prior to his political involvement as a deputy, producer and exporter of hay in Saint-Narcisse-de-Beaurivage.

Functions as a parliamentarian

• Deputy Shadow Minister for Rural Economic Development and Rural Broadband Strategy (44-1)

House of Commons Committees

• Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (43-2) (43-1)
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (43-1)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• C-215, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (illness, injury or quarantine) (44-1)
• C-293, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to another Act (interim release and domestic violence recognizance) (43-2)

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• Finances – WE Charity (43-1)

Written questions of interest to PCH

• None

Main interests

• Protection of privacy and reputation on platforms
• Individual freedoms

Biography (from the political party’s website)

Elected leader of the party in 2014, Mr. Beaulieu again occupied the leadership of the Bloc Québécois as interim leader during the fall 2018 session, then as parliamentary leader designated by Yves-François Blanchet upon his arrival at the head of the left. During his mandate, he introduced Bill C-421 to make sufficient knowledge of French a condition for obtaining citizenship in Quebec. He carried various other issues related to the protection and promotion of the French language.

He also worked to forge ties with cultural communities, particularly the Palestinian and Kabyle communities, in addition to establishing a local citizenship ceremony to welcome the new arrivals. He has been campaigning in the independence movement for 30 years.

House of Commons Committees

• Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Official Languages (43-2)
• Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Official Languages (43-2)
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (43-1)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• C-421, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (adequate knowledge of French in Quebec) (42-1)

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• Official languages in the public service, Official languages, The decline of French in Québec, French language in Québec and Bill 101

Written questions of interest to PCH

• Q-348 – Court Challenges Program (43-2)

Main interests

• Institutional bilingualism
• Sufficient knowledge of French for immigrants
• Governance
• Decline of French in Québec
• Funding of French Media
• Linguistic asymmetry

Biography (from the political party’s website)

Niki was first elected as the MP for Churchill – Keewatinook Aski in 2008, when she was 26, and lives in her hometown of Thompson.

She believes in true reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. She works to bring together Indigenous peoples, students, workers, the LGBTQI2S+ community, and women in the pursuit of justice.

Functions as a parliamentarian

• Critic – National Revenue (Tax Fairness and Inequality) (44-1)
• Deputy Critic Indigenous Services – Indigenous Services Canada (44-1)
• Critic – Transport (43-1) (43-2)
• Critic – Public Works and Government Services (Public Works) (43-1) (43-2)
• Deputy Critic for Women and Gender Equality – Women and Gender Equality (43-1) (43-2)

House of Commons Committees

• Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Official Languages (44-1)
• Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Official Languages (43-2)
• Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (43-1)

Private Member’s Business of interest to PCH

• None

Question period and interventions of interest to PCH

• None

Written questions of interest to PCH

• Q-360 – Surveillance and policing and litigation against Indigenous peoples (43-1)

Main interests

• Indigenous Peoples
• LGBTQI2S+ community and women