Debates of Dec. 7th, 2011

Michelle Rempel Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, let us look at the NDP's playbook on international relations, the energy sector and the environment. First, they lobby against Canadian jobs in the energy sector. Second, they vote against climate change budgetary measures. Third, they tell the international community to ignore our country. Fourth, they revel in awards that denigrate our country.

We have a plan that will ensure that all major emitters come to the table in an international agreement and a sector-by-sector regulatory approach. It is a plan that is working and a plan that makes sense.

Megan Leslie Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, while the rest of the world is in Durban trying to make progress on these negotiations, Canada is telling the world that we are not interested because instead of making Canada a world leader in clean energy, they are first, giving away billions in tax breaks to fossil fuel companies; second, breaking their promise to regulate the oil sands emissions; and third, cutting funding for renewable energy.

Why is the government isolating Canada? Why is it shutting us out of the green economy of the future?

Michelle Rempel Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure what my colleague opposite would call an economy that is a world leader in exporting intellectual property related to clean energy technology, as well as an energy sector that invests billions of dollars and has seen tangible reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This is Canada. This is working.

Her party votes against budgetary measures to continue R and D in this area. Our electricity sector produces 75% of our electricity from non-emitting GHG sources.

The member should be proud of our country and proud of our environmental plan.

Françoise Boivin Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, it turns out the government's story on firearms tracking is not quite true.

In fact, the government is playing with fire.

The RCMP commissioner of firearms confirmed yesterday that firearms dealers and stores will no longer be required to record information on gun sales.

Gun vendors are no longer required to keep a record of transactions.

Thanks to this government, police have lost their last tool to track firearms used in violent crimes, but that is not what the government wanted us to believe. Either the government does not understand its own bill, or the RCMP has it wrong. Which is it?

Vic Toews Minister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, if the member does not understand what we are trying to do, let me make it clear for her. What we are doing is repealing the long gun registry, which is made up of data. Those data will be destroyed in order to scrap the long gun registry.

Kirsty Duncan Etobicoke North, ON

Mr. Speaker, reports from Durban are shocking. The government is missing in action, invisible, and our country, once prided as the global environmental leader, has been relegated to the margins of the Durban debate. One media commentator went as far as to say, “Canada's invisibility at the summit suggests that it is ashamed of their climate stand” and Canada's “reputation is taking a beating”.

Why is the government failing our country and the world by abdicating global leadership on the world's most pressing environmental issue?

Michelle Rempel Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, I am not quite sure where the Liberal Party's concern for our environment was when it signed on to an international agreement that only included one-third of the world's global emitters, or where it implemented policies that would be detrimental to our economy through a massive carbon tax.

What is truly shameful is that the member's party opposite does not support a plan that looks at a sector-by-sector regulatory approach that will balance our environment with economic sustainability, and our country's approach to saying that we need an agreement with everyone around the table.

Joyce Murray Vancouver Quadra, BC

Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary secretary needs to brush up on her homework.

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order. Order.

The hon. member for Vancouver Quadra.

We will let the member for Vancouver--Quadra put her question.

Joyce Murray Vancouver Quadra, BC

Mr. Speaker, China has said it is willing to go even further in its commitments under the Kyoto protocol. Meanwhile, the Canadian government is saying that it is abandoning its commitments under that agreement.

While most leading economic nations are committing to developing green economies, why are the Conservatives turning to their Reform Party roots and refusing to serve the economic and environmental interests of Canadians?

Michelle Rempel Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, what is in the best interests of Canadians is an approach to managing our environment that balances both economic sustainability and the environment. This is why we have a sector-by-sector approach to regulate our emissions, as well as promoting an agreement where all international players are at the table.

This is what we stand for. This is what Canadians want. It is an action focused plan.