Bill C-38 (Historical)

An Act to permit the resumption and continuation of the operation of the National Research Universal Reactor at Chalk River

This enactment permits Atomic Energy of Canada Limited to resume and continue the operation of the National Research Universal Reactor at Chalk River in Ontario for a period of 120 days despite certain conditions of its licence under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

[Gary Lunn, Conservative, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are full of conspiracy theories. Each day they come back with a new theory, when in reality they do not know what they stand for. They criticize the government for not engaging soon enough. Then they say that we should not have been engaged and that we should not have responded.

One day the Liberals say that they support Bill C-38, after they have had ample opportunity to examine all the witnesses. Then they change their minds the next day. Now they are starting to criticize people from various agencies.

The government respects all employees at the CNSC and AECL for their hard work. We will continue to stand behind them for getting the job done.

[Gary Lunn, Conservative, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, that is absolute nonsense coming from the other side. When we were faced with a situation in early December, the government took reasonable steps, and ultimately had the support of every political party, to ensure the health and safety of all Canadians by resuming the production of medical isotopes.

The hon. member and the party opposite do not know what they stand for. One day they say that we should not have acted. The next day they say that we did not act soon enough. They say that they support Bill C-38. The following week they change their minds. They say that they are not sure if they should have done so. They do not know where they stand.

Chalk River Nuclear Facilities

[Gary Lunn, Conservative, Minister of Natural Resources]

Again, Mr. Speaker, the facts are very clear in this situation. We had to act. The former president had a number of options available to her to resolve this issue. She chose not to act. Those facts were clear.

This matter was brought before Parliament and ultimately it took this Parliament, every party and every single member, to support Bill C-38 so that the reactor could resume operations and Canadians' lives did not need to be put at risk unnecessarily. This government acted and did what it had to do.

[Stephen Harper, Conservative, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I think the testimony on Bill C-38 indicates that this government and the ministers acted as quickly as possible upon learning the information.

The real question is why the deputy leader of the opposition does not listen to himself. He says this was a crisis, but as late as this Tuesday afternoon, he was still insisting the government should defer to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, to Ms. Keen, and not act at all. That is the position he is going to have to explain.

Suspension of Sitting

[The Deputy Speaker, Bill Blaikie]

At this time, pursuant to the agreement earlier in the day, the chair now recesses the House and the House will resume at the call of the chair to go into committee of the whole on Bill C-38.

(The sitting of the House was suspended at 6:35 p.m.)

[For continuation of proceedings see part B]

Business of the House

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, York—Simcoe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that at the conclusion of private members' hour the House will, subject to a recess as may be necessary to facilitate the physical setup, immediately proceed to the consideration of Bill C-38.

I can also advise that it has been indicated to me that all of the witnesses we have listed in the motion are intending to be here to testify before the committee of the whole and provide evidence.

I would additionally add that the Minister of Health and the Minister of Natural Resources will also be available, but are not listed in the motion because of course of their status as members of the House.