Bill C-372

Fossil Fuel Advertising Act

An Act respecting fossil fuel advertising

This enactment enacts the Fossil Fuel Advertising Act to prohibit the promotion of fossil fuels except in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Environment and Sustainable Development

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Madam Speaker, the member was speaking about Bill C-373. I would like to ask him about Bill C-372.

António Guterres, the head of the UN, has called fossil fuel companies the “godfathers of climate chaos”. He said they are moving us to a living hell and that countries and governments have to stop acting as “enablers”. Part of that, for Guterres, is a ban on fossil fuel advertising, as it is a threat to human health and a threat to the health of the planet.

Would the member support Bill C-372, which would limit fossil fuel advertising? It is a direct threat to human health.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I would like to offer an apology. When I was discussing Bill C-372, Charlie Angus's NDP bill, I said “prison”. However, upon reading the text, it's actually “a fine not exceeding $1,000,000 or...imprisonment” of under two years, which is technically a jail, not a prison. I'm sorry for being incorrect in my verbiage.

National Council for Reconciliation Act

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague rightly pointed out, I very proudly get to represent a majority of Canada's energy industry, in the Fort McMurray—Cold Lake riding in the oil sands.

It is really interesting that, last week, the member for Timmins—James Bay brought forward a piece of legislation, a private member's bill, Bill C-372, that would make it illegal for people to talk positively about fossil fuels. Just today in the National Post, there was an op-ed by Stephen Buffalo, who is the CEO of the Indian Resource Council and also a member of the Samson Cree Nation. He is a really wonderful man. He stated, “In other words, it would make it illegal for anyone with a connection to the fossil fuel industry, including First Nations involved in oil and gas development, to discuss the benefits this will bring to Indigenous communities.”

It is a pretty sad state of affairs that the NDP thinks that is the way toward reconciliation with first nations.

Fossil Fuel Advertising Act

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-372, An Act respecting fossil fuel advertising.

Mr. Speaker, last summer, 200,000 Canadians were forced out of their homes from toxic fumes. Children were unable to go outside, and there were asthma attacks in elderly people from toxic pollution caused by burning fossil fuels. There are more people dying every year from pollution caused by fossil fuels than from tobacco.

The big tobacco moment has arrived. We know that big oil has done years of disinformation and interference and false claims about the damage it is doing to the planet, but it is also killing people.

Today, I am proud to rise and introduce a bill that would make illegal false advertising by the oil and gas industry. The big tobacco moment has finally arrived for big oil. We need to put human health ahead of the lies of the oil sector.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)