Evidence of meeting #2 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was going.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Jim Eglinski Conservative Yellowhead, AB
That we invite them and ask them for prior information, if they have it.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Absolutely. I'll add that, and that we will extend their time, the one department that needs to extend it to 20 minutes. It may not take 20 minutes, but we'll give them up to 20 minutes. That's great. That includes the Tuesday of the following week, the audit and the two agencies that are in that.
So it's moved.
(Motion agreed to)
We have that done. Great.
We have five minutes. Go ahead, Mr. Cullen.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
The motion's in front of people. I think it's been sent around.
Are you just getting it now?
NDP
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Wait, bad joke; wrong time to joke about bombs.
This is with regard to the environment minister's desk. There's been a big reaction to this proposal from a bunch of folks on this side of the border and in the U.S. OPG wants to put a deep geologic repository in Kincardine, Ontario. The motion in front of you is pretty straightforward. In terms of groups, I'm suggesting a one-meeting shot at this. A lot of those mayors, regional district groups, and some on the U.S. side of the border are quite concerned about it as well.
To be quite clear, I've dealt with the waste commission before. The process they're using for their long-term disposal has actually become a lot better in terms of consulting with communities and whatnot. That's a different track. This one is a more immediate, short-term thing. This is the low-level nuclear waste stuff, which is way better for you than the really intense stuff. The siting and the location and the consultation process so far on this have been really disappointing to a bunch of mayors.
The happy thing on this one is that it's very cross-partisan. People from all political parties are raising issues on this. It would certainly be a good thing for our American neighbours. When this was proposed on the other side of the border, the then Conservative government way back in the day—it was Mr. Clark's time—raised huge concerns from the cabinet level on down, and I believe rebuffed the U.S.'s efforts. They stood down. That may be a little cross-border friendliness.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Yes, God help us if Donald Trump hears about it, because we'll be in big trouble if we don't have some hearings or something. Even if we do, we probably are.
That's it.
Conservative
Jim Eglinski Conservative Yellowhead, AB
Thank you for bringing it up.
I am interested in whether or not we have a national policy in place. If we're going to have a discussion, perhaps we could have some information on the national policy so that at least we know where we're going with this and what the past practices have been.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
I'm no expert on the national policy. We've seen it before. The nuclear waste commission has two tracks. One is long term, which they're in the process of right now. I think they're down to five or six communities that they've figured out for the long-term stuff, mostly mining.
This is quite a bit, at 400,000 cubic metres, of nuclear waste, and the site is just a little shy of a kilometre from Lake Huron. They've passed a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, and have called for reconsideration, so it's reached a pretty high level. I have no idea which way the federal government will go on this, but it is in front of the minister right now. I wouldn't suggest that this would be political cover of any kind, but it would certainly....
This is something the committee does. This is something we've engaged in before. We've had the nuclear commission in front of us a number of times over the last 10 years. My first time with them was probably 10 years ago.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
The only reason I'm bringing it forward today, Madam Chair, is the timing. Normally this would—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Yes. We do know that the minister is seized with it, and she has to make a determination—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
We do have a commitment and people lined up for this coming Thursday, so....
Go ahead, Mr. Gerretsen.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
I was just going to ask if it might be premature to start this course of action before getting a better understanding of what the minister might be planning.
NDP
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
It's cart-and-horse time. Once the decision is made, whether the committee would take hearings on it would be much more doubtful. As soon as the commissioner renders her decision, then it's more political, in a sense, particularly if the committee hears the strong opposition or concerns that I think are being raised and heard from the American side.
I won't speak for your side, but it would be more fraught for you to accept such a motion once the minister has already decided. Do you see what I mean? But again, it's your call and your decisions.