Environment Committee on Nov. 27th, 2024

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

I understand Ms. Collins' point on biodiversity, but asking for an admission of guilt about something that was done or an admission statement.... I have no idea how this helps us discuss Bill C-73 or helps with the biodiversity issue at all.

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Chair, you allowed the Conservatives to ask about Jasper. You allowed Madame Pauzé to ask about Bay du Nord. Please give me the same leeway that you have given to the other committee members.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Absolutely, it's the Liberals who are stopping it; it's not the chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

This is very hard to sort out, I must admit.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Just let her finish the question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Can we just ask the question? Then—

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

I'm sure the minister's quite capable.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

—the minister, I'm sure, will have a good answer.

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

The Liberal members seem to think that the minister needs protecting somehow.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

No, he doesn't.

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

No, you are not allowing him to answer the question.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

He's asked for an apology and a withdrawal.

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

I apologize and withdraw....

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I'm going to pause.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Go ahead, Ms. Collins.

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

I'm giving you the opportunity to answer the question.

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

When we reformed the Impact Assessment Act in 2019—so before my arrival—

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

I'm sorry. Did you hear the question about whether you regret the Trans Mountain pipeline?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

I'm trying to get to your answer, if you'll allow me.

I will answer in French; it will be simpler.

When we reformed the Impact Assessment Act, we said that we would depoliticize the assessment of projects in Canada, that we would create an agency and that would give it the means to do its job. That is the agency that assesses projects and conducts consultations. The agency worked for four years on the project—

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Minister Guilbeault—

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Up until now, as Minister of the Environment, I have respected—

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

This is for my clarity so that I know that you are answering the correct question so that we're on the same page. Are you answering about the Trans Mountain pipeline?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

No, I'm sorry, I was talking about the Bay du Nord project. I wasn't there at the time—

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

You are currently part of the government right now.

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

I was elected in 2019—