Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Welcome to all of my colleagues, as well as everyone currently listening to the debate. I’d like to seize the opportunity to apologize profusely for delaying the start of the meeting by a few minutes because I had some technical difficulties.
First and foremost, I want to welcome you, Minister. This is the first time we have had the opportunity for a direct conversation on the subject, which is very important for the future of Canada and the future of the planet, that is to say the environment. I had the opportunity and privilege to be appointed as a minister of the shadow cabinet. In other words, I am the Official Opposition Critic for Environment and Climate Change. I am very honoured to have my party leader’s trust in this.
I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to debate with the minister. In Quebec, he is a well known figure, and for good reason. He was very active in the environmental movement. That makes him an activist, and I am not using the word pejoratively. Quite the contrary, it is a word that suits him well. When a person as active as he is in civil society decides to leap into active politics, everyone wins, but the walk has to follow the talk.
Over the last few months, we found ourselves in a situation where the minister greenlighted the Bay du Nord development project, which put him directly at odds with his former activist friends. However, we considered it the right thing to do for Canada and welcomed the decision.
Of course, other decisions raise concerns for us, and we will have the opportunity to debate them over the coming months.
For the next few minutes, let’s focus on Bill S‑5.
I want to reassure the minister and everyone else: Conservatives support the principle of living in a healthy environment. We noted, however, like many others, that senators submitted a large number of amendments. In general, they consist of minor amendments that we can deal with. However, there are nine amendments which are of serious concern to us, and that is what I would like to talk to the minister about.
Essentially, we worry that in certain cases, the amendments could duplicate responsibilities, efforts and bureaucracy. Moreover, we think that some situations lack clarity.
I’d like to draw the minister’s attention to amendment No. 10, passed by the Senate, which introduces a new designation, that of a vulnerable environment. In our view, it is very difficult to define what is vulnerable and what is not. Some think that everything is vulnerable, and others think that nothing or very little is vulnerable. Adding this designation in amendment No. 10 adds a layer of confusion, because it’s not fully explained.
I’d like to hear the minister’s opinion on the matter.