I move NDP-2, except for the last paragraph, that Bill C-38, in clause 52, be amended by adding after line 8 on page 31 the following:
Whereas Canada recognizes the need for strong environmental laws to protect the air, water and land that current and future generations rely on to ensure our country's continued prosperity;
Whereas the key purpose of environmental assessment is to carefully consider the long term environmental consequences of development proposals before deciding how to proceed;
Whereas other federal legislation is often not invoked until damage to the environment has occurred;
Whereas the current liability borne by taxpayers for contaminated sites in Canada has demonstrated that lack of proper environmental assessment and stringent regulation results in immense financial burdens that could have been avoided;
And whereas public participation in decision making is a keystone for the sustainable and responsible development of Canada's natural resources;
(Amendment negatived)