Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Mr. Edwards and Mr. Duguay.
You studied a lot. You are university professors. The evidence you gave is therefore credible. We must take it just as seriously as that of all the other witnesses we heard.
I listened to your presentations and as a citizen and a member of Parliament I am of the opinion it would be irresponsible to maintain the coverage at only $75 million dollars. One must be consistent and recognize that governments, both liberal and conservative, neglected to do the catch-up that was required. The result is that today we must jump from $75 million to $650 million dollars. There are also the premiums that the nuclear power operators have to pay and the pressure they are under as a consequence. Their concern is understandable. For years, there has been this neglect on the part of the governments in power in Canada.
I agree with you, $650 million dollars is far from enough. Just imagine if an accident were to happen in Pickering. The industries and the municipal infrastructures of cities like Oshawa and Toronto would be completely destroyed. We know that just one accident in the history of Canada, in any nuclear plant, would cause damage well in excess of 650 million dollars.
The witnesses we heard before you told us that it is difficult at the present time to find insurers offering coverage beyond $650 million dollars. In Europe, some countries have asked for one billion dollars protection. The amendment of the Paris Convention is presently delayed because there are not enough funds to pay for such a coverage.
As you say, we the members of Parliament are more or less stuck, as you say. We lack tools and information.
If we increase coverage and if operators are liable for 100% of all the damage caused, would the insurance, the cash and coverage be available everywhere in the world? This is my big question.
I agree with you, we should not promote nuclear energy. We should not encourage this form of energy, however we have nuclear plants operating at the present time. We must look at how we will be able to compensate municipalities or Canadians should an accident occur.
What do you say about the fact that no one, no insurance company, will cover the operators? What can we do in this regard?