When Mr. Cullen talked to me about his motion, I told him I would have liked to have thought of it myself. To me, this is absolutely not a partisan issue. When faced with such a natural catastrophe, we, as politicians, have to take our responsibilities and work in the public interest. This is why we are here. I think it is urgent to debate this issue.
Mr. Allen is wondering whether we should conduct a bigger study. The question is interesting. I would be inclined to say yes because there are Canadian interests at stake, like Old Harry, the Newfoundland coast and the Hibernia project. Shouldn’t we try to learn more about these projects and determine if present federal legislation can ensure the safety of both the people and the environment?
As to how to organize this agenda, I am open to discussion. People all over the place are asking us to do something. I really think it is important to act.