Minister, next week, in committee, we are going to be spending two days talking with representatives of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission about an extremely important matter. We mustn't panic, as some parties have done, but when the issue is nuclear waste, it is important that we be serious. Something concerns me about the Main Estimates. What is important in that budget, and I'm talking as a former minister, is the Compliance Program and the Licensing and Certification Program. That is what protects the independence of a commission from an applicant. If it is as important as that, can you explain why that budget has been cut? If there is one important budget, it is certainly the compliance, licensing and certification programs. That budget was cut by more than 10% between 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. If you want proper work to be done at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, don't you think you have to invest in it? All the mayors and authorities in the Great Lakes region and the Aboriginal people have an interest in this. What justification is there fore this cut, Minister?
On March 3rd, 2011. See this statement in context.