Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Members, this section of the bill makes it very clear what authorities the government has to make regulations on environmental obligations at ports. I'll even extend it to not only at ports but also with port partners, whatever the method of transportation. This includes the ability to set emissions targets, the contents of climate change reports on a regular basis—timelines, and requirements for “public participation in the development of” these plans.
Mr. Chairman, this is sort of near and dear to my heart, because we've worked quite hard in our part of the world, in Niagara, alongside our partners—for example, with the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority and with a marine industry that plies the Great Lakes. I know for example that the marine industry that plies the Great Lakes has Green Marine and Marine Matters, and it really has taken on an initiative in partnership with the federal government, which is what this does, along with the Welland Canal area and, of course, into the Hamilton area as well. We take very seriously the partnership that we have with the federal government when it comes to setting those emissions targets and abiding by the environmental concerns that we all recognize—well, that at least most of us recognize—here in this country.
I can't support this subamendment, simply because it takes away that partnership and that ability that we otherwise have with our partners, not only within marine and within ports but also in the bigger picture with respect to the multimodal hubs that we've created and are strengthening. Quite frankly, Mr. Chairman, I want to add to that. Not only are they being strengthened for obvious economic reasons, but they are also being strengthened by the environmental responsibilities and the stewardship they've taken on in partnership with the federal government.