Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport has asked me to address the concerns expressed in the House over perceived delays in the granting of the necessary federal approval for Ste. Marguerite 3 hydro electric project.
The construction of the project requires a permit under the Navigable Waters Protection Act, which is administered by the Department of Transport.
The scope of the work required an environmental assessment. To that end the federal and provincial governments agreed to conduct a joint public panel.
On March 28, 1994 the Department of Transport, on behalf of the federal government, made public the federal response to the Bureau d'audiences publique sur l'environnement, BAPE, panel report.
The Department of Transport is moving expeditiously to complete its statutory responsibilities. Following the minister's February 24 announcement, departmental officials contacted the province and Hydro Quebec to explain the requirements for Navigable Waters Protection Act approval.
In order to finalize the approval documents the Department of Transport will have to receive and approve the final detailed plans and drawings of the project. In accordance with the Navigable Waters Protection Act, Hydro Quebec must deposit these plans in a land registry office and advertise their project intentions in two local newspapers and the Canada Gazette and await 30 days prior to commencing any work which may interfere with navigation.
To close, Hydro Quebec can and has, I believe, begun the road work for the project. There is certainly work that is not associated with the Navigable Waters Protection Act process with which they can proceed. Contrary to the comments of the hon. member for Frontenac, I believe the government commitment to both the protection of the environment and to job creation have been met.
I might also remind the hon. member that not long ago the United Nations declared Canada the number one place on the planet where to live, measured against certain criteria and thanks to the co-operation of all provinces, territories and the federal government. He should take that to bed and sleep on it.