Madam Speaker, I was very happy to hear the spokesperson for the Conservative Party indicating support for the direction of the Westray bill, Bill C-45. However, I am deeply disturbed that he has made no indication that his party shares the concerns that have been widely raised about the shortfall and inadequacies in the legislation that is now before the House.
Let us be clear, we are talking about a piece of legislation that has been 11 years in incubation and is only finally now finding its way into the light of day. It leaves me wondering whether the Conservative Party has already dropped the term “progressive”.
I want to ask the member if he would clarify something. I have heard from many people that if this legislation had actually been in place at the time the Westray disaster occurred in Nova Scotia 11 years ago in 1992 costing 26 lives, that it would not have made any difference whatsoever in establishing the criminal liability, the criminal culpability, of the directors and senior managers of that company. They clearly were responsible for horrendous deeds that were documented in the Westray inquiry. Is the member prepared to fight alongside the New Democratic Party and all others concerned? We must ensure that the bill actually is what it needs to be to get the job done in the future both by way of prevention, and punitive measures where they are deserved.