Madam Speaker, we listened carefully to the member's speech. This is the second time he has asked about this and I know there are concerns. According to the member there is a problem; we know this because it has been raised many times by the Liberal members for Compton—Stanstead and Brome—Missisquoi.
The government is very much interested in this matter. Hon. members must understand that we are following the different steps in this situation; we must follow the necessary process.
There are two things. The situation at the Coventry landfill site remains a Vermont decision and the hon. member fully understands that. Indeed, his colleagues from Compton—Stanstead and Brome—Missisquoi have already been to Vermont with people from the area to meet with authorities from the State of Vermont and representatives from associations responsible for the process, such as Vermont Solid Waste Management Program. The State of Vermont process is known as the Act 250 Process.
I want to point out to the hon. member that if it were truly a question of assistance—he talked about financial assistance—first, I must indicate that those knowledgeable about the environment, experts who have things to say about the drinking water situation, can easily come to the assistance of the agencies. People are currently coming forward with their knowledge. We also know the position of the Government of Quebec.
However, it needs to be made clear—and the hon. member is well aware of this—that going before the International Joint Commission is a last resort. We must start at the beginning of the process, not at the end. We fully understand what is happening and what the representatives of Vermont think about expanding the landfill site. However it is important to realize that there are steps we must follow.
It should be obvious to anyone here that what the hon. member is asking for is not just that we go to the international joint commission, which, as we have told the member on many occasions, is actually at the end of the process, he is now asking for some money. What else will he be asking for?
The reality is that we stand four square behind the constituents who have a legitimate concern about potable drinkable water, about water that is not in any way damaged by the proposal made in Vermont.
This is not the first time, and it will not be the last, as the member aptly indicated. The minister stated on April 19 that:
Vermont officials have assured us that the comments made by Quebec will receive the same consideration as the ones made in Vermont.
This is true. but the minister also said:
—the...regional county municipality has been involved in the process and is considering asking for party status.
He went on to say that there were other steps. There is the Environmental Protection Agency and there is also the government of Vermont.
There are things we need to do. This matter will not be resolved today, and a decision has not yet been made. Although I understand the member's concern, we are still assessing the problem raised by the members for Compton—Stanstead and Brome—Missisquoi.