Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday a new report was tabled in this House concerning the state of Canadian pipelines and refineries.
We support a central component of the report's main recommendation: that any changes to the environmental assessment process should not “reduce the current public access to the review process”.
A mere day after this report was tabled, the government dumped its giant budget bill on this House. The budget bill tears out the heart of the environmental assessment process and greatly limits public participation.
These changes concern my constituents. Kinder Morgan has formally announced plans to build a giant new crude oil pipeline through the centre of our city. Under the new budget bill laws, there is no guarantee that any public participation will be allowed on this project.
The government should abide by the committee's recommendations. It should ensure it does not reduce the public's ability to voice their legitimate concerns on this or any other major development.