Mr. Speaker, while the majority of northeastern B.C. residents are in favour of developing our natural resources responsibly, some of my constituents have expressed concerns about shipping these resources overseas.
Our government understands the importance of protecting our nation's waters. That is why we have introduced a comprehensive plan to develop a world-class tanker safety system here in Canada, in particular off the west coast. This new plan would implement eight new tanker safety measures; introduce a safeguarding Canada seas and skies act; and create a tanker safety panel to review Canada's current tanker safety regime and propose further measures to strengthen it. Although we already have strong tanker safety in Canada, these new measures would represent the first steps toward developing a world-class tanker safety system.
Our government will continue our efforts to increase trade while protecting our environment for generations to come with a first-class tanker safety system second to none in the world.