Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question, but it is not an easy one to answer in the time that I have.
Bill S-9 defines the word “environment”. I understand the skepticism of members on this side of the House because the government does not have a very good track record when it comes to the environment.
Of course, such toxic and dangerous substances can have extremely harmful effects on the environment. Earlier, I quoted an article from the Ottawa Citizen regarding the issue of transportation from Chalk River. There is a very important environmental aspect to all of this.
Subclause 2(2) of the bill clearly states:
2.(2) Section 2 of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:
“environment” means the components of the Earth and includes
(a) air, land and water,
(b) all layers of the atmosphere,
(c) all organic and inorganic matter and living organisms, and
(d) the interacting natural systems that include components referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c)...
This definition is very relevant. I am not sure that the government still sees things this way.