House of Commons Hansard #104 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was munitions.
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Speaker, the government is soon going to announce its decision on the northern gateway pipeline.
Meanwhile, even the Prime Minister's special envoy has said that the Conservatives have ignored aboriginal communities and that this project could violate their constitutional rights.
This government is incapable of protecting our environment and defending aboriginal communities.
Will it make the right decision and reject this project?
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, the review panel has submitted its report and the projects will only be approved if they are safe for Canadians and for the environment.
We are carefully studying the report and a decision will be made soon.
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Speaker, the joint review panel on the northern gateway warned that this project would cause adverse effects on a number of valued ecosystems. Obviously the environment is not a priority for this government. Because of gross Conservative mismanagement, this proposal faces a battery of legal challenges and even threats of civil disobedience.
Why are they pandering to the Prime Minister's pals instead of protecting the environment and defending the rights of aboriginal and B.C. communities? Just say no.
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, I think what the Liberal Party is saying is no to responsible resource development, and that is unfortunate for Albertans and British Columbians.
We are thoroughly reviewing the joint panel recommendations prior to making any decision on this project. We are proud of the action we have taken to ensure that Canada has a world-class regulatory framework and the means for the safest form of transportation for our energy products.
We have been clear. Projects will only proceed if they are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment.
Joyce Murray Liberal Vancouver Quadra, BC
Mr. Speaker, great news today from the Department of National Defence, which announced that an RFP to replace the aging CF-18s will be coming out between 2017 and 2019 with a decision to come between 2018 and 2020.
Can the government confirm that the Prime Minister's Office will not overrule DND's timelines, that an RFP will go out in 2017 to 2019, and that that request for proposals will be open to all airplane manufacturers?
Diane Finley ConservativeMinister of Public Works and Government Services
Mr. Speaker, I should reaffirm that no decision has been made yet on how to replace the CF-18s.
To make the decision, we did embark on an ambitious seven-point plan. We had an independent panel of outside experts review the assessment that was done by the RCAF. Over the next several weeks we will be carefully reviewing a number of reports on this subject so that we can make sure that we get the equipment our men and women in uniform need to do the job.
Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, in the Nadon affair, the Supreme Court told the Conservatives that they could not appoint a Federal Court judge to represent Quebec on the highest court.
Instead of acknowledging that ruling, they are trying to get around it by appointing Justice Mainville to the Quebec Court of Appeal, likely so that they can later appoint him to the Supreme Court. They are not fooling anyone with this trick. What is more, Justice Mainville's appointment is now being challenged in court.
Why is the Prime Minister using Quebec's courts to thumb his nose yet again at the Supreme Court and our Constitution?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, once again, the member is wrong.
It is in fact the reality that this individual is not only highly qualified but applied for this position.
It would be interesting for Quebecers to know that this member and her party seem to be continually taking the side of a Toronto defence lawyer who is standing up for Quebec.
Françoise Boivin NDP Gatineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, maybe he should read all the comments that came out in French over the weekend.
Judicial appointments should not be a process of trial and error to satisfy the Prime Minister's ego. Like Justice Nadon, Justice Mainville sat on the Federal Court. The Supreme Court clearly stated that this makes them ineligible to represent Quebec on the Supreme Court. It is a matter of complying with the Constitution and the civil law tradition.
Could the Minister of Justice confirm whether his government plans on appointing Justice Mainville to the Supreme Court? He almost implied it earlier.
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, insinuation and speculation is the mainstay of the NDP. Clearly this is an individual of outstanding legal merit, similar to Mr. Justice Nadon, who I remind the hon. member she referred to as an excellent jurist and a brilliant man.
This individual is the same. In fact, clearly, he is someone who was a member of the Quebec bar association for 33 years, in addition to sitting five years as a judge. She should get behind this individual and support him and his good work as a new appeal court judge in the province of Quebec.
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Mr. Speaker, the National Energy Board, the organization that is responsible for overseeing the safety of oil pipelines, estimates that it will have to spend $21 million to move from Calgary to Calgary. They must be doing business with the Andrew Leslie moving company. Twenty-one million dollars is unbelievable. That is more than the additional $13.5 million the board received to increase pipeline inspections and improve safety across Canada. Why are the Conservatives spending more money on this move than on pipeline safety?
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, we are proud of the work the National Energy Board does. Their decisions are driven by science and facts, contrary to the ideological position the NDP takes over responsible resource development. We have every bit of confidence they will continue to do their good work.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, not only have the Conservatives spent twice as much money on the National Energy Board move as they have on pipeline safety, but they are also hiding the details of this expense. The only information on the board's website is that it has moved three blocks over. How did they manage to spend $21 million on that? Why hide the details of that expense?
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, we know that the NDP is opposed to scientific regulatory review of projects for ideological reasons. We on this side of the House are proud of the National Energy Board, which is mandated to listen to those who are directly affected and can choose to hear from those who have relevant information or knowledge in that domain. We will allow the independent scientific review committee to draft its recommendations on projects.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, speaking about ideology, they take $21 million to move a few blocks, and that is almost double the amount of funding they announced for pipeline safety. It is no wonder people are getting fed up with the Conservative government.
Now, with no consultation, they choose someone straight from the Alberta Conservatives as the new head of the National Energy Board. From Keystone to northern gateway, Conservatives have gutted reviews and have taken a radical and unbalanced approach to pipelines. Will the Conservatives at least agree to call the new NEB chair to committee?
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, the candidate for the chair has impeccable credentials. Shame on her for not acknowledging that.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, then he should bring those credentials to committee.
While we are waiting for the decision on the northern gateway pipeline, the Prime Minister's special envoy for aboriginal affairs criticized the Conservatives' public relations job. However, the problem is more serious than public relations. The problem is the construction of an oil terminal in a fragile ecosystem like the north coast of British Columbia. Even Enbridge has indicated that the project cannot be 100% safe. An oil spill is therefore inevitable. Will the Conservatives say no to northern gateway?
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, first nations form a significant part of the natural resource sector in terms of their contribution for jobs and the employment opportunities it offers them. Success of this sector, in fact, depends on their full participation, from environmental stewardship to the economic benefits of responsible resource development.
Murray Rankin NDP Victoria, BC
Mr. Speaker, British Columbians want this pipeline proposal rejected. The multi-million dollar promotion campaign has completely failed. People know the pipeline proposal is short sighted and will pose significant risks. Waiting will not make it any better, waiting will not make it any more popular, waiting will not make it any safer, and waiting will not make anyone better prepared to deal with the inevitable oil spill.
Why will the government not end the uncertainty and just say “no” to northern gateway?
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, the Joint Review Panel has submitted its recommendation to the government. We are carefully reviewing this recommendation and the decision will be forthcoming.
There is another report out there, and this comes from the Board of Internal Economy. It has one recommendation: that the NDP pay back the $1.17 million it bilked the taxpayers out of. When is it going to pay careful attention to this decision and pay it back?
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, someone has an unpopular decision to make, I guess.
It is 24 hours until the Conservative government makes its decision—
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order, please. The hon. member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley now the floor. Members need to come to order.
The hon. member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley.
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is just 24 hours until Conservatives have the chance to make a decision on Enbridge northern gateway, 24 hours for 21 B.C. Conservatives to decide who they really work for.
On this side, we believe in working for British Columbians; on that side, it is the oil lobby. On this side, we respect first nations; on that side, they try to bully first nations. On this side, we believe in value-added jobs; on that side, they cannot ship them out fast enough.
With just 24 hours left to go, let us see who B.C. Conservatives really work for.
Greg Rickford ConservativeMinister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, we have been clear that projects will only proceed if they are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment. We are proud of the action we have taken to ensure Canada has a world-class regulatory framework and a means for the safest form of transportation for our energy products.
Our government is currently reviewing the independent Joint Review Panel prior to making any decisions on this project.