Mr. Speaker, the environment minister has failed to respond to requests by the Mikisew Cree First Nation and the McMurray Métis for a federal environmental assessment of an experimental project to extract bitumen.
These communities have raised serious concerns about how the chemicals involved could impact their ground and surface waters and fisheries.
Prime Minister Harper excluded these kinds of projects from federal laws, which the Liberals have yet to reverse.
The government claims to respect the rights and interests of first nations and Métis. So, why has the minister not used her overriding power to order this environmental review?