Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in this place, as always, representing the people of Saanich—Gulf Islands from the traditional territory of the W_SÁNEC nation. Hych’ka Siam.
The petitioners are concerned about the export of thermal coal from Canadian ports. This coal generally comes up from the United States, is shipped to the port of Vancouver and leaves from our port. Colleagues might ask why it does not leave from the U.S. ports. It is because the export of thermal coal down the west coast to the United States has been halted due to the concern of those governments over the climate crisis.
The Liberals promised to end the export of thermal coal in the 2021 election. There were measures that were about to be passed in Bill C-33, which died on the Order Paper.
The concerned citizens who have signed this petition are calling on the government to immediately put thermal coal on the priority substances list of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and, as soon as possible, regulate it to ensure that it is not exported from Canadian ports.