Christine Stewart

[The Environment, April 22nd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the numbers the government is using with regard to what we have accomplished, which is significant on the issue of ozone depletion, as we have done a lot to improve that situation, come from scientists within the Department of the Environment. They are not Liberals. They are professional scientists.

It is a fact that we continue to do scientific work on this issue within our department. We are very concerned to continue to make sure that CFCs and ozone depleting substances are reduced until the ozone cover is cured completely.

[Environment, March 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for raising this important issue here in the House.

Certainly the Ontario ministry has spoken to me about its concern with sources of air pollution coming from south of the border into the province. I will take the opportunity to speak to the province to make sure that it takes every effort to minimize sources of air pollution within the province of Ontario to ensure it does not affect Ontario citizens and citizens in other parts of Canada.

[Varennes Tokamak, March 27th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in the context of climate change the government is doing an analysis and review with all our partners to see how we as a federal government can work with our partners to bring about new measures to reduce greenhouse gases.

We will be looking at all the mechanisms available to the federal government.

[Endangered Species, March 26th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, this government has made a commitment to re-table our endangered species protection legislation and we will do so. Before doing so, I am in the process of consulting with the different sectors that may be implicated or impacted by this legislation. I believe we are coming to a consensus about a good piece of legislation to protect endangered species.

[Wolf Hunts, March 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, since this issue has come to the attention of Canadians, I have had the opportunity to communicate with my territorial counterpart on a couple of occasions, the last being last week.

My department has offered resources and personnel to assist the minister to do an assessment of the population of wolves in the area affected. As well, we are very concerned about the fact that native peoples in the north are dependent upon living off the land. We want to ensure, with the minister in the Northwest Territories, that their practices are sustainable. We have agreed to help him in meeting with aboriginal peoples to make sure that they are so.

[The Environment, March 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, all the regulations we put in place are enforced.

I would also like to say that enforcement is a serious concern to me as it is for many Canadians. I have asked my department to review our enforcement activities and to find the resources to make sure that our environment is adequately protected.

[The Environment, March 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to respond to the question. What I said last week is that there is within my department resources available to deal with all enforcement issues necessary, including inspections.

The deputy minister was before the committee. He did respond that there is a review under way to find how we can reallocate some resources to make sure that we have effective enforcement within the department.

[The Environment, March 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, under the current Canadian Environmental Protection Act the government has accomplished a great deal to protect the natural environment.

We no longer have dioxins and furans going into water the way we did before. We have removed lead from gasoline. We are dealing with benzene. We have accomplished untold numbers of things.

The government will continue to work through the existing legislation and the new legislation to improve the quality of our environment.

[The Environment, March 12th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, it was a great honour today to be able to table legislation to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The act is meant to enhance our environment, to improve our air and water quality, and to ensure that we have a good natural environment.

Important principles are embodied in this legislation, one of them being pollution prevention. It is less costly to be engaged in pollution prevention than to have to deal with the issues of enforcement after pollution occurs.

This department has sufficient resources to deal with every element of environmental protection under the current act and the one to come into force.

[Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1998, March 12th, 1998]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-32, an act respecting pollution prevention and the protection of the environment and human health in order to contribute to sustainable development.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honour and pleasure today to introduce amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act which are intended to enhance the protection of our environment and all Canadians' health and will involve all Canadians in doing so.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)