Christian Paradis

[Shipping Radioactive Waste, February 9th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, public hearings and an additional round of written submissions took place throughout the fall, and the Government of Quebec did not signal any concerns at that time.

I spoke to my colleague, Minister Arcand, this morning and I offered to have the commission give briefings to all the appropriate officials. I extend the same offer to members of the House of Commons. Perhaps they will finally understand the facts and stop manipulating perceptions, as the leader of the Bloc Québécois has done for too long.

[Natural Resources, February 8th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, this is fearmongering of the worst sort.

Paragraph 48 of the decision clearly notes that surface radiation from one steam generator is no more than one would find in a package of medical isotopes, the same packages that are delivered in each hospital every day in the country.

I do not know why the member is once again trying to undermine the credibility of a quasi-judicial organization, which is arm's-length from the government.

[Shipping Radioactive Waste, February 8th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the report of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission cannot be any clearer. Evidence was submitted to a quasi-judicial body made up of scientists. I know that the decision was made with a view to protecting workers, the environment and the general public. What is more, Canada is assuming its international responsibilities.

Again, the radiation on the surface of a steam generator is not as high as the radiation on the medical isotope packages that are delivered across the country every day. They should stop fearmongering. It is irresponsible.

[Shipping Radioactive Waste, February 8th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, instead of sending everyone into a panic, as the hon. member is trying to do, let us put things into perspective.

This attempt to instill panic is absolutely wrong and dishonest. The decision clearly states in paragraph 48—I urge the hon. member to read and understand the decision—that there is less radiation on the surface of the generators than on isotope packages, the medical isotope packages that are delivered each day to hospitals across the country. They should stop fearmongering.

[Natural Resources, February 7th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the government's priority is the economy, and we provide support to Quebeckers in all regions of Quebec. That is why, since 2008, we have provided assistance to over 652 forestry companies in Quebec. Take, for example, Domtar and Tembec, in Windsor and Matane, respectively, where over 500 jobs were consolidated. The Conservative government is always working to provide assistance to all sectors of the economy and to people in all regions of Quebec.

[Nuclear Safety, February 7th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, it is no surprise that the Bloc Québécois would resort to scare tactics. This is not about nuclear waste, but rather nuclear generators. I have no doubt that the commission's decision was based on protecting the health and safety of Canadians at all times, as well as protecting the environment.

[Nuclear Safety, February 7th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is an independent body that is responsible for ensuring safety in the nuclear sector. I have no doubt that the commission carefully considered and assessed Bruce Power's ability to carry out the shipment of generators while taking measures to protect the environment, the health and safety of Canadians, as well as our international obligations as a country.

[Harmonization of Sales Taxes, February 7th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, it is very clear. It is not complicated. If the same agreement is reached with Quebec as was reached with the other provinces, the issue will be resolved right away. The ball is now in Quebec's court.

We have always said that we are negotiating in good faith within the existing parameters, which have always been clearly set out. Once again, negotiations are well under way. We are negotiating with the Government of Quebec, not the Bloc Québécois.

[Harmonization of Sales Taxes, February 7th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, we have been clear from the start: Quebec will be treated the same as the other provinces. We began negotiations in good faith. These negotiations are well under way. The ball is now in Quebec's court. We would like to repeat once again that we are negotiating with the Government of Quebec, not the Bloc Québécois.

[Quebec Language Policy, February 7th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, speaking of keeping a straight face, it the hon. member's statements that are laughable. The member was speaking about constitutional peace. We have that peace thanks to the leadership of the Prime Minister and this Conservative government.