Christian Paradis

[Oil and Gas Sector, June 9th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we have to be clear here. We enforce world-class standards. Oil and gas rigs in the Canadian offshore, the equipment and operator training must meet these strict standards. Offshore companies must have an emergency response plan and back-up contingency plans approved by responsible regulators before any authorization to drill is issued.

Canadian regulators will not allow any offshore activity unless they are convinced that the environment and the safety of the workers will be protected.

[Oil and Gas Sector, June 9th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the members opposite have to stop scaring Canadians. We have one of the most solid systems in the world. We have a strict liability regime. Saying that absolute liability is limited is one thing, but there is also unlimited civil liability. That is what my colleague is not saying.

Again, no project will be approved here unless the regulators are convinced that the health of the workers and the protection of the environment will be ensured.

[Points of Order, June 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention an incident that occurred during oral question period.

After I answered a question, my colleague opposite, the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, with whom I usually have civilized and cordial exchanges, twice very clearly called me a liar. I do not know why. We often, if not always, disagree; however, we always have interesting and intelligent discussions. He clearly went too far by twice calling me a liar. I am requesting that he apologize to the House or that he immediately withdraw his remarks.

[Quebec Workers, June 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the union itself said that we were very active on this file.

The member wants to talk about the forestry sector. Her party, the Liberal Party, was the one that objected to the softwood lumber agreement that brought no less than $1 billion back to sawmills in this country and will ensure legal stability for years to come.

She says that we do not care about jobs, but she is the one who should be ashamed.

[Shell Canada, June 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we have been extremely active on this file. We are following the matter very closely. Like everyone else, we hope Shell will find a buyer to save the refinery. We feel for the workers and what they are going through, and negotiations are still ongoing. We will follow this matter closely.

[Oil and Gas Industry, June 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague should look at the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act, because that is exactly how the law works; it is not like what is going on in the Gulf of Mexico.

Members must look at the facts and look at what the National Energy Board has done to improve our regulations, which are already solid. The offshore petroleum board, in the east, implemented special measures on May 20, 2010. That is action. Yes, there are emergency plans and backup plans that can be submitted by companies and operators in case of disaster. The regulations are already quite strict. No project will operate until—

[Oil and Gas Industry, June 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, we have a solid liability regime here in Canada. There is absolute liability, and companies must provide guarantees. Every project is subject to very thorough assessment by an independent agency, the National Energy Board. On the east coast, it is the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.

One thing is certain: there will be no drilling projects unless and until these independent agencies are convinced that the environment and the health and safety of workers will be protected.

[Political Party Financing, June 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the answer is simple: Mr. Maturi is not employed by the Conservative Party.

[Political Party Financing, June 8th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague was telling the truth. Mr. Maturi has not been employed by the Conservative Party since October 2009 or even earlier.

[Shell Canada, June 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, just this past weekend, union leaders again indicated that they had the support of all levels of government. Of course we would have liked to see a buyer come forward, but the government cannot invent one. One thing is certain: we feel for the workers and what they are going through in this very difficult situation. I would like to assure this House that we will continue monitoring the situation very closely.