House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 49% of the vote.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2010
Mr. Chair, I would like to thank my colleague for his question. He is very active in his region with respect to bioproducts and bioenergy. The increased use of cleaner, renewable energy is an integral part of our strategy to reduce the release of pollutants into the atmosphere and the production of greenhouse gases in order to help protect our environment. For that reason, we—
Business of Supply May 31st, 2010
Mr. Chair, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for asking such an important question.
The Government of Canada recognizes that a strong nuclear industry brings great economic and environmental benefits to Canadians. However, it also has a responsibility to ensure that the public interest, including health, safety, and the environment, is protected through strong legislation and regulations and that the legal framework is in place to allow nuclear development to proceed efficiently.
Canada's nuclear safety record is second to none in the world. We have a robust technology, a well-trained workforce, and stringent regulatory requirements. The three main pieces of legislation that govern Canada's nuclear industry are the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, and the Nuclear Liability Act. Both the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act are modern pieces of legislation that put Canada at the forefront of nuclear regulation.
Backing up our legislative efforts is a strong nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. The commission operates at arm's length from the government, and its independence is paramount.
With Bill C-15, Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act, we are taking a measured step forward in the comprehensive modernization of Canada's nuclear liability legislation. This legislation will put Canada in line with internationally accepted compensation levels. It clarifies the definition of compensation and the process for claiming it.
The bill is the culmination of years of consultation involving extensive discussions with major stakeholders, including nuclear facilities, the governments of nuclear power generating provinces, and the Nuclear Insurance Association of Canada. It has received broad support.
We look forward to the speedy passage of this legislation through this House.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2010
Mr. Chair, I want to thank the hon. member for his question.
I am pleased to report a number of significant developments relating to carbon capture and storage under the Canada-U.S. clean energy dialogue. A joint CCS working group has been established and is in the process of developing a North American carbon capture and storage atlas. This will detail both the major sources of CO2 emissions and potential CO2 storage reservoirs. This information will help to ensure that future investments in technology are well targeted.
We continue to reinforce and expand the links among researchers in our two countries. We are working with the U.S. to develop and demonstrate CO2 measuring, monitoring, and verification methods. This will help to confirm that CO2 storage is both safe and effective. It will build on the research under way at the successful Weyburn-Midale carbon capture and storage research project in Saskatchewan.
Mindful of the close energy connections between our two countries, we are also working toward developing compatible carbon capture and storage regulations to minimize business barriers and to facilitate possible future cross-border CCS projects.
We have also agreed to hold an annual joint conference on carbon capture and storage to facilitate information sharing on an ongoing basis. In fact, the first conference was held earlier this month in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2010
Mr. Chair, it is essential that all of our investments contribute to Canada's long-term prosperity and environmental well-being. Our eco-energy investments will have long-term benefits. Improving energy efficiency, whether in our homes, buildings or vehicles does not result in a one-time reduction in energy costs, but as savings that will continue year after year. It puts more money in our pockets, reduces costs and increases the competitiveness of business and industry. The emissions reductions will also continue year after year.
Our investment in increasing our supply of renewable energy and renewable fuels is generating economic activity and creating jobs now.
We are also setting the foundation for a new clean energy industry that will provide more jobs and more clean energy for Canada in the future. Our investments in technology are advancing our understanding of exceptionally promising technologies, such as carbon capture and storage technologies that will allow us to minimize the environmental impact of producing and consuming fossil fuels.
This is essential to our long-term energy, economic and environmental security. This is the focus of everything we do as government to position Canada for long-term growth and sustainable prosperity for future generations to come.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2010
Mr. Chair, we are very active in the clean energy dialogue which was set up by the Prime Minister and President Obama. We are very active on that. There is a task force which for the next year will exchange information about CCS, renewable energy—
Business of Supply May 31st, 2010
Mr. Chair, it is unbelievable that a member is standing up who voted against our 2007 budget, the suite of eco-energy. These are big amounts invested. Obviously, the U.S. and China are trying to catch up to us because we are leaders. We have been up front since 2007. We are leaders in renewable energy. We are leaders in CCS. We have clean energy dialogues with our partners.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2010
Mr. Chair, I will not be submitting my application to the hon. member for Kings—Hants to take part in his little quiz.
He seems to be neglecting the fact that since 2006, our government has invested more than $10 billion in clean energy.
This includes $1.48 billion to support the development of new wind, biomass, solar and hydroelectric projects across the country through the eco-energy for renewable power program. We have—
Business of Supply May 31st, 2010
Mr. Chair, I do not know what kind of cross-examination that is, but what I can tell the member is we invested so far $10 billion since 2007 on all forms of clean energy. This says a lot. Also, our investment in the $1.48 billion eco-energy for renewable power initiatives is sharing resources by supporting the production of more wind, biomass, hydro, geothermal, solar and ocean—
Business of Supply May 31st, 2010
Mr. Chair, as I just said clearly, the government has announced that it is phasing out the accelerated capital cost allowance for assets in oil sands projects. Draft income tax regulations to implement the phase-out were released on May 3. This initiative builds on action that Canada has taken in the past to rationalize tax preferences for fossil fuel producers.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2010
Mr. Chair, yes, unlike some other countries, Canada does not have a general policy of subsidizing the price of fossil fuels, which can encourage over-consumption. The government has announced that it is phasing out the accelerated capital cost allowance for assets in the oil sands projects. Draft income tax regulations to implement the phase-out were released on May 3. This initiative builds on actions that Canada has taken in the past to rationalize tax preferences for fossil fuel producers. Discussions among the G20 countries on this issue are ongoing as a part of the G20 process and countries are at different stages of eliminating inefficient subsidies.