Lawrence Cannon

[Marine Transportation, March 12th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, facts are facts. The hon. member is misinforming us.

The federal government ensures there is transportation ten months of the year. We are working on a pilot project. Let him go tell this to his fellow citizens.

[Marine Transportation, March 12th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I sympathize with the people of the Magdalen Islands, as I do with all the Canadians hit with record snowfalls this past weekend, particularly in eastern Canada.

People must understand, however, that the Department of Transport is actively involved in making sure there can be a permanent, year-round link with the Magdalen Islands. As I have already told the mayor, we will be working on the file and the business plan, and will carry out the project next year.

[Railway Safety Act Review Advisory Panel, March 7th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the report of the Railway Safety Act Review Advisory Panel, entitled “Stronger Ties: A Shared Commitment to Railway Safety”.

[The Environment, March 7th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his question. Without a doubt, it is the best question I have heard all day.

It is true that our government has done a great deal—much more than the previous government—in this regard.

I want to remind the members of this House that even before the completion of the review of the Canada Shipping Act, which we reviewed quickly, we took a zero tolerance approach to marine pollution by any ships in Canadian waters. This is a historic first for Canada. As well, in 2006, we introduced regulations—

[Infrastructure, March 5th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, once again, this is a very important project for the greater Quebec City area. All of the conditions were have been met.

I realize that my hon. colleague is trying to compare this project to others, but each project is examined on its own merits. He should know that, having been Quebec's minister of the environment. He is very well aware of that.

This is a very important project for the whole region. We in the government are very happy about it.

[Infrastructure, March 5th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, once again, I believe the member knows a lot about this project because he was Quebec's minister of the environment when the subject was being discussed. He knows that all of the procedures were followed with respect to the Bureau d'audiences publiques and public consultation.

The Government of Quebec supports the project. All of the procedures have been followed to the letter. This is good for the greater Quebec City area and for Canada.

[Marine Transportation, March 5th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, once again, there is no more rigorous or exhaustive process in the world than TERMPOL for assessing this sort of project.

I therefore want to reassure the member and his party that everything has been done to ensure that the project is safe and secure.

[Marine Transportation, March 5th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, in the course of the joint assessment by the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada, we examined the issues raised with respect to navigation and marine safety. Once the TERMPOL process had been completed, 76 recommendations were made, and the parties promised to follow those 76 recommendations. The recommendations are posted on the Internet site that was created for everyone to consult. I invite my colleague to look up this information.

[Trade, March 4th, 2008]

The only guy we're suing is you for your big mouth.

[The Budget, March 3rd, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to answer my colleague's question.

He knows that about four weeks ago, in this House, we passed the bill creating a community development trust. This trust was designed to help the municipalities, the communities, most affected by this worldwide crisis. This crisis is not just being experienced in New Brunswick, Quebec or elsewhere. It is obviously affecting many of our communities.

We created this $1 billion trust, which is allocated based on each province's demographic weight. For example, Quebec will receive $217 million, which will enable the Government of Quebec, as well as the federal government—in a spirit of federalism and openness and not in the spirit of centralization for which the Liberals are well known—to help these communities.

I urge my colleague to listen carefully to what his premier has done, together with the federal government, in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, to resolve this problem.