Lisa Raitt

[Medical Isotopes, September 16th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the nuclear file, there is just one Liberal mess after another with which we have to deal. The Liberals tried to replace an aging NRU with a faulty design. When that did not work, they did nothing, no contingency plans, no backup plans.

It was this government that acted, and this government continues to clean up the messes left by that party. We will take no lessons from the Liberals on this file.

[Questions on the Order Paper, September 14th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in resonse to (i), there are two separate proposals to build an Alaska Highway pipeline, AHP. Both project proponents are benefiting from single window access into a streamlined regulatory approvals process, either through a re-staffed Northern Pipeline Agency, NPA, or else through the Major Projects Management Office which was created to improve regulatory performance through a more accountable, predictable, transparent and timely regulatory review process for major resource projects. On March 5, 2008, the then Minister of Natural Resources Canada, NRCan, wrote to the Governor of Alaska expressing support for an AHP. NRCan has publicly expressed the government’s support for an AHP at large conferences including the Alaska Resource Development conference in Anchorage, Alaska, in November 2008, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission Conference in May 2008, and the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association’s Annual Dinners in 2008 and 2009. Recognizing the importance of first nation engagement and consultation, the Government of Canada is engaging first nations along the proposed pipeline route. The government has both funded and participated in aboriginal workshops organized by the Alaska Highway Aboriginal Pipeline Coalition, AHAPC. Currently, federal departments including NRCan, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, the NPA and the National Energy Board, NEB, are conducting a series of Yukon and first nation community visits along the Yukon portion of the Alaska Highway to raise awareness and answer questions related to the proposed pipeline.

In response to (ii), since January 2006, NRCan has had several meetings with the proponents for an AHP. Meetings have taken place at all levels from working level through to ministerial. First nations are important stakeholders and the government has been actively meeting with them. To date there have been three aboriginal workshops hosted by the AHAPC, which is a service organization to Yukon first nations along the proposed route. Similar, though smaller meetings, have also taken place in British Columbia. In addition to formal workshops, NRCan has met separately with the chair of the AHAPC. Until recently, NRCan chaired an AHP Director General Steering Committee which met semi-annually to share information with key federal departments. The committee’s most active sub-group was the Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Working Group, EARWG. The EARWG met regularly with provincial government representatives as well.

In response to (iii), many AHP related expenditures have been routine business including preparing briefing material and monitoring project developments. However, NRCan did provide approximately $18,000 toward funding an Aboriginal Pipeline Coalition workshop in 2007. Approximately $3,000 was spent to attend each of the three workshops. Attending the round of community visits currently under way will add additional expenses. NRCan also sent several attendees and speakers for large conferences including the Alaska Resource Development Conference and the Interstate Oil and Gas Commission conference. Such conferences cost approximately $3,000 to $5,000 per person attending, including travel. Finally, NRCan houses the NPA, which has responsibility for the Foothills Alaska pipeline project. However, all NPA’s expenditures are cost recovered from the owner of Foothills, TransCanada Pipelines.

In response to (iv), both the TransCanada and the Denali projects have estimated first gas to start flowing in 2018--best case scenarios.

[Medical Isotopes, June 19th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in this country there is a division of power between those who build and operate nuclear reactors and those who licence them in terms of safety. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission indicated to AECL that this was not a licensable reactor. In fact, in 2001, Ms. Linda Keen, who was the president of the CNSC, indicated that it was an inherently flawed design.

That being said, we understand the issue and we are taking action. We have an expert panel in place that will review the way to ensure Canadians actually get medical isotopes.

[Medical Isotopes, June 19th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as I announced earlier, we have now populated the expert review panel and it is actually going to be taking a look at all the options in order to have a steady, reliable supply of medical isotopes for Canadians in the long-term. We truly understand that this is a very serious concern for all of us in the long-term.

As well, it is important to make a clarification regarding the MAPLEs. Once again I have to stress, that after 12 years, after over half a billion dollars, not a single usable medical isotope was produced, and the reason why is that they could not operate safely.

[Medical Isotopes, June 19th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, on the question that the Leader of the Opposition started off with, I would suggest that he turn to the member sitting at his right hand and ask him that question. The member for Wascana was the Minister of Natural Resources in 2001 when the CNSC admitted it would have to bring out the cement machines to fill in the MAPLEs because it was clear it was an inherently flawed design.

[Medical Isotopes, June 19th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, it is obviously clear that the Leader of the Opposition does see benefit and value to having an expert panel advise on matters because that is what was announced this week on other matters. In this case, our expert panel will examine proposals from across the country on alternative methods of producing medical isotopes over the medium term and long term.

We are very thankful and grateful for the diverse experience and international expertise that these people are bringing to the table. Their advice to the government in moving forward will benefit all Canadians.

[Medical Isotopes, June 19th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the lack of a reliable supply of medical isotopes is a serious situation that the government takes very seriously and is addressing in a global manner. In the long term, it is important for Canadians to have a secure and reliable supply of medical isotopes.

That is why I am very pleased to announce today that Peter Goodhand, president and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society; Dr. Tom Mason, director of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States; Richard Drouin, former chair of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation; and Dr. Eric Turcotte, head of the Molecular Imaging Centre of Sherbrooke have agreed to serve on our expert review panel.

[Forestry Industry, June 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I had great pleasure yesterday in announcing this government's $1 billion program, called the pulp and paper green transformation program.

It makes sense for a lot of reasons. Not only is it rewarding those pulp and paper firms that are using renewable fuels, but it is also providing investment for the future, when we come out of this global recession, so that we are better positioned in order to take advantage of the markets.

Indeed the industry has responded and has indicated that it greatly appreciates the government's strong commitment to the industry and its future.

[Medical Isotopes, June 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in the short term we are doing some very clear things

First, we have indicated to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, very specifically, that its number one priority is to ensure that the reactor is up and running, healthy and safely for the people of Canada, and producing medical isotopes.

Second, we have called upon our friends in the world to step up to the plate, just as we stepped up to the plate, in order to ensure we have a secure supply of medical isotopes going forward.

Third, we are working with the community in order to get the information to the medical community with respect to how much isotopes are available any—

[Medical Isotopes, June 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the lack of a reliable supply of medical isotopes in the world is one of great concern to us and is one of great concern for the health and safety of people all over the world. That is the message I delivered this morning to the international committee dealing with the security of supply issues in the world. I delivered a call to action for the international community, asking it to have the maintenance schedules to be coordinated so we could minimize the shortage as much as possible.

We are working together to ensure the world has the medical isotopes it needs.