Michelle Rempel

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2012]

Mr. Chair, my colleague's excellent question shows how government can work with local organizations whose members understand the community and help support initiatives on the ground that make impactful, significant support for our environment changes on an ongoing basis.

My colleague talked about organizations which we partner with, including Ducks Unlimited. We have heard from Ducks Unlimited in committee several times over the last few weeks, with regard to the development of a national conservation plan. There is the NCC. These are all groups, including our fisher and angler communities, that work to preserve the landscape in a working landscape concept. This means they understand the principle of using land for productivity, while ensuring conservation.

Some of the things we have done to support meaningful environmental protection in our country since 2006, which my colleagues have voted against, include: nearly $200 million to help address the health and environmental risks posed by dangerous chemicals through the chemical management plan; $100 million to support clean energy generation in Canada's forest sector through the next generation renewable power initiative; $97 million to develop and promote clean energy technologies; and $86 million to support clean energy actions, this year. I hope they will support those in the future.

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2012]

Mr. Chair, I had the opportunity of being at Lake Simcoe this year to announce further funding for the protection of this great region. Lake Simcoe has an enormous impact on the regional economy. We have several members of our government who are keenly interested in ensuring that this water basin maintains its health. To support that, the Government of Canada's $30 million Lake Simcoe cleanup fund has supported initiatives designed to preserve and protect the environment of Lake Simcoe, supporting 160 local projects since 2008 and leveraging another 600 restoration projects with third party agreements. This means that local community groups are working with government to partner and ensure the health of this ecosystem. However, the NDP voted against this funding as well.

Through the Lake Winnipeg basin initiative, Canada committed $17.7 million over four years, from 2008 to 2012, to clean up Lake Winnipeg, aiming to reduce blue-green algae blooms, ensure fewer beach closings, keep in place a sustainable fishery, provide a clean lake for recreation and restore the ecological integrity of the lake.

Again, we are recognizing a problem that is happening in one of our water basins, investing to support it, working with community groups to come up with real action, but the NDP voted against that.

[Business of Supply, May 15th, 2012]

Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague from Dauphin—Swan River—Marquette who really cares about Canada's environment. He does a great job on the environment committee. He is a great superstar for our team.

With regard to Canada's Great Lakes, we have invested millions of dollars to protecting Canada's water over the last years including, for example: $48 million to accelerate the remediation of contaminated sediments in Great Lakes areas of concern under the clean water action plan, and I am not sure my colleagues opposite voted for that; $8 million per year on an ongoing basis to support the remediation of the area of concerns under the Great Lake action plan in budget 2010, and I am not sure if my colleagues across the way voted for that either; $16 million to address the recurrence of toxic nuisance algae in the Great Lakes with a particular focus on Lake Erie in budget 2011, and they did not vote for that either; and over $330 million between 2005 and 2010 to enhance municipal waste water treatment infrastructure within the basin.

These are important measures that result in tangible environmental outcomes, as my colleague has so succinctly said.

[Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act, May 10th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I will read a quote:

In the face of tough fiscal choices, the government showed leadership by continuing its investments in research, innovation, research infrastructure and university-private sector collaborations. These investments will build a stronger future for our society and economy.

This was said by Stephen Toope, the chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada as well as the president of the University of British Columbia.

I share this view. I have a past history working with research administration, and especially our investments in the Canada Foundation for Innovation. I would like to hear from my colleague how he feels that investments in CFI will continue to ensure the development of highly qualified personnel and the continued growth of our economy.

[Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act, May 10th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague spoke of the ability for Canada to enact these changes for sustainability in our old age pension system over a longer period of time because of Canada's relative economic strength. Some of the measures our government has taken over the last six years, including the competitive corporate tax rate, have ensured that economic sustainability leads to this long-term planning ability.

Would my colleague explain some of the measures in budget 2012 that will ensure Canada's long-term prosperity?

[Points of Order, May 4th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, to respond to my colleague's point, perhaps he should be more careful when he questions where the backbenchers are on a Friday.

[The Environment, May 4th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, in a survey commissioned by Ipsos Reid, two-thirds of Canadians agreed that it is possible to increase oil and gas production while protecting the environment, at the same time. Balance between protecting the environment and creating economic growth is a principle the NDP is absolutely not conscious of.

With our budget bill this year, we are going to ensure one project, one review: streamlined environmental assessments. We also increased funding to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. I encourage my colleague opposite to read the budget.

[National Parks, May 4th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, our government is committed to ensuring that our parks are well promoted and well visited. They are part of Canada's national brand. They are respected around the world. What we have put forward in the budget will ensure that the parks are well staffed during peak seasons for years to come.

[National Parks, May 4th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, I believe it is unparliamentary to talk about where backbenchers are, so I will not mention where the backbenchers are in the Liberal Party today.

I believe that our parks system will continue—

[National Parks, May 4th, 2012]

Madam Speaker, I would remind my colleague opposite that his government did not protect as much park space as we have done in the last six years. There are 150,000 square kilometres of parkland protected under our government.

Furthermore, we provide support to Canada's parks through things like the My Parks Pass system, and tourism support systems for marketing and promotion. We are going to ensure that front-line services continue to be provided in a very robust way during peak times. I certainly hope my colleague opposite will support these measures.