Pablo Rodriguez

[Canada-EU Summit, November 6th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of Industry appointed Dr. Christopher Essex to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Last April, Mr. Essex sent a letter to the Prime Minister to tell him that allocating funding to research on climate change would be senseless. He will now sit on the council of an agency that distributes nearly $900 million to Canadian university researchers.

Can the Prime Minister assure us that Mr. Essex will not use his new position to eliminate subsidies for researchers who do not think the way he does?

[The Environment, October 31st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, I discussed the impact of climate change on public health, melting ice caps in the far north, and coastal flooding—in short, on the future of our children and grandchildren. The Conservatives mocked me.

Yesterday, Nicholas Stern, a former economist with the World Bank, talked about these same consequences, but in terms of numbers, of financial impact.

The government may not care about what will happen to human beings, but will it at least pay attention to the economic impact of the impending catastrophe?

[The Environment, October 31st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, in June, the Minister of the Environment said she was “enthusiastic” about Quebec's environmental plan to fight climate change.

Yesterday, she contradicted herself, saying she was “concerned” to justify her refusal to hand over the $328 million Quebec is demanding.

Quebeckers want action now, not in 2050. Instead of criticizing Quebec's plan, which set realistic short-term goals, why not hand over Quebec's $328 million immediately?

[The Environment, October 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, that is not action, it is nothing but hot air.

The government has shown that it hates democracy as much as it hates the Kyoto protocol. Yesterday morning, the Conservative members systematically blocked the work of the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development. Shortly thereafter, the Minister of the Environment said that the government would stop these anti-democratic procedures if we agreed to vote in favour of its hot air bill on the environment.

It is blackmail and only the weak resort to blackmail. Those who use blackmail lack courage and a valid argument.

This House and Canadians are in favour of the Kyoto protocol and blackmail will not change that.

[The Environment, October 27th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, all sectors of Quebec society came together as one to call on the federal government to respect the Kyoto protocol. Quebec's environment minister, Claude Béchard, asked yet again that the Government of Canada give Quebec the $328 million it was promised. The response was: not one red cent for Quebec. Conversely, Ontario will receive the $540 million it was promised, and rightfully so.

Why this double standard? The Government of Quebec wants to achieve its Kyoto objectives. Is that why the federal government wants to punish it in this way?

[The Environment, October 26th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this is the first time I have received a decent answer to my question.

The party on the extreme right has just reached a new all-time low. This morning, the Conservative members of the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development filibustered. They trampled the will of this House. They turned their backs on democracy. It is altogether petty, cheap and immoral.

After abandoning Kyoto, after ruining our reputation internationally, after proving that he does not care about future generations, the Prime Minister has shown again today that he detests democracy as much as he detests Kyoto. Why?

[The Environment, October 26th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this morning, Conservative members ground to a halt the work of the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development.

The Prime Minister is trying to act as though he had a majority. When the opposition calls him to order, he throws a temper tantrum like a spoiled child, and he sulks.

When he was opposition leader, the Prime Minister said it is Parliament that leads this country, not just the party that has the most seats. He was in favour of democracy at the time and showed at little judgment.

Can the acting chair of the committee assure this House that the committee agenda will allow for fair and responsible work on my bill on Kyoto?

[The Environment, October 24th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, today's edition of the French newspaper Le Monde refers to “Canada's surrender”. It mentions that “—Canada, a former leader in environmental issues, now cuts a sorry figure”.

The minister is being attacked on all fronts. The Quebec government is furious and feels betrayed. Environmental groups and top scientists are losing hope in the face of so much irresponsibility. And now, the international press is coming down on Canada.

I am sad to say the minister must be feeling very lonely. Apart from George Bush, does she have any friends left?

[The Environment, October 24th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, last Thursday, while the Minister of Transport was battling the Quebec government about the Kyoto protocol, his colleague, the Minister of the Environment, obtained a perfect score, if her aim was to be criticized by absolutely everyone.

Today's edition of the French newspaper Le Monde criticizes the government for caving in to George Bush. This is becoming embarrassing. The comments on her plan range from “bad” to “very bad” and even “rotten”.

Which of these descriptions does the minister like best for her plan?

[The Environment, October 23rd, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, last May, the Minister of the Environment said she was prepared to provide financial assistance so that Quebec could achieve its Kyoto objectives. Since then, the Prime Minister, who is allergic to Kyoto, has decided otherwise. Quebec will not get one red cent.

Instead of standing up to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and his colleagues from Quebec are simply being doormats.

How could he agree, on the very day of the tribute to Robert Bourassa, to go to Quebec City to criticize the Charest government?

Who is he to put Quebec in its place?