Mr. Speaker, if I understood the question correctly, it was whether the government is being irresponsible. The answer is no.
House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
Candu Reactors November 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, if I understood the question correctly, it was whether the government is being irresponsible. The answer is no.
Candu Reactors November 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I have said this before and I will repeat it. A Candu plant, in order to be built either in Canada or anywhere in the world, must be licensable according to Canadian standards which are established by the Atomic Energy Control Board. As the hon. member will know, those standards are very stringent.
In addition to that, every Candu facility must comply with all the safety regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Candu has an exceptional record in complying with those rules and regulations everywhere in the world.
In addition to that, AECL ensures nuclear safety in all technical aspects of reactor siting, design, construction, commissioning—
The Environment November 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, obviously the Government of Canada is not taking the position the hon. gentleman alleges.
In all these transactions we have followed the rules that we believe to be applicable. If others have a different point of view they are free to challenge that procedure in the courts, as some have, and the courts will rule in due course.
We are satisfied with our legal position and are confident that position is the correct one.
The Environment November 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, given the unctuous admonitions of the Reform Party, I really must point out that the very law it is holding up waving with great fanfare today is the very law that it voted against in the House of Commons when it had the opportunity.
The government of Canada is following all applicable rules and regulations. We are confident of our position. Some others have proceeded with a court proceeding. We will see the results of that court proceeding in due course.
The Environment November 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the attachment to the letter was the fulfilment of a commitment that the Minister of the Environment made to keep all her counterparts fully apprised of the various positions or potential positions being taken by various countries around the world.
She also made the commitment, as have I, that we would work very hard with the provinces in the development of the Canadian position. We are trying to be inclusive rather than unilateral. Perhaps that approach will have more success in Kyoto than the approach taken by the hon. gentleman—
The Environment November 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I and my colleague, the Minister of the Environment, have had extensive discussions with our counterparts. Those discussions are ongoing.
I am told that the tradition with respect to provincial involvement in international delegations is one or two representatives of the provinces who then report back to the full group collectively. We have decided that in this case it would be useful to expand that to three. The provinces may make additional requests. We will consider that matter when we meet with all of them next week in Regina.
Environment November 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I am sure the tens of thousands of employees across Canada involved in working in connection with the Candu technology will be very interested in the hon. lady's condemnation of them.
In fact Candu complies with every rule and regulation of the Atomic Energy Control Board and every rule and regulation of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Candu has an exceptional record of technical performance everywhere that it has been established either in this country or around the world.
Environment November 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, at least part of the proof is in the record of Candu internationally so far, which is recognized as one of the world's leading technologies with respect to the generation of nuclear power.
The hon. lady should know that in developing any of these facilities, whether they are in Canada or anywhere else in the world, they must be licensable according to Canadian standards as established by the Atomic Energy Control Board. They must meet and they do meet every nuclear safety regulation established by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Environment November 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, everything that is required according to law to be released is released. If there are further matters that are subsequently dealt with by the courts, of course those court judgments will be followed.
In the meantime, the hon. gentleman should understand that Candu and AECL are involved in commercially competitive situations. I am sure the hon. gentleman would not want to expose a major Canadian corporation to a competitive disadvantage internationally as long as that corporation is following all the relevant rules and regulations, which it is.
Environment November 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman should have a research department that extends beyond monitoring CBC news. What was quoted on the news last night was 15 or 20 seconds out of perhaps a 20 minute or half an hour interview.
The hon. member might be interested in AECL's position. It will be issuing a statement later today that will demonstrate complete consistency with what I said yesterday.