House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 34% of the vote.
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.
Environment November 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, in handling all these transactions the government is confident that we have followed all appropriate rules and regulations both in our country and internationally in countries that are potential purchasers of Candu reactors.
There are certain matters that certain parties have referred to the courts for litigation. Obviously we will await the results of that litigation to see what the courts might say.
Devco November 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I am sure the hon. member shares the sentiment expressed by the union, by the Government of Nova Scotia and by our government to have success stories related to Devco.
The special examination is part of the process to try to ensure that the corporation is operating in a correct and proper basis. The study is being conducted by the auditor general. When the report is prepared, it will be handled in the appropriate way according to law. I will take the hon. member's request under advisement.
Nuclear Reactors November 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, as I have already said, if and when AECL is successful in its bid and if and when it is successful in negotiating a contract subsequent to that bid, it will of course comply with all applicable Canadian standards and all applicable Turkish laws. Environmental specifications were a part of the bidding process imposed by Turkey.
In addition to that, AECL, as a matter of policy, has an environmental examination process that is built into every one of its projects.