Natural Resources committee  Earlier Ms. Brunelle said that her constituents were concerned. Another member also said that his were concerned. They're concerned because not all the information on this shipment was provided. Citizens don't have a genuine understanding of this entire process, of this entire project, as it relates to the management of nuclear materials.

Natural Resources committee  The answer is no. I believe that, as responsible communities, we have a right to ask questions. Reference was also made to management. That subject has been addressed on a number of occasions by the mayors who belong to management. We adopted our position based on the information obtained by each of us and on that forwarded by the commission, not under pressure from anyone.

Natural Resources committee  That's one of our major concerns. As I said earlier, when I made my presentation, the information started spreading and the communication started to be established once questions were raised. I believe that all the consultation work should have been done before the process was triggered so that we could follow the development of this project rather than find ourselves in the situation we're currently in.

Natural Resources committee  With your permission, I'd like to go back to the policy idea. There's no nuclear waste management policy in Canada. I believe that, with regard to sustainable development, it is the responsibility of the producers of that waste in Canada to put in place the necessary tools to manage, within our borders, the waste we produce rather than ship it elsewhere.

Natural Resources committee  In fact, the information started to be made public and we were able to review all the details of the project after the announcement was made, after citizens rose up or raised their hands to say that this would cause a problem and to ask how it would be possible to manage it. There's a lack of information, but it's starting to be given to us.

Natural Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Distinguished members of the natural resources committee, my name is Denis Lapointe, and I am the mayor of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, a town in Quebec, and chair of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative. I am also chair of the environmental policy committee of the Union of Quebec Municipalities.