44th Parl. 1st Sess.
September 27, 2022 10:00AM
- Sep/27/22 2:30:40 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I spoke with Mayor Savage from Halifax earlier today about the devastation of hurricane Fiona impacting the Atlantic region. So many people lost power and so many people lost cell service. In fact, many people lost cell service because telecommunication companies are not putting in place the right infrastructure to be prepared for extreme weather.
When will the government force those companies, which are fully regulated by the federal government, to put in place the necessary infrastructure so that families do not get disconnected ever again?
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- Sep/27/22 2:31:56 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, because of the climate crisis, extreme climate events are becoming more common. The experts are clear: If telecommunications companies do not build solid infrastructure, people will continue to lose their cell service.
When will this government force these businesses to do what it takes to prevent people from losing their cell service in future?
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- Sep/27/22 2:36:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to express my shock after seeing the images in Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec. My thoughts are with the families still struggling in those areas.
I would like to assure the member that DFO has already inspected 80 small craft harbours. We are on the ground, we are there for Canadians and we are there for fish harvesters. We are committed to rebuilding and renewing this infrastructure so they can do their jobs out in the fisheries.
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- Sep/27/22 2:39:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, following hurricane Fiona, which hammered the Magdalen Islands and Atlantic Canada, it is now time for action. Extremely violent winds and rain have left behind incredible damage: flooded buildings, impassable roads, ports and boats destroyed. I know that the residents of the Magdalen Islands are resilient and are helping each other admirably.
Will the government make sure that any infrastructure under federal jurisdiction that was seriously damaged is quickly repaired so as to be accessible?
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- Sep/27/22 2:39:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes.
The government of Canada will always be there to rebuild better any infrastructure it is responsible for. Furthermore, we will work with stakeholders, the fishing industry, the provinces and municipalities to make sure we go even further and rebuild public and economic infrastructures essential to these communities, including in the Magdalen Islands and across Atlantic Canada.
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- Sep/27/22 4:13:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for bringing that up. Quebec has an incredible system, the cap-and-trade system.
It was actually Ontario, under the leadership of an environment minister with my last name, that went to California back in 2006-07. They negotiated that deal with California to put California, Quebec and Ontario in that agreement. Unfortunately, it was the first thing that Doug Ford threw out when he got into government.
I also want to commend the member for the initiative. He brought up my electric car and travelling through Quebec. Quebec has by far the best electric charging infrastructure in the country. It is light years ahead of many of the other provinces. We will see that Quebec will win the game as it comes down to it.
He asked a question about what to do between the various provinces and pipelines. I am personally not in favour of purchasing pipelines. I have made that case known. I have said it in this House before, and I stand by that position today. It is unfortunately one of the areas that I depart from some of my colleagues on, but I respect everybody's position on it, and that is my position.
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