SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 121

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 31, 2022 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 121 - Oct/31/22
Ms. Kristina Michaud (Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, BQ)
  • Oct/31/22 12:10:56 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-5 
Madam Speaker, the government widely promoted this bill as a modernization of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act that would finally grant people a right to a healthy environment. When the government gave a briefing on its bill, civil servants were asked if the bill would truly give a right to a healthy environment. Their response was simply “no”, that will not be the case. It might happen when legislation is implemented more than two years from now, but for the time being, it will not. Does the member agree with me that it is unfortunate that the Liberal Party is engaging in political marketing with this right to a healthy environment when, in fact, that will not happen when the bill is passed?
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Context: House Hansard - 121 - Oct/31/22
Ms. Marie-Hélène Gaudreau (Laurentides—Labelle, BQ)
  • Oct/31/22 12:24:26 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-5 
Madam Speaker, I enjoyed my colleague's speech. Strengthening environmental protection is a good thing. We are not against virtue. However, based on what my colleague said earlier, I am wondering whether this is just wishful thinking. Is there not something else we could focus on to ensure a healthy environment after this bill is passed? What commitments could the Conservatives make to improve the environment for all of their constituents?
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Context: House Hansard - 121 - Oct/31/22
Mr. Luc Berthold
  • Oct/31/22 4:30:27 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-5 
Madam Speaker, Bill S‑5 recognizes the right to a healthy environment, which the Conservatives fully support. I am from Thetford Mines, where asbestos was produced for about 100 years. For about a century, this industry provided people with a livelihood, which we now know hurt a lot more people on the planet than it helped. Therefore, we were able to recognize that we have to do something. Unfortunately, today, governments do not recognize the liability that exists there. Today, in Thetford Mines, we still live in an environment where there are asbestos mining residues everywhere, and we are asking the government to help us transform our town so we can live in a healthy environment. That is part of what can be done and the specific measures that can be implemented to help us have a healthy environment.
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Context: House Hansard - 121 - Oct/31/22
Mrs. Rachael Thomas
  • Oct/31/22 5:30:53 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-5 
Madam Speaker, basically, the entirety of my speech talked about the provision in the preamble around guaranteeing Canadians the right to a healthy environment. It is in the preamble, which indicates that the government lacks the courage to put it in the bill and be held accountable for that. Perhaps we could start there when it comes to amending this bill.
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Context: House Hansard - 121 - Oct/31/22
Mr. Garnett Genuis
  • Oct/31/22 5:45:33 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-5 
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. In principle, I agree with the idea of a right to a healthy environment. I also mentioned the problem with the designation of plastics as toxic in general. That is not something that is changed by the bill. It is a pre-existing problem regarding the intentions of the current government. As the member suggested, that is both a positive and a negative.
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