Question Period, 21 November 2011 Part 2 (Parliament of Canada): The Environment

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TRANSCRIPT (from Hansard)

Ms. Megan Leslie (Halifax, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, this week in Bali there is a major conference to discuss protecting the ozone layer. Chances are that Canada will not be able to keep its commitments. Even though scientists have found a huge hole above Canada, cuts are being made to the ozone monitoring program and the minister is refusing to make his intentions clear.

When will the minister present a plan to protect the ozone layer and Canadians?

Hon. Peter Kent (Minister of the Environment, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, again, my colleague asks the hypothetical question with a hypothetical worst outcome. In fact, Environment Canada will continue to monitor ozone. The World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre in Montreal will continue to provide world-class service.

Once again, I make no apologies at all for our government attempting to find the most cost-effective ways to protect the environment.

Ms. Megan Leslie (Halifax, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, when will the government realize that science is real and it cannot actually be spun like a talking point? There is a hole in the ozone over the Arctic, twice the size of Ontario, and action on the ozone is fundamentally necessary right now.

Instead, we learn that senior government officials are signing memos verifying the importance of ozone protection programs in Canada one minute and then justifying Conservative cuts as streamlining and optimization.

When will the government get its act together and realize that streamlining the Department of the Environment hurts all of us?

Hon. Peter Kent (Minister of the Environment, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is quoting a media story which took a particular quote out of context.

As I said, Environment Canada will continue to monitor ozone. Canada has played a leadership role in helping to create and to manage the Montreal protocol which has been very successful over the decades in phasing out nearly all ozone depleting substances. Canada will continue to play a leadership role.

Ms. Kirsty Duncan (Etobicoke North, Lib.):

Mr. Speaker, an access to information request has uncovered a government briefing note titled "Ozone monitoring cuts". The brief says that there is no duplication in the ozone measurement network.

Why then did the assistant deputy minister tell the public the networks will be consolidated and streamlined? Why has the government said that there are no cuts to ozone monitoring when its briefing note reveals the truth?

Hon. Peter Kent (Minister of the Environment, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, I would once again encourage my colleague to use better sources in the research of her questions in the House. The quotation in question was taken out of context. It was taken completely out of context.

Environment Canada will continue to monitor the ozone. As I have said many times before, the World Ozone and Ultraviolet Data Centre will continue to deliver world-class services.

Mr. Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Lib.):

Mr. Speaker, I had prepared a question for the Minister of the Environment about this troubling memo and the contradictions in his responses. These political non-answers lead me to ask a basic question on the minister's knowledge of this important issue.

Could the minister explain to the House what ozone is and what is the difference between its impact at low altitude and high altitude? I just need to know that he understands the issues.

Hon. Peter Kent (Minister of the Environment, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, if there are any shortcomings in this House, it is in the quality of the questions from the Liberal opposition.

This government would gladly compare our record on the environment, in all its dimensions, to--

Mr. Justin Trudeau:

You don't know what ozone is.

The Speaker:

Order. The Minister of the Environment has the floor. We will have a little bit of order.

The hon. Minister of the Environment.

Hon. Peter Kent:

Mr. Speaker, to complete my answer, again, the opposition is using a questionable media source quotation of one of my staff that has been taken out of context.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• SaveEnvironmentCanada
• politics
• QuestionPeriod
• Canada
• environment

[paulfornasier]

Listening to Peter Kend here, he totally deserves to be called a piece of shit. It's a truth that can't be avoided.....a pompous piece of shit...plain and clear.

[suvariboy]

Kent deserves to get more than an epithet hurled at him. Just look at his smug demeanuor.

[5WindsOfVenus]

Basically it's politicians talking out of their asses