Discussion · Government Orders
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Québécois
“This bill gives cabinet the power to approve projects based on whatever it wants. The environmental studies will not matter. Projects in Chaleur Bay could move ahead without protecting fish habitats, and I want to protect the fishers in my riding.”
“Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, who represents a riding next to mine, for his well-researched question. Environmental assessments will have to be done beforehand, but it is up to cabinet to designate a region as being of national interest. The legislation says it may do so based on whatever factors it considers useful or relevant. A token assessment will be done beforehand, but ultimately, cabinet will act as it sees fit in determining what is in the national interest and what a region of national interest is. What is likely to happen is that projects, perhaps situated between our two ridings in our magnificent Chaleur Bay, could move forward with no consideration of the impact on fish habitat. As everyone knows, industrial development projects are in the works for Belledune. There are fishers in my riding, and I want to protect them.”
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, who represents a riding next to mine, for his well-researched question. Environmental assessments will have to be done beforehand, but it is up to cabinet to designate a region as being of national interest. The legislation says it may do so based on whatever factors it considers useful or relevant. A token assessment will be done beforehand, but ultimately, cabinet will act as it sees fit in determining what is in the national interest and what a region of national interest is. What is likely to happen is that projects, perhaps situated between our two ridings in our magnificent Chaleur Bay, could move forward with no consideration of the impact on fish habitat. As everyone knows, industrial development projects are in the works for Belledune. There are fishers in my riding, and I want to protect them.