Discussion · Government Orders
Elizabeth May Green
“I oppose this bill. It gives the Prime Minister and cabinet special powers to ignore environmental laws forever, instead of ending after five years. The Liberals used to warn that another government could abuse these exact powers.”
“Mr. Speaker, I completely agree with my colleague from the Bloc Québécois. I would add that the word “hypocrisy” may actually be a little too kind. There is one thing that troubles me. During last year’s debates, Liberal members argued that the five-year sunset clause could be problematic because a future Conservative government might use these extraordinary powers improperly. At the time, the bill contained a provision that would have limited those powers to five years. Under this bill, however, these powers would remain in the hands of the Prime Minister and cabinet indefinitely, regardless of which party forms government.”
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Mr. Speaker, I completely agree with my colleague from the Bloc Québécois. I would add that the word “hypocrisy” may actually be a little too kind. There is one thing that troubles me. During last year’s debates, Liberal members argued that the five-year sunset clause could be problematic because a future Conservative government might use these extraordinary powers improperly. At the time, the bill contained a provision that would have limited those powers to five years. Under this bill, however, these powers would remain in the hands of the Prime Minister and cabinet indefinitely, regardless of which party forms government.