Statement made on 16 December 2011 by Senator Elizabeth Hubley
Hon. Elizabeth Hubley:
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government.
The federal Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Scott Vaughan, released his annual report on Wednesday, which contained his findings on Environment Canada's monitoring of the transport of dangerous goods and substances. Mr. Vaughan found that the government failed to monitor and enforce its own regulations regarding the oversight of the transport of dangerous goods as well as the operation of gas pipelines, which, in some cases, are 40 to 60 years old.
He also warned Canadians that their public safety was increasingly at risk as a result of this ineffective enforcement and poor management. Mr. Vaughan said yesterday:
Canadians would certainly be better protected if these regulations were enforced correctly. They are there for a reason. They are to protect Canadians from exposure to hazardous materials.
These findings are particularly troubling at a time when Environment Canada is very much aware that it could be facing deeper cuts in the months to come.
Can the leader assure us today that her government will immediately commit the resources necessary to ensure the proper enforcement of these regulations, starting today?
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