Worth Repeating

House of Commons, October 17, 2011
Questiod Period - Oral Questions
Subject: The Environment  
...
 
Ms. Megan Leslie (Halifax, NDP):  
    
Mr. Speaker, RCEN is a network of 640 environmental organizations in Canada. For the past 30 years, the network has been facilitating and supporting the work of Environment Canada. Last May, Environment Canada confirmed that funding for the network's operations would be maintained. Confirmation of the funds was to follow. After months of waiting, the network learned on Friday that its funding would be cut. Why did the minister withdraw RCEN's funding?
 

Ms. Michelle Rempel (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, CPC):  

Mr. Speaker, the government has decided not to enter into a contribution agreement with the Canadian Environmental Network this year. Responsible spending and sound management of tax dollars are important at all times. The department is moving toward a more direct use of web-based consultation and we already have a number of web pages dedicated to public participation.
 
Ms. Megan Leslie (Halifax, NDP):  

What the Conservatives are doing, Mr. Speaker, is stifling dissent. They are muzzling or firing scientists and now they are eviscerating the communications network of environmental groups across Canada. The minister claims that it is a rigorous process to manage spending, but while he was cutting half a million dollars from Canadian environmental groups, the government announced $28 million to celebrate the War of 1812. Well, this just in, the real war is the war the government is waging on the environment. When will the minister do the right thing and restore this funding?
 
Ms. Michelle Rempel (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, CPC):  

Mr. Speaker, since 2006, our government has announced several important climate change and environmental protection initiatives. In the past year, we have announced several transportation regulations that are involved with our U.S. counterparts. I am happy to compare our record any day against the previous government which did nothing but announce intentions.

Transcript online here.
 

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