Disappointingly, on day 1 of the new House of Commons session Conservative MPs wasted no time before using the daily ‘Standing Order 31′ Statement to attack opposition members. Read below MP Harris’ attack on a position I am proud to hold.
The truth is that the Conservative government itself maintains the long-term policy excluding all Alaskan oil tanker traffic from the inland waters of the Pacific Northwest coast – a tanker ban. Why? Because the risk of a catastrophic oil spill is real. If American oil supertankers pose a risk, so would Chinese, Canadian or another country’s oil supertankers traversing the waters around Haida Gwaii.
– Joyce
Mr. Richard Harris (Cariboo—Prince George, CPC): “Mr. Speaker, the interim Liberal leader has joined the MP for Vancouver Quadra in calling for a job-killing tanker traffic ban off the B.C. coast.
Let us be clear. There is no ban now, nor will there be a ban on tanker traffic under our Conservative government. We oppose the implementation of a reckless job-killing ban on B.C. tanker traffic.
During the past five years, over 1,300 tankers arrived at the Port of Vancouver and nearly 200 at the ports of Prince Rupert and Kitimat. They all did so safely.
Our government will continue to enforce strong environmental and safety standards right across this country, including tanker traffic.
Our government’s top priority remains the economy and creating jobs. The Liberals and the NDP want to kill job opportunities for Canadian families. However, the Conservatives want to create jobs for Canadians and their families.”
