Mr. Bernard Bigras (Rosemont, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

While environmental groups have unanimously condemned the Regina agreement and cited the position taken by Quebec as an example, the president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, for his part, said that it was the best agreement his association could have hoped for.

Will the Prime Minister admit that his position is the best proof that his government has caved in to the petroleum lobby and to its representative, the Reform Party?

Mr. Bernard Bigras (Rosemont, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, considering the weakness of the federal government's position, did the minister at least obtain assurances from the provinces that they will accept to ratify the agreement that will be reached in Kyoto?

Mr. Bernard Bigras (Rosemont, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Environment.

Ever since the Canadian position on greenhouse gases has been raised, the government has repeatedly accused the Reform Party of disregarding environmental matters and of lacking the courage to take a stand on such matters.

After the meeting in Regina, does the federal government realize that it has assumed the Reform Party's position, based on the lowest common denominator?

Mr. Bernard Bigras (Rosemont, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, are we to understand that the federal government is prepared to do anything for money, including violating its own laws?

Mr. Bernard Bigras (Rosemont, BQ)

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.

Yesterday evening, CBC National News announced that the federal government intends to fund the sale of two CANDU reactors to Turkey, to the tune of $1.5 billion, without conducting environmental impact studies.

Can the Prime Minister explain why his government is prepared to circumvent its own legislation for the sole purpose of selling nuclear reactors to Turkey, while here in Ontario, nuclear reactors are being closed down because of the risks to the environment?