Debate on Ship Recycling: In the Canadian House of Commons

Debates of Nov. 4th, 2011: Ship Recycling - Oral Questions

Megan Leslie Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, Marine Atlantic sold two ferries on the condition that they would be broken down ethically. Instead, these boats wound up in Alang, India, which is one of the most dangerous shipyards in the world. It is known for its environmental and human rights violations. Last year around 27 workers were killed in the shipyard alone.

We are shipping dangerous asbestos overseas, and we are disposing our waste with no regard for human safety. My question is, how could the government let this happen?

Pierre Poilievre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to supporting Marine Atlantic.

We are investing $500 million to help Marine Atlantic renew its fleet and shore facilities. As a crown corporation, Marine Atlantic is arm's-length from the Government of Canada and is responsible for the management of its own operations.

The disposal of the MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood and MV Caribou was an operational decision made by Marine Atlantic.

Megan Leslie Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, why are we sending our ships to be destroyed in such a hazardous environment when we have some of the world's finest shipyards here in Canada?

The government is literally shipping our jobs overseas, and has no regard for human safety and the environment. We know that the Alang shipyard employs children. We know it breaks up the ships on the beach. These ships are probably filled with asbestos.

This is not the kind of Canada we want. Why is the government letting good jobs leave Canada to be completed in one of the world's deadliest shipyards?

Pierre Poilievre; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, I do not know why the hon. member wants the Government of Canada, politicians, to interfere in the daily operational decisions of Marine Atlantic, which is an arm's-length crown corporation. I do not know if she wants to politicize what should be an arm's-length group.

The disposal of the MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood and the MV Caribou was an operational decision made by Marine Atlantic.

Our government is committed to supporting Marine Atlantic. We are committed to renewing its fleet and its shore facilities. We ask that the NDP finally come around to supporting us in our work on that.

Source: Open Parliament.Ca. 4 November 2011

http://openparliament.ca/hansards/2413/100/only/

http://openparliament.ca/hansards/2413/100/