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However, relative to collecting on tax debt, I was prompted by the member’s comments about cutting back on staff at CRA. I am wondering if he is familiar with the train of reports we have had since 2006 from the auditor general pointing out that the CRA seemed to have a very poor understanding of where the tax debt was and why it was rising. It was failing to use its risk assessment models properly. The auditor general, for years, has found that CRA staff tends to go after smaller debts, harassing what I think of as regular folks, and leaving aside the millionaires. The large, low-hanging fruit is with the millionaires. Does the hon. member have any comments on the pattern of CRA tax collection?

Peter Julian: Mr. Speaker, that is really one of the major points I hoped to bring forward tonight. That is why the Conservatives have wanted to shut down debate. This is the 44th time now they have invoked closure. They always have another excuse. Tonight it was because people support the bill itself. I guess beyond that, what they are actually saying is they hope that no one brings forward their shoddy record on uncollected tax debt and allowing these tax havens. Of course, even though we are operating under closure, we have no hesitation in bringing forward the shoddy record of the Conservatives.

The reality is, as I pointed out and as was pointed out in the auditor general’s report, the $10 million debts are the ones the Conservatives just seem to let go by, but they go after individual taxpayers to pay their fair share and catch up on monies they owe to Revenue Canada.

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“Any short term energy benefits of nuclear power are far outweighed by the massive and perpetual risks of disaster,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

The Fukushima disaster brought the problems of nuclear energy back into sharp focus last year, causing many countries to rethink their nuclear programs.  Unfortunately, Canada continues to push for more nuclear, and more profits for the uranium industry. 

“Canada should be following the lead of Switzerland and considering how we can phase out our nuclear energy stations. Instead, we are pushing nuclear in China and Korea so that we can export more uranium.  It is irresponsible,” said May.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Harper signed an agreement to increase uranium exports to China. 

 “Nuclear is not an economically sound power source. It is not a clean or green power source. Most importantly, it is not a safe power source,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party.

The Green Party is calling for a full scale and independent review of nuclear safety in Canada.

On April 26th, 1986, the worst nuclear power plant accident in history released a cloud of radioactive contamination, equivalent to 400 times that of the Hiroshima bomb, over large parts of Europe.  The fallout has been linked to at least 9,000 excess cancer deaths, according to the World Health Organization.  In the Ukraine, 2.3 million people are officially reported as “having suffered from the catastrophe.”

“We need to focus on developing renewable energies which really can be economical and safe,” said May.

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