Speaker: Ms. May
Time: 02/03/2022 15:11:48
Context: Question
Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP): Mr. Speaker, in the last Parliament, Lenore Zann, former member for Cumberland—Colchester, introduced a landmark bill, Bill C-230, to develop a federal strategy for environmental racism and a move toward environmental justice.
The environment committee after widespread support in this place studied the bill and made amendments. I recently had the honour to reintroduce it as Bill C-226 in order to work toward getting the bill passed.
I ask will parliamentarians in the House work together to ensure passage of this important bill and will the government support the bill once again?
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her question and want to also thank Lenore Zann, the former member for Cumberland—Colchester, for her important work on this bill in the previous Parliament. We know that the impacts of climate change are felt more acutely by marginalized and minority groups and the bill would ensure environmental racism is addressed and prevented.
I have mandated the Minister of Environment to develop an environmental justice strategy and our support for the bill is part of our plan to seriously address this issue.