Mr. Speaker, I have been sitting here listening to the Bloc Québécois, the NDP and the Green Party spread anti-nuclear energy propaganda, attacking an industry that is part of my community and that means jobs and energy in my community. I am very happy to stand here and correct the record. Durham is home to the Darlington nuclear facility. We are home to members of the Power Workers' Union and UA Local 401, the hard-working men and women who put their time and energy into powering our region and powering our province. To sit here and listen to the Bloc Québécois and their buddies in the other parties spread anti-nuclear messaging is mind-blowing.

They go to great lengths to promote a conflict between economic growth and environmental stewardship. We would think they would respect an industry proving that those two things are not at odds with one another. In fact, we are proving, locally in Durham and in the nuclear industry across Canada, that we can pursue economic growth and environmental stewardship hand in hand. Instead of appreciating that and celebrating the hard-working men and women who make that possible, we are getting slander from the other parties of the House.

Let me be very clear. The Bloc Québécois has, through its dissenting report, tried to couch this as some sort of generational issue. I will quote from its introductory paragraph: “The Canadian governance of radioactive waste raises important issues that will have a significant impact on future generations.” Let us talk about those future generations. Let us talk about the young people in our country right now who are proving that we can pursue economic growth and environmental stewardship hand in hand.

I would like to share what someone from the North American Young Generation in Nuclear said, a constituent of mine, Matthew Mairinger. He said very clearly that nuclear energy has the lowest CO2 emissions by energy source and the highest capacity factor, operates 24-7, has among the lowest land footprints per energy produced and provides well-paying, stable careers for those in the community. As a young professional supporting nuclear energy, he feels it is one of the best ways he is helping society move forward.

This is from a young man who works in the nuclear energy industry, but he is far from alone. The data shows that the nuclear industry generates over $2 billion in labour income and $2.5 billion in direct and secondary economic activity annually in this country. The sector also contributes $1.5 billion in tax revenue to federal and provincial governments, accounting for approximately 89,000 jobs nationwide. This goes back to the young people of this country.

Do members know that around 40% of the workers in the nuclear industry are under the age of 40? This is a young industry made up of hard-working people who believe that economic growth and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. That is why it is very important that we stand for this industry, not just because of my local economy in Durham, but because of what these young people are doing for the country as a whole.

When Bloc Québécois members say they are very concerned about future generations, pretending that this is some generational battle, they are not looking at the math, they are not looking at the facts and there are not looking at the stats, which show that this industry is creating opportunity for young men and women all across our country.

I would like to continue with some additional points about the environmental impact of the nuclear industry. Over 180 private sector suppliers, 95% of which are based in Canada, benefit from international nuclear projects that utilize Canadian intellectual property and manufactured goods. All the concerns that Bloc members are pretending to have about the environment are easily dismissed when we factor in the worldwide effect of Canadian energy. That is not just nuclear, but in this case, we are going to emphasize nuclear.

We are making it easier for countries all around the world to displace high-emission sources of energy with clean Canadian energy. The Bloc wants to pit nuclear against other forms of energy as if we are all competing. The reality is that the menu of options that Canada can give the world so it can have cleaner energy sources is incredible.

I want to emphasize once again that the hard-working men and women in the nuclear industry, including in my home community of Durham, deserve strong advocacy at the federal level. They deserve a strong voice shining a light on all the wonderful work they are doing every day, including to power places like where we stand right now.

I strongly and very clearly would like to oppose the anti-nuclear energy propaganda the House has been hearing over the last several hours. It is ill-informed and it is misrepresenting what is best for our country and what is best for the young people who, again, believe very strongly in pursuing economic growth and environmental stewardship hand in hand.

Jamil Jivani

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