At the end of the day, being the Leader of the Government in the Senate doesn’t pay much. Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Today I want to talk to you about a very big problem with the dry-waste management site operated by G&R Recyclage, on land belonging to the federal government in Oka, on the territory administered by the Kanesatake band council. The band council allowed this company to use this land and the company was given permission to operate a dry materials sorting centre by Quebec’s Ministry of Sustainable Development in 2015.

However, in the time that this company has been operating on federal government land, it has had a number of violations, including burying unauthorized materials such as asphalt shingles, gypsum, wood, plastic, metal, glass, cardboard and mattresses. Furthermore, some have noted a resurgence of smelly black water flowing into the surrounding area. Samples of the water tested above a number of standards and criteria, which means that it could be harmful to humans and to the environment.

The company has received a number of notices of violation, and Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment recently ordered the company to correct these numerous violations.

My question for the Leader of the Government in the Senate is as follows: Elected municipal officials in Oka, Saint-Placide and Mirabel asked the federal government in March to ensure the restoration of the land occupied by G&R Recyclage in order to protect the health and well-being of residents and neighbouring communities and prevent an environmental disaster. What has the federal government done to date to respond to this very legitimate request from the municipalities?