Ontario Hansard - 30-November2009

Mr. Peter Tabuns: The question is for the Acting Premier. The Pickering nuclear power plant is the oldest in Canada. Two and a half million people live within 30 kilometres of the plant. No reactor today would be built this close to so many people.

In the case of a nuclear accident, the federal government is proposing to cap liability for nuclear plant operators at $650 million. Is the McGuinty government satisfied that $650 million is sufficient to compensate two and a half million people should there be an accident at the Pickering plant?

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: It's no surprise that the minister didn't answer the question. He talked about safety but did not talk about risk.

Frankly, Minister, the reason that nuclear plant operators want to limit liability is because they understand the scale of risk that they would incur if something went wrong.

Is this government prepared to support the NDP in calling for a move on that liability cap to international standards?