Environment Minister Peter Kent suggests criticism of the budget bill from four former ministers is based on misunderstanding.

Kent told reporters that the four ministers “seem to be” responding to criticism of the changes levelled by environmental groups, rather than to the actual text of the legislation. “We’ll listen to those concerns, we’ll respond to those concerns, but I think some of the reaction has come before full consumption of what the act says and what the act will actually do.” Asked if he was suggesting the four hadn’t read Bill C-38’s habitat provisions, Kent replied: “I’m saying by their remarks they seem not to be familiar with the specifics of the act, yes, and the way the act will be applied.”

Tom Siddon tells Peter O’Neil that he’s read the portions related to fisheries “two or three times” and Peter notes that Mr. Siddon, in his testimony before committee, cited specific clauses of the bill.

The four former ministers—Mr. Siddon, David Anderson, John Fraser and Herb Dhaliwal—have written an open letter to the Prime Minister in this morning’s Globe.