Evidence of meeting #16 for Natural Resources in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was study.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:15 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I actually know all of that, because we did have a whole review. I had a specific question about the regulations.
So I actually have other questions—
9:15 a.m.
Director General, Office of Energy Efficiency, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
Okay.
9:15 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
—but I appreciate that.
My next question is on information coming to the public attention that the insurance industry is growing concerned about the insuring of properties that are located near fracking because of the rapid devaluation of those properties—
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Ms. Duncan, I'm just going to remind you of what the study is about. Then if you can tie it in and explain how it fits, that's fine. I'm not going to try to—
9:15 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Sure. This study is about the benefits of the oil and gas sector.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
9:15 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
It's about the benefits of the oil and gas sector, and what the insurance agency is saying is that the expansion of fracking, which is part of the oil and gas sector, is apparently causing the diminishment of property value, and insurers are growing increasingly concerned about that. I'm just asking if the government is looking into that and if they're examining that review that the insurance industry of Canada is looking into.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
So benefits to the insurance industry, then, you're talking about here.
9:15 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
—and not benefits. Disbenefits to property owners who may be—
9:15 a.m.
Director General, Petroleum Resources Branch, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
I'm not aware of the specific study that you're mentioning, but would like to clarify a couple of points in this regard.
Overall regulation of shale gas development in Canada is within provincial jurisdiction. The Government of Canada is obviously committed to supporting the responsible development of all of our resources going forward. We've been working very closely with various regimes and industry in terms of practices and the requirements around shale gas development in Canada.
According to the regulators in western Canada, where most of this activity occurs, there has never been a proven case of contamination related to fracking activities, and these activities have been taking place in western Canada for more than 50 years. We're obviously following developments and interest in this area very closely, and will continue to do so, and work with our provincial colleagues in terms of ensuring—
9:15 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Thanks.
Could I just follow up and ask you this, Mr. Hubbard? It's my understanding that the Government of Canada has commissioned the Royal Society to do a study on fracking. It's been going on two, three years.
Can you tell us when that study is due for release, and will the results be released to the public?
9:15 a.m.
Director General, Petroleum Resources Branch, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
As you mentioned, there is a study that has been commissioned. We anticipate that study will be released in the first half of this year. We don't have a precise timing at this point in time for when that study will be available.
9:20 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
Sorry, could I just come back on the question, too?
9:20 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
Ms. Duncan, we're always looking to bring the evidence base on board and we'll be looking at that study you mentioned, of course, to improve our programming as well.
I just wanted to let you know we do deal directly with landowners, among others, in terms of looking at issues. We'll incorporate that evidence base, so I appreciate your highlighting it.
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Thank you, Ms. Duncan.
Mr. Regan, go ahead for up to eight minutes.
February 27th, 2014 / 9:20 a.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Thank you very much.
Thank you to the witnesses for being here today.
As you understand, the committee has chosen to do a study of the “cross-Canada benefits of developing the oil and gas industries”. Now, I might personally have chosen a different study or a different wording of that, but it may be somewhat obvious to you that the Liberal Party doesn't have a majority on this committee.
But what I'm curious about is if we're doing a study on the benefits of developing the oil and gas industries, as you know, why would you do a presentation dated today on the economic benefits of the Canadian energy industry, in others words, as opposed to only oil and gas? I think it would be great to be examining the whole energy industry, but we're not doing that.
