Canadian Heritage Committee on Jan. 31st, 2012

[Marie Lemay]

Maybe I could respond to this.

Before I go to the private partnerships, I will first say that we are a complex region, with several municipalities and the NCC. We're trying to look at a regional approach, so we are engaging with the mayors of the two large cities, Ottawa and Gatineau, on one front. They will have their own projects that they're working on that are very exciting. We are also chairing a group of federal partners, so we're looking at the federal component as well.

What we are looking at doing is something we've done at a number of events we were involved in, including the Junos and other events, where we create what we called the “host committee” at the time. That means bringing together partners; that's when we can have the key private players involved in the organization. We intend to do that early on, and not to wait until we're halfway through the planning.

These are some of the thoughts that we have as to how to engage the partners at that level. As we said earlier, we do—on a daily basis and in everything that we do—now engage the private sector. That's the way we found that we're able to maximize our federal dollars and to have a better offer at the end of the day. It's been very successful.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Thank you, Mr. Gill.

We will now go to Madame Boutin-Sweet.

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

Good day. Thank you for being here today.

My question is for Mr. Mills.

Part of your mission includes land use and conservation plans. Ms. Lemay was saying earlier that Canadians want the capital to be, among other things, more ecological, and they want it to be a model for the entire country. I read some of the things you said recently concerning the greenbelt around Ottawa.

How could the capital stand out as an environmental leader, in the context of the celebrations of our 150th anniversary? Do you have any projects in this regard?

[Russell Mills]

I can answer to some of that, but I'll also ask Marie to deal with that.

Over the last few years, the NCC has tried to be a leader in environmental movement by working toward being carbon-neutral in our festivities and by eliminating waste from these huge gatherings that we have in the city. Also, the NCC is the largest holder of land in the national capital region, with Gatineau Park and the greenbelt, as you mentioned. We try to use those areas to show advanced protection of sustainability and of the environment.

I would see us increasing that during the course of the celebration of the 150th because the focus would be more on the capital.

Marie, could you add to this?

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

But more specifically, do you have any particular projects? Have you begun to think about this?

[Marie Lemay]

Yes. Our environmental strategy was put in place in 2009. I believe it extends to 2017. The important years for us were 2012 and 2013. The strategy includes five areas of action.

As Mr. Mills was saying, our events are now carbon neutral. Our events this year include Canada Day, Winterlude, the Rideau Canal and the Fall Rhapsody Program. There is also the matter of waste at the landfill site. If I remember correctly, our target was 70% and we are now at 50%. So, on several levels, we have the best practices. We also do green demolition, for instance.

We now have an integrated approach. We should not forget the aspect Mr. Mills emphasized, that is to say in places such as Gatineau Park, where we have a master plan that puts environmental needs above recreational objectives. All of our efforts in the park will be ongoing.

We have charted our environmental strategy from now until the year 2017, and we are going to stay the course.

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

How do you communicate that to the public? Is the public aware of all that?

[Marie Lemay]

This is done when the public attends Canada Day celebrations, for instance. I think we were among the first to have water stations where people were invited to bring their bottles. Unfortunately, I don't have the figures here with me, but we eliminated an incredible number of bottles.

We also called on the services of many volunteers, and without them we would not be able to hold all of these events. The volunteers help us with diversion, recycling, etc.

I should also mention bicycles. We have parking areas for people who want to come on their bicycles. And so we do this type of promotion through our events.

I believe that with regard to parks for instance, whether it be Gatineau Park or the greenbelt, our position is very well known.

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

I have another question for the NCC representatives. I am a francophone and since the elections, I come to Ottawa more often. When I go to restaurants, for instance, I am rarely spoken to in French, and rarely am I understood. I know that the NCC is very active in this regard, but how could you encourage greater use of French, and enhance real bilingualism in the national capital?

[Marie Lemay]

Of course, that aspect is very important to us. We have all sorts of partnerships, for instance with the Regroupement des gens d'affaires. In addition, we can have a great deal of influence on our tenants. Our leases clearly spell out that services must be offered in both languages. There has to be a follow-up.

This aspect of things is very important to us. When you work at the NCC, you don't know which language you are speaking, since we speak French and English all the time. The linguistic environment is completely bilingual at the NCC, which is very important for the capital.

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

Do you have other financial partners you could encourage to provide services in French when you hold events?

[Marie Lemay]

Indeed, that condition is included in all the agreements concerning events that are held on NCC lands.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Thank you to our witnesses. We appreciate you taking the time to be here. Sorry for the late start. We look forward to the important role that you're each going to play as we celebrate Canada's 150th birthday.

The meeting is adjourned.