Good afternoon.
First of all, I want to say that I was notified rather late. As a result, I didn't have the time to do an in-depth analysis of the bill. However, I do want to talk a little about how we are dealing with the phosphate problem in our area.
To begin with, I want to point out that our regional council held a regional forum in April on the impact of blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, in the Montérégie area. There is no doubt that discussions did not focus solely on the impact of detergents. Other important consequences for waterways and the groundwater in Montérégie were also discussed at that time.
Regulations dealing with the use of detergents would clearly be important and have an effect on the phosphorus problem in Canadian lakes. On the other hand, we believe regulations will resolve only part of the water contamination problem. The following is an overview of our discussions in relation to the different themes.
Let us begin by talking about agriculture. A number of participants emphasized the need for responsible agricultural practices, including protection of buffer strips and more environmentally friendly agricultural methods. Examples such as the La Guerre River project, organic growing and the addition of mycorrhiza foster more responsible agriculture and encourage a reduction in what is now extensive use of fertilizers, as well as a reduced need for watering—thereby decreasing water contamination caused by phosphorus, phosphates and other residues. Indeed, a resolution presented at the forum suggested that financial support be provided by governments—and I include both levels of government—with a view to fostering responsible agriculture and this type of growing practice and vision.
The next theme had to do with residences located on the shores of waterways or in isolated areas adjacent to a sewer system. The deterioration of some lakes and waterways has been caused by the poor use and poor protection of shoreline areas by residents, such as excessive cutting of vegetation or the use of fertilizers or pesticides in order to have a more even lawn. As we see it, the solution to that problem lies more in awareness raising and education regarding the environment. Unfortunately, monies available from the government—federal or provincial—for actions in this area are, in our view, inadequate or rarely available.
There is also the matter of the wastewater systems used at isolated residences. On the J.E. program that aired on the TVA network—I believe people here are familiar with it—we spoke out against the practice of discharging wastewater directly into the St. Lawrence River, into drainage ditches and waterways. That unacceptable practice is prevalent across the country. Rivers, lakes and ditches are thereby overexposed to contaminants of every imaginable kind, including nitrates, fecal coliforms and other pathogenic bacteria.
According to figures from the Ministry of Sustainable Development, the Environment and Parks (MDDEP), in Quebec alone, there are more than 850,000 septic systems being used by some 1.4 million people. Given that every individual discharges at least 250 litres of wastewater every day, more than 120 billion litres of wastewater are being released annually into the environment. We know that at least 60 per cent of these systems cause pollution because they are obsolete and no longer meet standards. Why is there no subsidy program in place? At the same time, infrastructure programs have helped urban residents, through subsidies of tens of billions of dollars, to build large sewer systems and filtering plants. Are there two classes of Canadians in this country?
In our opinion, the solution must come from both levels of government. Subsidies currently are available for the construction of wastewater treatment plants in municipalities that make the request. However, no subsidy currently exists for the construction of certified septic systems for isolated residences or sewer system in areas located too far away from urban facilities that no one can possibly afford to build.
Small municipalities and regions should be able to benefit from the Infrastructure Canada Program, which should include bringing such facilities up to standard. The operating and maintenance costs of these facilities could be paid through tax accounts, as is currently the case for subsidized systems. The impact of such a subsidy or regulation would be to encourage people to comply with current regulations, thereby allowing less advantaged or regional communities to have septic systems that meet health and environmental concerns. We don't want any more Walkertons.
We also believe that sewage treatment regulations and standards set by provincial ministries of the Environment across the country should be standardized.
However, it is important not to forget the groundwater. A study by Robert de Tilly of the MDDEP revealed the increasing possibility, as a result of climate change, that our waterways, including the St. Lawrence River, will evaporate over the next 25 years on an irregular basis, depending on the temperature. Indeed, that phenomenon has already been observed in the St. Lawrence River. You may want to refer to certain studies carried out by the Comité ZIP Ville-Marie in that regard. That has consequences for the water table. The capillary fringe, which is the area immediately above the water table, dries out because it follows the level of the groundwater. Over the years, significant cracks could open up in clay soil, possibly causing large fissures or crevices in houses located in the Montreal and South Shore areas. That could give rise to uncontrolled migration of contaminants of all kinds through the groundwater and into our waterways.
Let us look now at chemicals and detergents. All consumer products, such as detergents, cleaning products and soaps, should be subject to regular monitoring. These products should be required to comply with standards from the time of their development, based on the precautionary principle. Chemical substances already in use or their replacements should be required to have demonstrated their efficiency in relation to their potential impact on the environment. An unproven replacement product could create new problems in a not-so-distant future. As a result, it is essential to ensure that all new products are also environmentally friendly.
In closing, we believe that regulations dealing with detergents can be effective and positive, but without proper support from policies adopted in other areas, such as public health and the environment, they will not be enough. These regulations are intended to reduce the use of phosphorus, but in our opinion, they are not based on a comprehensive vision of the problem, which we see as key. Sustainable and integrated management have to occur at a broader level and consider all the factors that could potentially affect our environment and our waterways.
I will stop there and wait for your questions.