Environment Committee on June 18th, 2008

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the witnesses.

I was disappointed to see Mr. Cullen leave after asking his questions, because I thought he would want to hear more information. That's unfortunate indeed.

I think Mr. Scarpaleggia mentioned that the water that touches the water that goes back into the river is full of contaminants. I thought you'd mentioned that.

Clearly there are two types of water, and I want to establish that. One is to cool the equipment that's working, which obviously doesn't get any contaminants in it, and that goes back into the river after making sure there are no contaminants in it. And the second is water that touches raw oil sands, and that raw oil sand water is not allowed to go back in. In fact, I know first-hand that Syncrude, Albian, and CNRL recycle 100% of their water, and of course the tailing water that's there now that has been discussed in detail. There is a lot of that. I've seen that first-hand on a continuous basis.

I wish Mr. Cullen would have been around to have the opportunity to hear more. He's always good in question period to ask and criticize, but he's not so happy here to listen. Most people know I'm not a partisan person, of course, but I want to make sure that people recognize that on the record.

I think we should offer congratulations, as Mr. Warawa said. Indeed, Syncrude has reclaimed some of its land this year. It received an award for that reclamation. It looks great, and it's a good job by them.

In fact, Suncor is going to reclaim the very first tailing pond by 2010, which is the only one that I understand has leaked any effluent into any water system at all. I'm very pleased to hear that. Indeed, I think what I've heard from the president of Suncor today is that there is technology out there now to reclaim tailing ponds and to get that system back to 100%, and it's their intention to do that by 2010. So that is good news, and I think congratulations are in order for those oil sands companies.

I see Mr. Bigras is unhappy, but everybody in this room uses oil sands. They use it in their vehicles. Mr. Bigras, unless you flew to the Hill, you did, because the oil sands were used originally—

[An hon. member]

And you?

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I do use it, frequently.

I just want to be clear, Mr. Chair, if I can—

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

We have witnesses, so let's ask them the questions.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

The oils sands actually were used to pave roads, to pave Parliament Hill and to pave Jasper Avenue in Edmonton. So everybody has used it, because they walk on it.

I just want to be clear about the Athabasca River, which has been sort of the subject. It flows into the Arctic Ocean—is that correct? So that water ultimately flows into the Arctic Ocean and becomes part of that ocean.

[Steve Burgess]

Yes.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Okay.

Is the testing that was done, the water table and plant and animal testing, affected by the season in which it's done, whether it's done in the winter or in the summer? Do you have any expertise in that area?

[Steve Burgess]

I certainly don't have expertise. I'm sorry.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

That's all right. I wasn't sure if indeed you did.

I know there have been a lot of tests there. Since 1997 there have been tests on the aquatic system on the lakes in the area and the rivers in the area. It was interesting. I did notice that in one particular test.... It is on page 41 of a regional aquatics monitoring program that started in 1997, and this is ten years later. This report was done in 2007. I quote:

There is also no evidence to conclude that there have been any significant changes in lake chemistry in the RAMP ASL lakes over the monitoring period.

So there's been no change.

I was also interested to find in the same study that there are four different assessments for water, including discharge. There's negligible, low, moderate, and high. In mean open water season discharge and in mean winter discharge, in annual maximum daily discharge and in minimum open water season discharge, all four were negligible, with the lowest possible testing result.

Are you aware of that?

[Steve Burgess]

No, I'm sorry.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I'd be happy to provide you with a copy of the report.

In fact they also found in this report that “...no effects of local human activities were apparent on water quality in the Athabasca River in 2007.”

Were you aware of that? I'm just curious. You haven't seen a copy of this report?

[Steve Burgess]

No, I'm sorry.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

It goes on further to say that they “...do not suggest changes in sediment quality over time”. It appears there were some remarks at Monday's meeting.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Mr. Bigras.

[Bernard Bigras, Bloc, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

On a point of order, I would like the member to tell me what document he is quoting from. What is his source, the reference?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Mr. Jean, could you provide a copy of that to the clerk for us and then we can distribute it?

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Certainly, but I will just put it on the record. I'm referring to the executive summary of the regional aquatics monitoring program, which is RAMP, the final 2007 technical report. I have a copy here, and I'd be pleased to give that to the clerk afterwards.

Do you know what baseline these tests were done on by the Alberta government, or indeed by you? Was there any baseline test used?

[Steve Burgess]

No, I'm sorry. We don't have that level of technical information.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

You are aware, of course, that oil has seeped into the Athabasca River for tens of thousands of years?

[Steve Burgess]

I understand that this is the case, yes.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

You haven't been around, and I haven't either.

I don't know if you've had the opportunity to visit. During the summertime I would recommend to many members to visit that area, because it's unique. The oil actually seeps right into the water system, and it has for a long time--I would imagine, as long as it's been on the riverbanks. It actually seeps in there when it's warm.

I'm not certain as to your expertise in uranium mining. As you are maybe aware, in Saskatchewan, which is in the Athabasca water aquifer, there was a uranium mine on the east part of that lake for many years. Is that correct?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Mr. Jean, your time is up. Perhaps you could just come to a close.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I was having so much fun. Did I get deducted for Mr. Bigras' comments, Mr. Chairman?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

No, not really. You're at seven minutes, so not really.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I'll leave it then, Mr. Chairman.