Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you for your presentation. You are undoubtedly aware that the UN will be releasing, this morning in New York, its third three-year report on world water development. The UN is very critical about oil sands and water. One author of the report states that the use of water by the oil companies working in the oil sands is extremely inefficient and therefore, absolutely not sustainable. That is what the UN has said, as we are working here in committee.
I would like to know whether you participated in this UN report. I have trouble reconciling these results with the department's findings, when you state: “Environment Canada provides advice in support of federal environmental assessments. This advice includes [...] cumulative environmental effects of oil sands development on water and sediment quality.”
What was your contribution to this study that will be unveiled this morning at the UN? Is it being taken into account? I'm trying to understand.