Environment Committee on March 12th, 2009

[Cynthia Wright]

Yes, I don't have those figures today. A lot of that would be the province looking at the flow, but Environment Canada provides the information on what the ecological effects might be if there is a lowering of the water flow. So we provide that information and then the Alberta government uses that information in setting its permits for water withdrawals.

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

Could you—

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Your time is up.

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

No, it's not a question.

Could you table those reports with the committee, if they are available?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Certainly if there is something you can share with the committee, I would ask that you forward it as part of your homework.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Not if there is.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Mrs. Wright, is there a report you would be able to share with the committee?

[Cynthia Wright]

On the impacts of water withdrawals?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Yes.

[Cynthia Wright]

Yes, I'm sure we could find one.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Thank you very much.

Ms. Duncan, the floor is yours.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

To the Department of Health, it is my understanding that over the last 10 years there have been at least half a dozen requests to Health Canada to undertake health studies and there have been responses by Health Canada. Could Health Canada provide to the committee the information on those requests and the replies provided?

[Dr. Wadieh Yacoub]

The municipality of Fort Chip is part of the provincial jurisdiction, and our work with Fort Chip was in collaboration and partnership with Fort Chip.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

With all due respect, Dr. Yacoub, I'm well aware that both the Dene nation, the community of Fort Chip--

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I've heard witnesses being interrupted a number of times in the middle of an answer and I think I just heard it again. It seems to me to be inappropriate and unfair to the witness. I would like to hear the whole answer the witness has to give before another question is asked.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

Mr. Woodworth, you have a good point of order, because in chapter 20 of Marleau and Montpetit, page 863, it says: “Members have been urged to display 'the appropriate courtesy and fairness' when questioning witnesses”.

So Ms. Duncan, I'd ask that you show that courtesy and fairness to our witnesses.

Mr. Yacoub, you may respond.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

I would encourage you to answer quickly so I can continue.

[Dr. Wadieh Yacoub]

As I responded in an earlier question, as soon as we were informed by Dr. O'Connor of his concerns specifically in March 2006, we immediately reacted by proposing and working to implement a cluster investigation. We assembled the team to respond to that study immediately. That work ultimately resulted in the Alberta Cancer Board's study that was released in 2009. That is the only study we have been approached to deal with.

I have received no other information that suggested we would work with them on any other study. This is the main concern that was relayed to the public health officer in this case. And as you probably know, the public health system in Alberta is a seamless system, so if any other concerns had come through any other agency we would be collaborating.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Dr. Yacoub, I'm not querying the efficacy of the study that you did or the fact that you did the study. My question is not related to that.

It's my understanding over the last 10 years that there have been at least a half a dozen requests by the Dene, by the community in Fort Chip, through a petition to the Commissioner for Sustainable Development. I'm simply asking if you could provide, for the edification of the committee, the requests that have been received and what the reply was that was provided. This is not the specific studies that you've undertaken, but simply the requests that you've received and the responses you have given.

[Dr. Wadieh Yacoub]

I have not received any requests in first nations and Inuit health. If other requests have been sent, they probably never came to first nations and Inuit health. Perhaps they have come to other branches of Health Canada. As you are probably aware, Health Canada is a member of many groups like CEMA and--

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Perhaps you can inquire?

[Dr. Wadieh Yacoub]

I certainly could inquire.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I'm sure I heard the witness being interrupted in the middle of a sentence. I want to hear the witness's whole answer.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Bezan]

I agree, Mr. Woodworth.

Again, Ms. Duncan, I ask that you show courteousness to our witnesses.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

I am being very courteous.