Evidence of meeting #27 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was community.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:50 a.m.
Author, As an Individual
I can't give you exact data on how many more greenhouse gas emissions a refinery will make if it is processing bitumen. I don't have that data at my fingertips.
10:50 a.m.
Bloc
Christian Ouellet Bloc Brome—Missisquoi, QC
In conclusion, Mr. Nikiforuk, I would like to tell you that I have been an architect during my entire life. Like you, I also never got a degree. I practised architecture because I was recognized as an architect. You do not need a degree to be recognized in your field.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Dr. O'Connor, in law there is a rule called the thin skull rule. What that rule means is that you have to take your victim as he's received. In other words, if somebody's a sensitive person, you have a car accident and you kill them and they happen to have a particularly sensitive skull, that's tough luck, it's not an excuse as to why you severely injured or harmed them. You still have to pay the compensation.
Some of the members opposite are trying to suggest that perhaps the high and growing disease rates in Fort Chipewyan are because of bad habits, smoking, high diabetes from eating inappropriate foods. You've advised us that Health Canada has sent the advisory that they have to stop eating traditional foods as much. So clearly then their diet might change.
Would it be true that weakened health will potentially make the community less resistant to the impacts of toxins?
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Would it be true that if your health becomes weakened over time, and you're advised not to eat the traditional foods, and traditionally you relied on those, then if you are less healthy, you would have less immunity to the impact of toxins?
10:50 a.m.
Physician, As an Individual
I think that's very plausible. One of the issues in Fort Chipewyan, which has maybe also driven the dependence on traditional foods, is that people cannot afford to shop at the local supermarket. I've heard several mentions of pop and chips being the staple diet. I'm afraid that's not true at all. Eighty-percent-plus of the community eats traditional foods, unfortunately, still, even given the advisory, because there's no alternative.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I understand that a number of recently diagnosed cancers are among the elders, who have always lived off the land.
10:50 a.m.
Physician, As an Individual
Absolutely. They are the most traditional living of all the people in Fort Chipewyan.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Dr. O'Connor, do you think it would be useful, for the next phase of studies, which we're all hopeful will be expedited, to employ a peer review in the establishment of the terms of reference for the study and a peer review of any findings?
10:50 a.m.
Physician, As an Individual
Absolutely. It's going to have to involve people who are recognized in this field. There are a number of worldwide experts who are now looking at this issue. And I think it will actually take that to make it a comprehensive and credible study.
10:55 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
So you think it might be advantageous for the federal government to be in touch with some of these other agencies and institutes that have conducted such studies.
10:55 a.m.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I'd welcome any kind of recommendations you could pass on to us.
There was a suggestion by Dr. Wadieh Yacoub, who testified before the committee. He essentially maligned you in suggesting that you had failed in providing timely reporting on the cancers. Is that your obligation?
10:55 a.m.
Physician, As an Individual
No, it isn't. I was really saddened to hear that. I have nothing personally against Dr. Yacoub. And I'm not sure it was personal. But Dr. Yacoub should know very well that family physicians have no part in reporting cancer. We have no process for doing it. We don't diagnose cancer. We actually refer people. Even for the minor operations and surgeries we do in our offices, the pathologist analyzing the samples taken is the person who makes the diagnosis.
Just to be sure, I double-checked with the Alberta Medical Association, family practice section, and I was told flatly that family physicians do not report cancer. My successor in Fort Chipewyan, who was referred to as the physician in Fort Chipewyan who was now reporting cancer, got angry and irate and responded very publicly to say that he was doing nothing more than I did, which was my obligation in Fort Chipewyan. It was my obligation in Fort Chipewyan to simply document what I was finding.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Your time has expired.
Before I turn it over to Mr. Warawa, I just want to inform the committee that as we discussed at Tuesday's meeting, arrangements have been made for lunch after caucus on Wednesday at 12 o'clock in room 602 of the parliamentary restaurant, so we can have a kind of wrap-up lunch, along with Environment Commissioner Vaughan.
With that, we'll go to Mr. Warawa.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC
Thank you.
Dr. O'Connor, so I don't forget, I'll begin by saying that during our trip to Fort Chipewyan, we sensed a great respect in the community for you and the work you've done in that community. I think it's reciprocal. I sense a real love for that community from you.
Mr. Calkins asked you about your opinion regarding deformities in fish. Have you seen the goldeye with the two jaws?
10:55 a.m.
Physician, As an Individual
At the time I saw it, I'd never come across anything like it. It struck me as being really odd, but I really didn't know. It looked very symmetrical. Of course, at the time, the leadership in the community that had produced it held back as well. They said we needed to have it analyzed.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC
Do you believe there's a possibility of deformity then? Do you believe it could be caused or slightly caused by the oil sands?
10:55 a.m.
Physician, As an Individual
I'm not sure the goldeye was deformed. I think it may have been something else. It may have been a natural occurrence. In terms of the other deformed fish, the fish with tumours and bulging eyes that are quite dramatic, I think that's not natural. I couldn't explain it on the basis of....
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC
I think we've heard today that it is. You're not certain, and it “may be”.
Do you believe that the health concerns you've raised, the fish deformities, are being caused by the oil sands?