Evidence of meeting #32 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cosia.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Chair, Shareholder Steering Committee, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
Excuse me, could you repeat the first part of that question?
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Did you know that Mr. Dan Wicklum was subject to a code of ethics as a public servant?
Chair, Shareholder Steering Committee, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
I'll repeat my earlier messages. I'm aware that all of the best practices were followed with respect to the hiring of Dr. Wicklum.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa
There was a point of order from Ms. Rempel just a moment ago. She asked and reminded us to focus on the anticipated positive environmental outcomes. I want to make sure we have an understanding that this is what the questioning should be.
Mr. Wicklum's appointment or qualifications were not the reason we invited COSIA to be here. Again, I remind Mr. Choquette to please stay focused on the questioning mandate.
Thank you.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Thank you very much.
The vice-president for policy and sustainability at TransAlta believes it would be a good idea to set a price for carbon. In your opinion, should we set a price for carbon?
Chair, Shareholder Steering Committee, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
I believe your question comes from a policy perspective; so as I represent COSIA here today, which is a science organization, I would suggest that this is probably a little different from the subject I am appearing on today.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
No, in fact, as you stated earlier, the economy and the environment must work together, but in order to support the economy and the environment, we need policies. Do some environmental groups support you?
Chair, Shareholder Steering Committee, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
Coming back again, COSIA is laser-focused on accelerating environmental performance.
Chair, Shareholder Steering Committee, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
I would suggest that the public and a number of groups will be very supportive of that.
NDP
Chair, Shareholder Steering Committee, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
We have been quite open at the launch with respect to encouraging different universities and environmental groups and have had some good discussions across the wide range of land, those involved in GHGs, and concerning water and the like. As we've said concerning our charter, we're very interested in listening, responding to, and working with stakeholders who aspire to the same vision we aspire to of enhancing environmental performance of the oil sands.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Thank you very much.
I apologize for being a little hard-nosed with you.
Chair, Shareholder Steering Committee, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
That's okay.
Conservative
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Welcome to the witnesses. Thank you for your testimony.
Five minutes is barely enough time for me to clear my throat, so I'm going to talk really fast. I'll begin by simply saying, in response to Monsieur Choquette's comments about what environmental groups support what you're doing, that I quite frankly can't imagine anybody, even an environmental group, not supporting the kind of cutting-edge work that you're doing. I commend you for it.
Ms. Fairburn, I want to begin by putting on the record your qualifications, not to embarrass you but to just get it on the record. You can answer yes or no to these very quick questions.
I understand that you're the executive vice-president, environment and strategic planning, for Cenovus Energy. Is that correct?
Chair, Shareholder Steering Committee, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
That's correct.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
And I understand that you previously have been a vice-president in charge of the Weyburn Project, which I understand is carbon capture and storage. Is that correct?
Chair, Shareholder Steering Committee, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
Yes.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
I understand that you worked for the Canadian government as a visiting executive in 2003 and 2004. Is that correct?
Chair, Shareholder Steering Committee, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
Yes, indeed; I worked in the Privy Council Office at that point in time and was subject to all...yes.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
I understand that you have had positions in engineering technology, operations, and business with the upstream oil sands and refining sectors. Is that correct?
Chair, Shareholder Steering Committee, Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance
Yes, that's my background.