Evidence of meeting #34 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 regulations.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
I have two CAs at the table so I'm not going to venture into liability. Let me ask Bruce or Trevor.
Principal, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
The book liabilities are on 2,200 sites. That's recorded in the public accounts.
We looked at the overall liability estimate and compared it to the funds that remain in the federal contaminated sites action plan itself, or in that program. FCSAP is not intended to cover all sites. When we compare it at a global level there is approximately $3 billion of liabilities against $2.5 billion remaining in the FCSAP program budget out to 2020. That left about a $500 million shortfall, based on liabilities as now measured and on the funds that are available.
What we look for is a consolidated plan about all the sites and how all the sites are going to be addressed. That's kind of the situation going forward.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Centre-North, AB
As someone married to an actuary, I appreciate that.
According to Treasury Board policy, federal custodian departments would still need to cover the costs of assessment and remediation for sites with their own funds. Would you still characterize this as an unfunded liability if custodial departments have to cover it? How come this Treasury Board policy isn't included in your assessment?
Principal, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
The balance remaining would have to be found somewhere by individual departments or agencies, that's correct. We didn't go and find out how much you have set aside and how you are going to do all that. What we're looking for is a consolidated plan that would address it. So a composite view of how this is going to be managed, going forward, would give that kind of assurance, if you will, about how the rest will be addressed.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Centre-North, AB
So you've now completed several reports. Would you say that it's true that this government is the first government that has regulated on greenhouse gas emissions?
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
I don't think that asking whether it is true that the Conservative government was the first to do so is a question for the commissioner. I don't think it is related to the report.
Conservative
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Centre-North, AB
Would you say that the present government is the first government to regulate on greenhouse gas emissions?
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
What I would say is this. This approach is based on regulations. It's not based on other measures, so yes, this is the first approach I've seen here or elsewhere, including the United States, where the entire approach is based on regulations.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa
Time has expired.
I want to thank Mr. Vaughan and all the witnesses with him.
I think back to 2006, going to the Sydney tar ponds and making the announcement, and I'm happy to report that this reclamation of the Sydney tar ponds is well under way. I think it's in its final stage now. Contaminated sites are something that Canadians want us all to work on, and this is a good functioning committee. I want to thank you for being here.
We're going to suspend and—
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
I think you'll want to know that the money for that was in the 2005 budget, and it was actually announced in 2005. I guess you re-announced it. Congratulations on that.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa
Well, what I was going to say was this government made that final decision.
Mr. Vaughan, I want to thank you so much.
We're going to suspend and go in camera.
[Proceedings continue in camera]