Evidence of meeting #75 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 sara.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Lawrence Toet Conservative Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to all our guests here today. It's very interesting.
Ms. Whitton, I want to follow up on a comment you made in your presentation that habitat we preserve may not be enough to preserve a species. Did I hear that correctly?
Associate Professor, Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
Yes, that's correct.
Conservative
Lawrence Toet Conservative Elmwood—Transcona, MB
The reason I ask that question is that we had witnesses from the Canadian Cattlemen's Association here about a week ago, and they talked about one thing that they found very important and that should be considered. I'd like to get your input on this.
They said that if a species at risk is found on a property, it should be assumed that the landowner is doing something right. They're looking at it on an evidence-based science front. They're obviously thinking that the evidence is there that this species is surviving in that particular habitat and under those particular circumstances, so there must be a suggestion through it that there is something proper and right happening on that habitat.
In conjunction with what you said—that habitat we preserve may not be enough to preserve a species—can you see how that would be something that should be looked at in a positive vein? Should we be looking at that particular habitat and asking why the species is surviving there, rather than removing the cattlemen from that area and saying they're not allowed to do any work there? Should we be looking at more of a co-joined effort there?
Associate Professor, Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
Absolutely. Yes, every species is unique. For example, the presence of grazing cattle can help limit grasses that compete with native plants. They can have a positive impact—there's no doubt about that—for certain species under certain circumstances.
Again, listing under SARA requires that we understand the threats and impacts on the land. As for the simple presence of a species at risk on a parcel of land being an indication of habitat health, you'd have to first ask whether that species is declining, stable, or increasing. It goes to the specifics. It can take a long time for a population of long-lived organisms—grizzly bears, even a herd of caribou—to decline and disappear. If they're there but declining, I would argue that doesn't necessarily mean all is good in that habitat.
The specifics do matter, but I agree.
Conservative
Lawrence Toet Conservative Elmwood—Transcona, MB
The point was that we should start from that point, the assumption that something proper and right is occurring there. That's basically what you've just agreed with there, and I appreciate that.
I just wanted to turn my questioning to Ms. Kleb from the Canadian Nuclear Association. I just quickly read your testimony. Sorry, I was late and never had an opportunity to hear it. There are some challenges obviously between balancing energy.... We need energy. We're all sitting in a room here with audio equipment, video equipment, and lights, which are all driven by energy. That is a reality we have. In that balancing of the need for energy and the pursuit of conserving habitat, can you speak to some of the challenges you see in that and how it's being addressed by the Canadian Nuclear Association?
Acting President, Canadian Nuclear Association
First off, I would say that, compared to other power-generating sources, we do have a relatively small environmental footprint. Even our mines are largely underground mines.
That said, I discussed a number of projects earlier where our members have interacted with species at risk. I've also offered a number of solutions, through partnerships and other means, where we can offset those effects on those species. There is a balancing act there, but it's one we can manage.
Conservative
Lawrence Toet Conservative Elmwood—Transcona, MB
You talked a little bit about the habitat offsets. I think that's very interesting, because some of our other witnesses here also talked about migratory birds and their need for habitat as they move through the migration process.
Is that a role you could see industry playing in habitat offsets, to have those protected areas that would allow for the migration patterns to be continued or to be followed through? Are those things that industry would be open to?
Acting President, Canadian Nuclear Association
That's something we're already involved with. If there are migratory birds coming through our properties, we're very aware of them. Yes, the habitat banking option is looking to provide a larger bank of protected natural areas rather than disparate habitat protection restoration projects, which would obviously support migratory birds and species at risk.
Conservative
Calgary Centre-North, CPC
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the witnesses for being here today.
My time is brief so I'll try to be direct with my questioning, and it will be directed primarily to Dr. Otto.
First of all, on behalf of all the committee members here, I'd like to congratulate you on your MacArthur Fellowship. That's a substantive achievement for anyone in Canada and certainly for a Canadian woman in your field of research. Congratulations to you.
I would like to pick up on the line of questioning that my colleague Madam Quach started. She began by laying the foundation.
Dr. Otto, your background—I believe it's theoretical and experimental evolution—is one that's obviously very relevant to this committee's work as you are studying biodiversity and that naturally feeds into habitat conservation. Given that, since she was asking how basic research, particularly your basic research, impacts habitat conservation, I'd like to go through some of the government policy and funding for basic research specific to your portfolio, which may be helpful.
It's my understanding that currently you hold, since fiscal year 2006, approximately $1.6 million in funding from NSERC. Is that approximately correct?
Director, Biodiversity Research Centre, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
My personal research is under $100,000. The rest is a training program for graduate and post-doctoral students.
Director, Biodiversity Research Centre, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
That's correct.
Calgary Centre-North, CPC
Great.
Are you aware that since fiscal year 2006-07, the NSERC budget has been increased from $895 million to $1.86 billion?
Director, Biodiversity Research Centre, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
I didn't know the exact numbers.
Director, Biodiversity Research Centre, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
That is a substantive increase but it has also shifted which areas are being funded.
Calgary Centre-North, CPC
But NSERC, including the discovery grants, which you hold, has a substantive impact on basic research and your research program. Is that correct?
Director, Biodiversity Research Centre, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
Absolutely.
Calgary Centre-North, CPC
Excellent.
I also understand that the Biodiversity Research Centre at the University of British Columbia was funded through the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Is that correct?
Director, Biodiversity Research Centre, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
Correct.
Calgary Centre-North, CPC
Are you aware that the Canada Foundation for Innovation's budget has been increased substantively by over a half a billion dollars in the last six years?
Director, Biodiversity Research Centre, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
Yes, I am.
Calgary Centre-North, CPC
Would you say that has an impact on basic research across Canada, including your portfolio?
Director, Biodiversity Research Centre, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
Yes, although it does not sponsor research per se, but the infrastructure in which we reside.
