Evidence of meeting #78 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 mining.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Centre-North, AB
I have two minutes left. I'll go to Mr. Bates and then Mr. Hubert.
Executive Director, Canadian Wildlife Federation
Some of the things that have been said are right on point. The North American waterfowl management plan is a great example we can learn from, in that it could be applied in areas like freshwater aquatic habitats.
I think there are some things specifically that government could do to help. One is long-term regional conservation planning. When I say regional, I mean vast areas, typically multi-province or certainly large watershed area planning that is typically beyond the scope of a private business or a conservation organization to take on.
Another would be improving incentives, such as a tax credit system that would apply to individuals and all people participating in conservation.
Vice-President, Environmental Leadership, Forest Products Association of Canada
I like some of the things that have been said here. One is that the focus should be less on the monetary incentives and more on incentives that allow companies or industries to focus on things along the lines of stewardship agreements and multi-stakeholder arrangements, such as the ones Pierre was referring to. In those you have science, industry, academia, and government coming together in a way that is able to produce an actual result on the ground. You focus the conversation more on the results as opposed to avoiding the litigation, as was earlier mentioned.
Some of the things within the forestry sector related to certification would dovetail well with those multi-stakeholder initiatives that can be easily supported or engaged in by government. So it's allowing the flexibility to focus on results as opposed to focusing on avoiding litigation.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
Thank you very much, Ms. Rempel.
We'll move now to Ms. Duncan.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Thank you to everybody for coming and sharing your success stories.
I would like to begin with Mr. Burpee. You mentioned that you'd like to see some changes to SARA. Could you specify what they are, please?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Electricity Association
We have submitted some proposed legislative changes. The biggest element is getting proper recognition for the conservation agreement. Some exist that we can't get agreement on today.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
If you've submitted them, that's okay. Could you submit them to the committee?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Electricity Association
Yes. The other issue having to do with recovery strategies is consideration of the socio-economics. While science determines what a species at risk is, we think that science should not be the sole determiner of public policy. You have to consider much broader ecosystem and social aspects as well.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Thank you.
Now I'm going to ask each of the industry organizations whether you believe in evidence-based decision-making.
Mr. Hubert?
Vice-President, Environmental Leadership, Forest Products Association of Canada
Yes, absolutely. When you compare and contrast that with things such as the precautionary principle, we all need to be proceeding with a measure of caution as we implement policies or regulations, given that science is sometimes inconclusive and always developing. But when we take a look at what we're trying to achieve, which are outcomes and results, the degree to which we can be taking information and learning from what has worked and what hasn't, that should shape our approach forward.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
So, yes. Thank you.
Mr. Burpee, does your organization support evidence-based decision-making?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Electricity Association
I think that's what we do today. All our plans would have that in there.
Liberal
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
My next question is to the three of you again. What evidence is there to compare the effectiveness of stewardship initiatives with government-mandated measures?
Vice-President, Environmental Leadership, Forest Products Association of Canada
Do you mean with respect to some of the work?
Vice-President, Environmental Leadership, Forest Products Association of Canada
With respect to the work taking place on caribou, some of the science is still developing and inconclusive.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Is there evidence to compare the effectiveness of stewardship initiatives with government-mandated measures?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Mining Association of Canada
I have trouble with the question because SARA stewardship initiatives would also be government-mandated. They would be built through stewardship agreements.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
This committee is being asked to compare the effectiveness of the two. So what I'm asking—and I'm glad you have a problem with the question—is what is the evidence for comparing the effectiveness of the two?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Mining Association of Canada
We haven't seen any conservation agreements concluded yet. It's in section 11 of SARA, but the whole act I think has largely been driven more by the development of recovery plans than by action.
Liberal