Evidence of meeting #81 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 parks.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:05 a.m.
Conservative
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses for coming.
I think everyone knows that I have real concerns about precedent. I've been assured by the officials that future parks are legislatively protected from potential exploration.
Having said that, I asked the parliamentary secretary and the minister during debate on Bill S-15 that this park not be used as a precedent to allow exploration in national parks. My question was not answered.
I then went to the minister and said, “Can you get it on the record that you will not use this as a precedent?” So I'm going to ask very specifically. I would like the word—that the integrity of Canada's national parks will not be undermined, but instead protected, that creating a national park amid oil and gas exploration is not a foot in the door, an opening setting a precedent to allow development in our national parks. Today, I hear, “In my view....”
I need better. Will this be used as a precedent?
10:05 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada
I can assure you that it will not be used as a precedent. I want to be very clear here that the Canada National Parks Act is very clear on that. We are not changing that.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Thank you.
What are the results of all studies, analyses, or assessments that the government—the government, not Zoe Lucas—undertook regarding the impacts of seismic testing, and particularly of low-impact studies?
10:05 a.m.
Director, Parks Establishment, Parks Canada
Could you clarify the question? Are you asking about seismic in general, or are you asking with respect to seismic on Sable Island?
10:05 a.m.
Director, Parks Establishment, Parks Canada
Again, we are aware of one environmental assessment that was done for the 1999 program and of the code of practice that was put in place.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Mr. McNamee, I understand that, but what studies and analysis did the government do?
10:05 a.m.
Director, Parks Establishment, Parks Canada
The analysis and that sort of thing was done by the Offshore Petroleum Board through its environmental assessment process.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
10:05 a.m.
Director, Parks Establishment, Parks Canada
I'm not aware of what was done at that time, because Parks Canada was not on the scene on Sable Island. That was under the Offshore Petroleum Board.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Could you table with this committee what studies the government undertook looking at seismic activity, please?
10:05 a.m.
Director, Parks Establishment, Parks Canada
You mean with respect to Sable Island.
10:05 a.m.
Conservative
Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Centre-North, AB
I'm just wondering if undertaking an environmental assessment of Sable Island for these types of activities would fall under federal jurisdiction.
10:05 a.m.
Conservative
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
I want to know what studies have been done on Sable regarding seismic and if that information could be tabled. That's all I want to know.
10:05 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
To respond to that, as I understood the dialogue, it was the petroleum board that did the study, and they are the representative of government. They are appointed by government. So your definition of government may be rather broad when it comes to which government and which arm of government.
Your time has been stopped. You're starting again now.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Thank you.
Could you talk about CNSOPB's environmental record? What's been done regarding seismic activity in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and listening to expert evidence?
10:05 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada
This is a question that I think is better directed to the board, based on their experience and responsibilities.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Thank you. I appreciate that.
One of my concerns is the mechanism for coordination and cooperation between Parks Canada and CNSOPB. This is key. The amendments state:
Before deciding whether to issue the authorization, the Board shall consider any advice that it receives under subsection (2).
In other words, the Offshore Petroleum Board is not bound by the recommendations of Parks Canada. Who is looking after the interests of the environment on Sable Island if the board is not bound by the decision? I understand that an MOU could be put in place, but it would be put in place after the park is established.
10:10 a.m.
Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada
But as the chair mentioned, there is an obligation to consult with us. We will provide the best science and information. There will be an environmental assessment, but the decision rests with the board. The other aspect of this is that low-impact exploration is now limited compared with what is in place currently.
