Mr. Chair, the proposed amendment directs that the board shall not issue an authorization if the advice Parks Canada provides indicates that the proposed activity would have a significant negative impact on the national park reserve.
I recommend that we not support the proposed amendment, as it constricts the ability of the board to act on the best advice should other experts disagree with Parks Canada.
In the case of receiving conflicting expert advice on how a proposal to carry out low-impact exploration work on Sable Island would occur, the amendment would presuppose that Parks Canada's view is the only view that would be correct and the only view that should be considered.
The amendment also differs from the terms of the 2011 Canada-Nova Scotia national parks establishment agreement, and the amendment would require support from the province as well as a similar amendment to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act.