Environment Committee on Nov. 26th, 2014

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

On the increased liabilities that my colleague Mr. Bevington was talking about earlier, I'd like to ask you a few follow-up questions.

First of all, what oversight exists for the execution of these funds under Environment Canada?

[Michael Martin]

Sorry, what oversight exists?

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

What oversight exists when addressing the fact that there are liabilities year after year?

[Michael Martin]

Well, we have an ongoing assessment program. We identify projects and do an assessment.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Maybe more specifically, could you explain what the process is for identifying these projects that are going to be addressed?

[Michael Martin]

I'm sorry, I'm not sure I can give you that information now, but I would be happy to take that on notice and reply in writing if you want the specific details of how we go through the assessment process.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Yes, sure. That would be great.

Is the department conducting any studies on the impact of climate change on the management of contaminated sites or on the impact of climate change on environmental liability?

[Michael Martin]

I would have to check on that. Climate change, both mitigation and adaptation, is one of four key priorities under our departmental science plan. I'd be happy to verify whether we are specifically addressing the impacts on contaminated sites.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Could I ask what those four key priorities are?

[Michael Martin]

Sure. The science plan focuses our scientific effort in areas that are aligned with federal priorities. The first is contaminants, the scientific work we do to address contaminants, chemicals that could enter the environment. The second is in the area of warnings, both weather and environmental warnings. We continue to do a great deal of science in that area. The third, as I mentioned, is climate change mitigation and adaptation. The fourth relates to this area of conservation and all of the work we do in wildlife-related science, which is both flora and fauna.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Okay. I was also wondering, what is the department plan for reducing GHG emissions within the department itself? Could you detail that for us?

[Michael Martin]

Under the federal sustainable development strategy government-wide there's a commitment to reduce GHGs in government operations as a whole by 17% by 2020.

We report on that indicator and we are now in the second phase of the implementation of that plan.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Okay. Is there a plan for energy efficiency in government infrastructure going forward or for updating?

[Michael Martin]

As part of the federal sustainable development strategy, there is a greening government dimension to that which includes rules for both new builds and for retrofits which meet different LEED standards.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

What's the plan for accountability and oversight on that?

[Michael Martin]

As you may know, the federal sustainable development strategy, which was created by an act of Parliament, does have considerable public engagement, and both parliamentary and external oversight. The Commission on Sustainable Development reviews our plans and comments on them. Of course, there is a public consultation phase. This committee, of course, has the ability to provide oversight to that plan as well. That was all laid out in the legislation when it was put in place back in 2009, as I recall.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

That might be an interesting thing for this committee to look at, then.

On the—

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, François Choquette]

Unfortunately, Ms. Freeman, I have to interrupt you. You will not have enough time to finish your sentence.

We will now go to Ms. Ambler.

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Thank you to all of our guests for being here today. We appreciate your information on the supplementary estimates (B).

My question is with regard to the transfer of $933,000 to Fisheries and Oceans for the restoration of areas of concern under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Representing a riding that's situated on Lake Ontario, I'm wondering what areas of concern will benefit from this funding.

[Michael Martin]

Thank you for the question.

The Great Lakes is one of the ecosystem priorities under the department. We invest a whole range of both financial resources and scientific effort to improve the water quality in the Great Lakes. Specifically, we're transferring funds to DFO to undertake scientific work to support activity, in particular, in the Bay of Quinte and Hamilton harbour.

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Do you know what work is being carried out? Is it dredging of some form?

[Michael Martin]

This is scientific work on fish habitat. Separately, of course, we are undertaking remediation activities, in particular, in Hamilton harbour. The government made an announcement of $46.3 million, working in partnership with the province, U.S. Steel and others, to build an effective containment for the contaminated sediments in Hamilton harbour, and we're continuing to do that work.

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Is the goal to eventually take those sites off the list of sites that need to be remediated? Is that how it works?

[Michael Martin]

Yes. Certainly, under our agreement with the United States, we're both working to retire areas of concern. We've made progress in that regard, and the work we're doing in Hamilton harbour represents one of the most significant areas of current activity.

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Excellent, thank you.

In fact, just this past Saturday the area that I represent in South Mississauga was able to take advantage of the national conservation plan that you spoke about. You also mentioned the national wetland conservation program. One of my priorities is the Rattray Marsh, and part of the program funding went to that. I think that's an example of an on-the-ground or in-the-water wetland restoration project that at a local level can really make a difference. In this case we're partnering with the Credit Valley Conservation Authority to do the work.

In Hamilton harbour, are we partnering with some American organizations as well as Canadian ones?