Environment Committee on Nov. 26th, 2014

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, François Choquette]

Good afternoon.

Welcome to the 40th meeting of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

Today, pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), we are going to study the votes under supplementary estimates (B) 2014-15.

We are pleased to welcome the following witnesses: Michael Martin, Deputy Minister; Ron Hallman, President, and Helen Cutts, from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency; Alan Latourelle and Maria Stevens, from Parks Canada; Mitch Bloom and Yves Robineau, from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

I forgot to mention Carol Najm, from the Department of the Environment.

Mr. McKay, do you wish to make a comment?

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Can you remind the committee why the minister is not here to present her estimates? Is there some reason? I can't remember.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, François Choquette]

The reason why the minister is not here is that she was not available. We should ask the Conservative members whether they have a different answer than the one they gave me.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

So the reason she's not here is that she's not here.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, François Choquette]

That is not a point of order.

I will therefore give the floor to the witnesses, who are kind enough to be here today. I don't exactly know the order of the presentations, but we are here to listen to them. I think four witnesses will take the floor.

As I understand it, you have 20 minutes in total, followed by the rounds of questions.

Mr. Martin, the floor is yours.

[Michael Martin, Deputy Minister, Department of the Environment]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It is my privilege to appear before you today, on behalf of the Minister of the Environment, to discuss the 2014-15 supplementary estimates (B) for Environment Canada.

I have a brief statement to deliver, which will be followed by statements from our portfolio agencies. After that, we would all be pleased to answer questions on the supplementary estimates (B).

This is Environment Canada's first supplementary estimates to update the 2014-15 main estimates. The department's submission amounts to a net increase of $52.6 million, bringing the department's total budget to $1.035 billion. The estimates, as you all have seen, include $44.6 million for grants and contributions, $9.9 million for statutory items, and a reduction of $1.9 million for transfers between Environment Canada and other federal government departments.

As you can see, grants and contributions are a large part of Environment Canada's supplementary estimates. These are voted transfer payments with limited funding and defined start and end dates, and they are provided to individuals or organizations for activities meeting eligibility criteria set by the programs they support.

Now, as I mentioned, included in these estimates is Environment Canada's request for $25.6 million to implement the national conservation plan.

As you may recall, on May 15, the Prime Minister launched Canada's national conservation plan. The plan provides $252 million over five years and will contribute to Canada's long-term prosperity by taking concrete action in three priority areas.

First, it will safeguard and enhance biodiversity and ecosystems through conservation and stewardship actions.

Second, it will restore degraded ecosystems while protecting and recovering species at risk.

Third, it will also connect Canadians with nature to foster an appreciation for nature that will help to build a community of stewards of all ages.

The national conservation plan targets investments in new and enhanced initiatives, such as securing ecologically sensitive lands, restoring wetlands, supporting voluntary stewardship for species and habitats, and strengthening marine and coastal conservation.

The department's funding requests for these estimates will be used for such initiatives as securing, as I said, ecologically sensitive lands, fully accounting for Canada's conservation lands, and taking actions to restore wetlands. We will also support voluntary actions to conserve and restore species in their habitats and, as I said, help further connect urban Canadians to nature.

Mr. Chair, these are the highlights of the objectives that Environment Canada's supplementary estimates (B) will support in the department's work to provide Canadians with a clean, safe, and sustainable environment.

I will now pass the microphone to the CEO of Parks Canada.

[Alan Latourelle, Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada]

Mr. Chair, thank you for this opportunity to meet with the committee to discuss the 2014-15 supplementary estimates (B) for Parks Canada.

Just to give a bit of an overview, last week I returned from the World Parks Congress where close to 6,000 people from 170 countries gathered to debate and discuss the future of national parks and other protected areas. Participants generally agreed on the need to protect large landscapes and restore degraded ecosystems, the need for aboriginal peoples to have a real voice in the management of national parks, and the need to engage the hearts and minds of all people, and to inspire them across generations, geography, and cultures to experience the wonders of nature through protected areas.

Mr. Chair, as Parks Canada's team members participated in these discussions, I was very proud to be Canadian, to share with my colleagues from other countries our accomplishments as a country. On all of these fronts, which I mentioned previously, I can say without hesitation that Parks Canada, and Canada, is an international leader.

First, over the past decade we have expanded our parks system of national parks at a scale that very few countries, if any, have achieved and we will continue to do so by supporting the government's objectives to create three new national parks by 2015.

Second, Parks Canada is implementing the largest ecological restoration program in our 103-year history. That is international leadership.

Third, we are involving aboriginal peoples in the management of our national parks through cooperative management boards and other innovative approaches that are recognized as international leadership.

Finally, through innovative initiatives such as the establishment of Rouge national urban park, learn to camp programs, free entry passes for new Canadians, and the renewal of our accommodation offer, we are seen as an international leader in connecting people to nature. In fact, in terms of connecting people to parks, we co-led the stream as part of the congress' program.

These are all Parks Canada initiatives that support the government's national conservation plan.

As we approach the 150th anniversary of our country, we have led a multi-partner search in the Victoria Strait based on traditional Inuit knowledge, and solved one of the greatest international mysteries through the discovery of Sir John Franklin's ship, the HMS Erebus. In so doing, we have connected the hearts and minds of our citizens to the history of our great country.

This year, Parks Canada also played a very significant role in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec conferences, the genesis of our political system. We also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, and the 75th anniversary of the start of the Second World War at numerous Parks Canada places.

I would now like to turn to the estimates we are discussing today.

Parks Canada is seeking adjustments to Parks Canada's 2014-15 main estimates totalling $62.4 million. These funds will be mainly invested in items such as: $57.7 million in investments representing the first year of a five-year $391.5 million investment included in economic action plan 2014 to make improvements to highways, bridges and dams located in our national parks and along our historic canals; $3.7 million for projects under the federal contaminated sites action plan; $0.5 million for continued policy support in comprehensive claims and self-government negotiations; and, finally, $0.3 million for actions under the national conservation plan.

I would like to thank you, Mr. Chair, and the committee for your time today. I'm happy to respond to any questions at the end of our presentation.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, François Choquette]

Thank you, Mr. Latourelle.

Are there any other presentations?

Mr. Hallman, the floor is yours.

[Ron Hallman, President, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is requesting funding of $139,000 under the supplementary estimates, for a total budget of just over $31 million. If renewed, these funds will allow our Pacific and Yukon regional offices to continue supporting ongoing treaty negotiations with aboriginal groups.

We work to ensure that environmental assessment is appropriately addressed in the negotiation of self-government agreements and comprehensive land claim agreements. The treaties, once concluded, specify the roles and responsibilities of the parties with respect to environmental assessment. This work is a small part of the broader process led by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development to successfully conclude treaties.

Mr. Chair, as the committee is aware, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 is now two and a half years old. The act supports public participation, high-quality environmental assessments, and aboriginal consultation. I'm very proud to lead such a capable and dedicated organization in the service of Canadians.

In closing, Mr. Chair, I would note that the agency is very proud of the results we are achieving, together with other federal departments, and we remain committed to continuous improvement in the implementation of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.

Merci, monsieur.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, François Choquette]

Thank you, Mr. Hallman.

Mr. Bloom, it is your turn to give a presentation.

[Mitch Bloom, Acting President, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I am pleased to be here to discuss the supplementary estimates (B) for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency—CanNor.

I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to give you a brief overview of our work to advance economic development in Canada's three territories.

This year CanNor will deliver about $37 million in contribution programs and services to foster economic development in the north. Since 2009 CanNor has invested over $208 million in approximately 950 projects. Many of these projects are funded through CanNor's two key contribution programs: the strategic investments in northern economic development program and the northern aboriginal economic opportunities program.

To fully align with the federal framework for aboriginal economic development, CanNor has streamlined and harmonized its aboriginal economic development programming under this northern aboriginal economic opportunities program, which was launched on April 1, 2014. This program is opportunity-driven, focused on results, and geared towards maximizing economic opportunities for aboriginal communities and businesses.

Overall, these investments may be modest, but they have an important impact on the economy of the north.

CanNor's northern projects management office, or NPMO, plays a key role in working with both industry and communities to advance responsible resource development in the three territories. The NPMO shepherds resource projects through the regulatory process in a way that anticipates and addresses challenges. The NPMO coordinates all federal regulators to ensure the timeliness, transparency, and predictability of regulatory efforts while overseeing the crown's aboriginal consultations.

The agency also puts significant effort towards building a skilled and representative workforce in the north.

In 2012 we launched the northern adult basic education program, a five-year program to give northerners who have not completed high school access to basic literacy, numeracy, and workplace skills that will help them participate in the labour market as the economy grows. This program is delivered through the territorial colleges. In its first two years of operation, it offered more than 135 programs to over 1,900 adult learners.

We're also investing $5.6 million over four years to help establish a centre for northern innovation in mining in Yukon to deliver the education and training required for skilled jobs in the mining and exploration sectors. The centre will be a one-stop shop, a state-of-the-art education and training facility for people beginning a career in the mining industry as well as for those who want to upgrade their skills. lt will help address labour shortages in the mining sector in Yukon and in the north.

The funding of just over $975,000 received through supplementary estimates (B) is part of CanNor's four-year investment in capital support to the college. This amount represents the second year of funding for this program to the college.

This funding is matched by the Yukon government and used for the construction and renovation of buildings at Yukon College's main campus in Whitehorse and for the purchase of mobile training facilities and equipment. The new centre is expected to provide the territory with up to 520 accredited trades, mining, and apprenticeship graduates, plus 710 students will be able to complete shorter courses, such as safety training.

The balance of our estimates received is to cover a small cost of compensation adjustments over the fiscal years.

Mr. Chair, I have only touched on a few examples of how CanNor helps to foster a strong, diverse and sustainable economy across the three territories.

We see ourselves as a key player and partner in providing a foundation for a prosperous economic future for those who live, work, and support their families in the north.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, François Choquette]

Thank you, Mr. Bloom.

We will now move on to the rounds of questions, starting with a government member.

Mr. Woodworth, you have seven minutes.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like to welcome all the witnesses and thank them for joining us.

I have some questions for Mr. Latourelle, but since I am not fluent in French, I will ask them in English.

There were a number of things that you said, Mr. Latourelle, but I'm particularly pleased that you said so clearly that having been to the World Parks Congress and observed the challenges that face other nations, you are able to say without hesitation that Canada is an international leader. I'm particularly pleased just to hear that said out loud, because there's a false narrative out there that (a), Canada is not respected internationally in environmental issues, and (b), that we don't in fact pull our weight. So thank you for making that comment.

I want to start with the largest appropriation in the supplementary estimates (B) that is in your budget, and that is the $57.7-million investment that you refer to in your remarks as representing the first year of a five-year investment in economic action plan 2014. Could you begin by telling us, first of all, about the overall scope of that five-year plan, and second, what the $57.7 million will be targeted toward?

[Alan Latourelle]

The $57.6 million is going to be invested mostly in highways, bridges, and dams. For this year, there are 50 projects, 12 national parks, and 7 national historic canals.

For example, there's $10.9 million that is being invested in historic canal dams and locks. There's $12.6 million for highway bridges across the country. There's $34.2 million that will be spent on highways because we are responsible, for example, for the Trans-Canada Highway through Banff, in the mountain parks, and also on the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

What is the scope of the overall five-year plan? Can you elaborate on that at all? In what general direction are you heading? Is it going to be focused on the same kinds of projects, or will it also expand to maintenance of other facilities?

[Alan Latourelle]

No, the investment that was announced in economic action plan 2014 was focused on highways, bridges, and dams. That's where the investments will be made in terms of the $391.5 million.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

As I understand it, recently the Prime Minister announced additional funding which will go toward Parks Canada infrastructure. Quite frankly, I don't have at my fingertips the precise amount or time period. You referred to it in your remarks, $2.8 billion.

Could you elaborate on that a little bit? What's the timeframe and how will that improve on the action plan 2014 that you were just describing?

[Alan Latourelle]

The announcement that was made earlier this week by Prime Minister Harper was focused on supporting infrastructure improvements to heritage, tourism, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada.

That covers the whole spectrum of our operations. For example, visitor facilities, campgrounds, and day use areas would be covered by this significant investment, as would, again, the outstanding work that would be left from budget 2014, in terms of dams, highways, and bridges.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Do you have a timetable? Do you have a plan or a set of priorities worked out at this point for that funding?

[Alan Latourelle]

The announcement was made this Monday, so we are finalizing our plan within the next month.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Hopefully, we'll have you back again to hear a little bit more about that.

I also want to ask you about what you referred to in your remarks as “the largest ecological restoration program in Parks Canada's 103-year history”. I wonder if you could elaborate on that a little bit. What specifically were you referring to?

[Alan Latourelle]

We've embarked on a five-year ecological restoration program across the agency. The investment over five years will be approximately $85 million. The types of projects we're embarking on are, for example, restoring aquatic connectivity in Banff National Park, the cutthroat trout and the bull trout, and restoring a lot of prescribed burns.

The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development identified in his report that he was concerned last year that we weren't able to deliver a fire program. We are. I can report that to the committee. We're actually doing it in line with our objectives. There's also restoration of species at risk. Those are all the programs. There are about 42 key initiatives and significant initiatives occurring across Canada as we speak.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

It's a pleasure for me to hear that Parks Canada is taking such a wide-ranging approach and the government is putting the money behind it, particularly when we talk about aquatic connectivity and even the species at risk program, because we know those are important concerns across the country.

If I have time, I would like to deal with one last item regarding the multi-partner search in Victoria Strait resulting in the discovery of Sir John Franklin's ship.

I'm not sure how many people across the country understand that this was a Parks Canada-led initiative or understand the commitment that was made to this by Parks Canada as part of Environment Canada.

Could you give us some details about that, and tell us how it relates to the mandate of Parks Canada to have undertaken that search?

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, François Choquette]

Unfortunately, Mr. Woodworth, we will not be able to hear the answer, but perhaps in the next round, you or one of your colleagues can ask the same question again.

We will now move to Mr. Bevington for seven minutes.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Northwest Territories, NT]

Greetings to the witnesses today. I'm glad to see you here.

I want to talk a bit about environmental liabilities. They're 10% of Canada's accounts payable and accrued liabilities over this year. That's a pretty big sum and it's been huge and it's been growing.

How do you account for the increase in environmental liability that we've seen over the years?