Environment Committee on Nov. 28th, 2013

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

I understand that you have not yet had the time to examine the report.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

In fairness, I think it arrived yesterday on my desk, so I'm assuming most of us received it yesterday.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Recently, you transferred one million hectares of native prairie to provincial governments and the private sector. Are you going to at least commit to protect the Govenlock community pasture and the four research farms as protected wildlife areas?

If you do not have the answer, it's fine. You can send it later.

Mr. Chair, I would like to—

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

That, again, is referred to Agriculture Canada as opposed to Environment Canada.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Just a reminder, too, for those of us who aren't bilingual, it takes a little time for the translation to come through.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Ms. Aglukkaq, I know the report was tabled only yesterday, but, for the benefit of our committee, I would like you to provide us with your observations on the four priorities in the Green Budget Coalition. I feel that Environment Canada has a role to play in protecting the environment. A report on habitat protection is also underway and the report will be ready soon. I would also like you to bring the committee up to date about the million hectares of native prairie that were transferred.

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Your time is up, Mr. Choquette, so we'll have to respond to that at a later date.

We'll move to Mr. Toet for five minutes, please.

[Lawrence Toet, Conservative, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister, for appearing here today. It's good to have you here.

It was good that you also acknowledged, in relation to Mr. Sopuck's question, the work this committee has done on the national conservation plan. We did spend a lot of time on that, and we're really anxiously looking forward to seeing what comes out of that next year. It's good to hear that we're going to be seeing some details shortly.

In light of that, we don't want to leave the impression that we're just waiting for this one plan and that there are no conservation efforts being done on behalf of the Government of Canada at this time at all. I was hoping you could just elaborate a little bit on what actions the government is undertaking today in the conservation field.

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

Thank you for that question.

You're absolutely right, our government is playing a leadership role, and Canadians should be extremely proud of our record in the area of conservation.

Currently, Canada has protected approximately 10% of the terrestrial areas. This is equivalent to approximately twice the size of Spain. Building on this record, our government has increased the size of our protected areas by creating three national wildlife areas, three marine protected areas, two national parks, and two national marine conservation areas. Again, this area of land is equal to an area greater than the size of Denmark.

Further, since 2006, we have also protected more than 90,000 hectares of wildlife habitat, an area about twice the size of the city of Toronto.

In addition, thanks to our investment, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has secured more than 300,000 hectares of wildlife habitat, an area approximately half the size of Prince of Edward Island.

Finally, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has protected nearly 800,000 hectares, an area approximately the size of Kuwait.

These achievements on conservation have been recognized by the World Wildlife Fund, as they have presented Canada with a Gift to the Earth award for everything we have done since 2006.

Thank you.

[Lawrence Toet, Conservative, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Thank you.

I think receiving that Gift to the Earth Award speaks volumes as to what we have been doing and accomplishing.

The other thing I know we also talk a lot about in this committee is the aboriginal traditional knowledge and the integration of that with the work in science and research. I'm just wondering if you could also talk about the work our government is undertaking to integrate these two pieces together in our policy and whether it works.

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

I think it's a very important area, and one that I'm very happy to answer questions about.

Aboriginal traditional knowledge, ATK, or as we call it in my language Inuit qaujimajatuqangit, is an important source of information to inform policies and programs and science across the environment portfolio.

Environment Canada considers aboriginal traditional knowledge to be equal to traditional science and does not place a higher value on one over on the other. It is widely accepted that by hearing from and listening to and integrating the experiences of people who have lived on the land for thousands of years, we can greatly enhance our scientific knowledge. I would use polar bear management as an example.

Aboriginal traditional knowledge is used in management decisions related to species at risk, wildlife management protected areas, reporting on biodiversity, and environmental assessment. As an example, Inuit traditional knowledge has broadened current understanding of the birds and ecology of the arctic ecosystem, which is very important in making harvesting decisions.

I am very proud that the environment portfolio has been a leader in this respect. Parks Canada is recognized internationally because of the agency's work with indigenous people and its relationships with various groups.

I want to add that the Arctic Council has also put forth integrating Inuit traditional knowledge or aboriginal traditional knowledge in science as part of our two-year chairmanship, which has been accepted by the Arctic eight. All the countries that are part of the international Arctic Council forum have adopted a policy that will do better at incorporating into the science the traditional knowledge of people who have lived in the Arctic for thousands of years, followed by the United States' northern policy, which has also identified this area. I honestly think this will improve and enhance the scientific work being done on the arctic regions, as an example. I am very proud to be part of a department that is leading in these efforts with this government.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Thank you, Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Toet.

We have about two and a half minutes left. We're going to go back to the NDP, with Mr. Aubin and then Madame Freeman.

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My thanks to the minister for joining us.

I fully understand how important it is for any minister to stand up for their department and their government’s position. However, I must admit I have some difficulty in making a connection between the idyllic vision presented to us today and the reality I see on the ground.

Our environmental deficit has gone up exponentially. And since this government came to power, Canada has collected a huge number of fossil awards internationally. The first question that comes to mind is whether this is the result of a complete lack of understanding of the Canadian strategy on the part of the international community. Is it possible that Canada is not quite heading in the right direction?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

With regard to Canada, we remain committed to the climate change targets and its leadership, and of course our actions have shown this. Our latest emission trend report projects that as a result of the existing measures and actions from all levels of government, consumers and business, Canada's greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 will be reduced by 128 megatonnes, compared to where Canada's emissions are projected to be in 2020 if no measures had been taken to reduce emissions since 2005.

[Robert Aubin, NDP, Trois-Rivières, QC]

I am sorry to interrupt you, but I think I only have about 30 seconds left.

In your opening remarks, you said that, at your recent meeting in Warsaw, you received congratulations for Canada from some countries that agree with our position. Could you tell us which countries were so generous in their comments about Canadian environmental policy?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

I can use two examples. Mexico and Colombia have publicly stated that in side conversations with other countries. They have also expressed support, thanking Canada for its contributions, financially, for the initiatives they're undertaking.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Thank you very much.

I want to thank the minister for being with us today.

The time we've allocated for the first hour has expired. We're going to suspend for about three minutes, and then come right back so we can proceed with questions for the officials.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

I call the committee to order, please.

We're going to proceed with the second hour of our meeting.

Again, I want to thank our officials for remaining with us.

We're not going to start with opening statements; we're simply going to continue with our questioning. So we're going to move back to four seven-minute rounds.

We'll begin with Mr. Woodworth.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I thank the individuals who are here today representing the department, Parks Canada, and so on. It's always a pleasure. I know you have all the answers I want, so I have no hesitation in trying to dig into a few things.

One of the issues that interested me—I come from the great riding of Kitchener Centre, which is in southern Ontario, and therefore surrounded by the Great Lakes—is about the restoration of areas of concern identified in the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. In point of fact, I proposed for this committee, in furtherance of my constituents' interest in this, a study of the areas of interest or concern in the Great Lakes.

I understand some funds will be transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans regarding the restoration of areas of concern identified in the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The minister, herself, although I don't have a copy of her remarks, mentioned the Great Lakes—

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

We need a little more quiet around here so we can hear the question. Thanks.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

I'm amazed that everyone isn't listening in rapt attention to every word that comes from my mouth.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

I was trying.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

I'm probably speaking too quickly for some of my colleagues.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Stephen Woodsworth]

In any event, the minister, herself, mentioned the Lake Simcoe cleanup and also the Georgian Bay algae issue. I happen to know there's an issue regarding algae in Lake Erie as well.

I would be grateful for some understanding about the arrangement with DFO, the amount that's going to them and whether it is tagged for specific projects.