Environment Committee on April 19th, 2016

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Very specifically, if the minister, or perhaps Mr. Martin might be able to....

We're going through a CEAA assessment of the Pacific NorthWest LNG project right now. There are a number of first nations chiefs in Ottawa today, as you might know.

One of the questions we had about estimates was whether there are any enhancement to the participation of first nations people in these environmental assessments, and particularly towards the Pacific NorthWest project and assessment. As you know, it's somewhat controversial, and there's a number of outstanding issues around the protection of Lelu Island.

It's a question about the budget estimates during the enhancement.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

It's sort of in there.

[Catherine McKenna, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

I'm happy to take this question.

Obviously, engagement with indigenous peoples is key. I know the agency has worked extraordinarily hard in terms of all projects, but with Pacific NorthWest, they are working extraordinarily hard. I think there are five communities, am I right? Or is it six?

[Ron Hallman, President, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency]

Five.

[Catherine McKenna, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

There are five communities that are directly affected. We've been working with the different communities to get their views, consult, to engage with them.

I will ask the head of CEAA to provide some comments in that regard.

[Ron Hallman]

Madam Chair, in terms of funding for the indigenous groups to participate in the EA, the agency has funds to provide participant funding monies to those groups that wish to participate at various stages throughout the EA process. Each time we go back to consult with them again, we make monies available as well.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Okay, thank you.

Ms. Gladu.

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

I just have one question, and it's about infrastructure to support the damage that we're seeing in the permafrost. I saw some horrific photos. Is there any money in this budget to go towards that infrastructure?

[Catherine McKenna, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

You're talking about the permafrost that is melting, which is a very significant issue with indigenous communities. We are committed to supporting adaptation. There is funding.

We are also going through the process with the provinces and territories. I have spoken with the ITK, representing the Inuit. They are very engaged with this process. Northern communities generally are weighing into this, and we will be looking at what more we can do to address adaptation.

That is a really important point. It's not just about how we reduce emissions. We have already seen, in particular with indigenous peoples, that their lifestyle is under threat.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Okay.

Mr. Shields, quickly, because I'm trying to focus on getting to vote on the main estimates.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

On money for funding invasive species, we deal with the municipalities ending up in the province with aquatic zebra mussels and the rest of it. You have invasive species, but I don't see any money in there to deal with the issue.

[Catherine McKenna, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Protection of our freshwater is absolutely key.

There is funding. I will refer to my deputy, who seems to have it right there, to talk about this.

[Michael Martin]

There was one specific commitment made in budget 2016. It was $197.1 million over five years for Fisheries and Oceans to increase ocean and freshwater science monitoring, and research overall.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

It doesn't do anything about invasive species.

There are zebra mussels—

[Michael Martin]

There is an existing program.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Thank you.

Mr. Cullen, very brief.

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Very briefly, there were some program cuts in that budget you referred to earlier, Mr. Martin, with respect to the global environmental monitoring system, GEMS, as it's often known. Is that funding going to be replaced?

A second question is that there were cuts to the environmental emergencies program as well. Are those funding cuts going to be replaced in 2016 in your estimates?

[Michael Martin]

The answer to both questions is no.

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Can we ask why?

[Michael Martin]

The GEMS program is run by UNEP. We remain a part of it. We contribute science in support of the GEMS program. Previously, we were actually the host of the GEMS program. We are not renewing that. That was a decision taken some years ago.

Specifically on environmental emergencies, we looked hard at our business model on environmental emergencies to try to find the most effective way to do it, and we consolidated all our efforts into a single centre in Montreal. It's highly technology enabled. We believe it provides a superior level of service.

However, there are issues related to implementation in terms of how we quickly ensure that we have people on the ground to respond, to help, to contribute to the response of an environmental emergency. We are continuing to look at that.

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

That was the specific question: we have not lost any people on the ground. When that program was cut, there was great concern about it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Mr. Cullen—

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Yes, really what we're supposed to be doing at this point in time... We had quite a few rounds of questioning, and I gave additional rounds of questioning so that you could get at some of those things. Right now, however, we're trying to vote on the main estimates. Let me move into that, please, so that we don't run out of time.

While we're doing that, Minister, thank you for giving us so much time with your department heads. We really appreciate it and the excellent answers to our questions. There's obviously lots more discussion to be had, and you've left the door open for us to keep the dialogue going with you and your department.

[Catherine McKenna, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

I want to thank all of you for all your hard work; I really appreciate it. Regardless of what party you're from, I know you're all committed to protecting our environment and tackling climate change and growing a clean economy.

Thank you. I look forward to your suggestions on a whole range of issues.