Environment Committee on Oct. 18th, 2016

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

No. We started late and I want to make sure that we get in as many questions as we can.

Mr. Stetski.

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Thank you.

It's wonderful to have you here with us.

I have a question, and I guess I'll start with our friends from the Cree Nation. In terms of ocean protection and marine areas, what kinds of activities do you think would be appropriate in marine protected areas?

Perhaps we could start with Ms. Tétreault.

[Chantal Otter Tétreault]

Development activities or...?

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

I mean just in general when you think of a marine protected area near Moose Factory, for example, or anywhere in that area.

[Chantal Otter Tétreault]

I'm thinking about having to develop a land use plan, because I'm interim chair of the Eeyou Marine Region Planning Commission. In terms of activities, there's not much in terms of development like you would see in the Northwest Passage. There's not that type of development that is threatening the James Bay and Hudson Bay area.

If anything, the Crees of Eeyou Istchee in northern Quebec would like to see some active tourism in the future. We're working closely with Parks Canada right now to develop a protected area. That's one thing that has been in the works for quite a long time. We're just trying to see what's out there. We're not closing the door to any other types of development. There's some talk of fibre optics marine cable to be brought into the marine area.

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

So you would like to see some marine protected areas in that part as well?

[Chantal Otter Tétreault]

Yes.

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

For Moose Factory?

[Chantal Otter Tétreault]

I'll let Jack take that.

[Jack Rickard, Director of Lands and Resources, Moose Cree First Nation]

Thanks.

Could you repeat the question?

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

One of the things we're looking at, of course, is support for developing marine protected areas in trying to reach the 10% marine as well as the 17% land. I'm interested in areas that you would like to see protected and also in what kinds of activities you think are appropriate within a marine protected area once it's established.

[Jack Rickard]

I think one of the things we're striving for is to identify key areas that are important for fish and the local fisheries and also to monitor any impacts coming into the area, such as invasive species, and try to deal with those issues when they become known to the community.

The main focus, as I said, is to monitor the local fisheries and to ensure they are still plentiful for the people who are active out on the land.

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

One of the things we've heard from a number of first nations is that the agreement to create some protected areas, whether they be land or water, can be considered part of reconciliation. I'm wondering whether you see that in the same way.

[Jack Rickard]

That would be a step forward with regard to addressing reconciliation. In the past, some actions were taken against the younger people, but with regard to reconciliation, I think it's very important to bring our way of life back to the younger generation, as well as to those who have endured the effects of that era.

I think there is a strong emphasis, from a first nation perspective, that we need to revive our culture with regard to activities on the land.

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

How much time do I have?

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

You have about a minute and a half.

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Earlier on, you also mentioned the impacts of climate change. I'm just curious as to what you're seeing on the land around climate change and how you think protected areas can help mitigate that.

[Chantal Otter Tétreault]

To speak about the coast, we've seen evidence of climate change in ice patterns and in ice changes in terms of transportation. A lot of accidents have happened along the bays. It's too early to say whether these protected areas could help that or how that could happen. I'm sure programs that could be set up within these marine protected areas for safe travel would help.

[Wayne Stetski, NDP, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

How about in the Moose Factory area? What sorts of changes have you seen happening?

[Jack Rickard]

The main thing is the importance of the winter roads that link the communities. We see later seasons; it's January when you're able to take heavy equipment out on the road to prepare the construction. The other issue we see is thaw...what's the word I'm looking for?

[A voice]

Permafrost?

[Jack Rickard]

Yes, permafrost. It is thawing out near the river systems and causes landslides into the rivers.

I'm not too sure how to address those issues, such as the permafrost thawing out. I think it's more that we have to adapt with regard to how we proceed in preparing these winter roads throughout the winter.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

I have to cut that off there. Thank you very much.

We are now going over to Mr. Bossio.

[Mike Bossio, Liberal, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you very much for being here today and, once again, for an insightful and great discussion.

I am very fortunate to have visited Mistissini twice, once in 1986 and then again in 2005. There's been an incredible difference in that time period in the village of Mistissini itself. It's wonderful to see the changes that have occurred over that 20-year period.

In your presentation, you mentioned the guardians of the land having knowledge of conservation.

Do you have the guardians program as part of your communities? Are you familiar with the guardians program?

[Chantal Otter Tétreault]

That's a word that we like to embrace, but we don't use it in terms of.... Maybe there is a program, but it's a nice way of saying that we're stewards of the land but we also see ourselves as guardians. No, I'm not aware of that program.

Do you know, Geoff?