Environment Committee on Oct. 24th, 2023

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I now call this meeting to order.

Good morning, everyone.

I would like to welcome the representatives of four departments who are with us.

Setting aside normal decorum, I will not name every one of you because that would take too much time. However, I would like to thank you for being here on quite short notice, since you received our invitation just last week.

This is the inaugural meeting for our much anticipated study, or at least it is for me, on federal freshwater policy. We will begin with opening statements, which will be limited to a maximum of seven minutes, starting with a representative of the Department of the Environment. I don't know who will be taking the floor. I assume Mr. Wolfish will speak for the department.

Is that correct?

[Daniel Wolfish, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Canada Water Agency, Department of the Environment]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It's nice to see you again, Mr. Wolfish. Actually, Monique Pauzé and I saw you at the University of Toronto about a month ago.

[Daniel Wolfish]

Indeed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Please go ahead. The floor is yours for seven minutes.

[Daniel Wolfish]

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee.

As you said, my name is Daniel Wolfish and I am the acting Assistant Deputy Minister for the Canada water agency, a branch within Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Thank you for accommodating my travel to Winnipeg and for enabling me to participate virtually.

I am honoured to be joining you today from Treaty No. 1 Territory, the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Ininew, Oji-Cree, Dene, and Dakota; the birthplace of the Métis Nation and Homeland of the Red River Métis.

I am joined today by David Harper, Director General Monitoring and Data Services at the Meteorological Service of Environment Canada, Joanne Volk, Director General Water Science and Technology, Cecile Siewe, Director General Industrial Sectors and Chemicals, and Caroline Blais, Executive Director Forest Products and Fisheries Act.

No resource is more important to Canadians than fresh, clean water. Our lives and livelihoods depend on it.

For many Indigenous Peoples, water is sacred, a source of life that plays a central role in Indigenous cultures, ceremonial practices, governance, and welfare. This freshwater study provides an opportunity to continue to show our commitment and leadership in addressing freshwater issues.

The Government of Canada is commited to safeguarding freshwater resources for generations to come. Environment and Climate Change Canada has a mandate to work on freshwater under several Acts. The department has roles related to freshwater governance, policy, science, stewardship, monitoring and prediction, and regulation and enforcement.

Much of this work is done in close collaboration with provinces and territories, and Indigenous rights-holders, given complex jurisdiction for water in Canada. We are also commited to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Beyond Environment and Climate Change Canada, many other federal departments and agencies have freshwater-related mandates and I know the Commitee will be hearing from some of them today and later this week.

This freshwater study comes at a time when the Government of Canada and many Canadians recognize that it is critical that we work together to find the best ways to keep Canada’s freshwater safe and well managed. This includes engaging in a meaningful way with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis to advance reconciliation in relation to freshwater in a consistent and coordinated manner across the federal government.

In Canada, freshwater is integral to our economy, society, identity and culture, and is central to Indigenous livelihoods and cultural practices. Canada has the third largest renewable supply of freshwater in the world, about 7% of the global renewable supply.

While Canada is a water-rich country, a significant amount of Canada’s renewable freshwater supply is not easily accessible. Much of Canada’s freshwater is stored as ice and about 60% of Canada’s freshwater flows north into the Arctic Ocean, away from the majority of the population.

Canada is also home to many unique freshwater ecosystems. For example, the Great Lakes watershed, shared by Canada and the United States, is the largest freshwater lake system in the world.

Canadians are concerned over the increasing frequency and magnitude of freshwater challenges due to climate change, particularly after experiencing the floods, the droughts and the fire events of this past summer.

Hence, in 2019, in his mandate letter, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada was directed to create a new Canada water agency to work together with provinces, territories, indigenous communities, local authorities, scientists and others to find the best ways to keep our water safe, clean and well managed. This commitment was reaffirmed in subsequent mandate letters, budgets and speeches from the throne.

Engagement over the past three years on the Canada water agency indicates strong support for federal policies to promote effective management and protection of freshwater resources, as well as for climate change adaptation. This freshwater study will help inform the best ways to achieve these goals.

I would like now to take a moment to highlight some of the work that the federal government is doing to protect vital resources, again noting there is a vast amount of work led by different parts of the government.

The Canada water agency has now been created as a branch within Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The federal government has also committed to introducing legislation that will fully establish the Canada water agency as a stand-alone agency with the headquarters in Winnipeg, where I am today.

The Canada water agency has a mandate to improve freshwater management in Canada by providing leadership, effective collaboration federally, and improved coordination and collaboration with provinces, territories and indigenous peoples to proactively address national and regional transboundary water challenges and opportunities.

To this end, the agency will deliver key elements of the strengthened freshwater action plan. This is a key freshwater protection initiative led by Environment and Climate Change Canada, with partners for decades, that received significant funding in budget 2023, including $650 million over 10 years starting in 2023-24, to support monitoring, assessment and restoration work in eight water bodies of national significance across Canada.

Budget 2023 also provided $22.6 million over three years, starting in this fiscal year, to support better coordination of efforts to protect fresh water across Canada, $85.1 million over five years and $21 million ongoing to support the creation of the agency.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Thank you, Mr. Wolfish. I think we will have to stop there.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Chair, I just want to note that the interpreter says that the connection isn't very good.

Were the tests done before the meeting?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It appears so.

We will now hear from another witness, and we will check to see if the audio is satisfactory.

I assume that Ms. Ladell will deliver the opening statement on behalf of the Department of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

I couldn't see your name. My line of sight is blocked by the television screen.

Go ahead, Ms. Ladell.

[Kate Ladell, Director General, Ecosystems Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans]

Thank you.

Hello and good morning, Mr. Chair and committee members.

My name is Kate Ladell, and I am the director general of ecosystems management at Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

I'm joined today by Hilary Oakman, the acting regional director for aquatic ecosystems in the Ontario and Prairies region. She is on the screen, joining us remotely.

I appreciate the opportunity to appear before this committee on behalf of the Department to provide you with information about Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s role in supporting the management of freshwater.

Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that I'm grateful to be joining you here on the unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin people and recognize the long-standing relationship that indigenous people have with the lands and waters of Canada.

Canada is the steward of 20% of the world's fresh water, home to seven of the world's 15 largest lakes. This includes four of the five Great Lakes, representing 84% of fresh water in North America.

Canada's economy and its future growth depend on the sustainable use and management of our freshwater resources and the ecosystems on which they depend.

It is important to ensure that this valuable resource is managed sustainably to ensure that these benefits are maintained.

Freshwater management is complex, as it is shared between the federal, provincial and territorial governments and, in the case of transboundary waters, with international partners such as the United States.

Important consideration is given to indigenous peoples, and Canada's Constitution recognizes and affirms the existing aboriginal and treaty rights of first nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is one of more than 20 federal departments and agencies responsible for freshwater management.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for the sustainable management of fisheries, the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat, the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity, the prevention of aquatic invasive species, and the delivery of science to understand and protect the health of aquatic ecosystems.

There are key pieces of legislation that provide a legal basis for conserving and protecting fish and fish habitat. These are the Fisheries Act and the Species at Risk Act, as well as the aquatic invasive species regulations of the Fisheries Act. I will quickly provide a brief overview of how this works in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The fish and fish habitat protection program is responsible for administering the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act, the relevant provisions of the Species at Risk Act, and the associated regulations, policies, guidelines and practices, to ensure compliance with development projects taking place in and around water.

It also provides funding to indigenous communities to participate in the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat.

The Species at Risk Program works to implement the provisions for the protection, recovery and conservation of listed wildlife species and their critical habitats and residences.

The program also provides funding through transfer payment programs for projects that contribute to the recovery and conservation of species and their habitats, while encouraging partnerships between different organizations.

Aquatic Invasive Species Programs work to prevent, control or eradicate aquatic invasive species.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada also plays an active role in the development, support and implementation of internationally coordinated programs in the Great Lakes and other boundary waters. Canada and the United States have a long history of successful co-operation, with 10 water management treaties in place. Fisheries and Oceans Canada plays an important role in the majority of these international agreements, including the binational Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Environment and Climate Change Canada leads the implementation of this agreement on behalf of the Government of Canada. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is an active partner and co-leads the aquatic and invasive species annex with the United States to meet Canada's commitments.

Regarding the binational treaty on the 1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries, which established the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, DFO supports the work of the commission. It is a signatory to the joint strategic plan for the management of Great Lakes fisheries, and it delivers the Canadian portion of the binational sea lamprey control efforts.

We contribute to Canada's work under the Boundary Waters Treaty in areas associated with fish and fish habitat. We participate on domestic transboundary water boards and in agreements that support regional freshwater management in transboundary basins such as Lake Winnipeg. For example, the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health is the domestic agreement between Canada and Ontario. It supports the binational Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to restore, protect and conserve water quality and ecosystem health in the Great Lakes. DFO co-leads the aquatic invasive species annex and supports the habitat and species annex of the protecting habitat and species priority.

In closing, the Government of Canada, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is committed to working with other federal departments and agencies, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous peoples, and other partners to fulfill its commitment to protect, enhance, and restore the biodiversity and health of Canada's freshwater environments through an integrated ecosystem approach that supports the sustainable use of aquatic resources.

Thank you for your attention. I am happy to answer any questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Thank you very much, Ms. Ladell.

We'll go now to Mr. Sumit Gera, senior director of Canadian geospatial data infrastructure under the Department of Natural Resources.

Mr. Gera, go ahead, please.

[Sumit Gera, Senior Director, Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure, Department of Natural Resources]

Good morning, Chair and committee members.

First, thank you for giving Natural Resources Canada an opportunity to speak on its role on fresh water. I'd also like to recognize that I am speaking to you from the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. We recognize indigenous people as the customary keepers and defenders of the Ottawa River watershed and its tributaries. We honour their long history of welcoming many nations to this beautiful territory and uphold and uplift the voice and values of our host nations.

As noted, I am Sumit Gera, the senior director for the Canada centre for mapping and earth observation, which is part of the strategic policy and innovation sector in Natural Resources Canada. Today, I can speak to CCMEO as the lead in providing authoritative and core geospatial data and flood plain mapping. While we don't specialize in fresh water, we have many directly and indirectly related initiatives.

For example, through our emergency geomatics services, NRCan provides critical, near real-time emergency mapping and information to Public Safety Canada and first responders during ice breakups and flooding events.

Aside from emergency flood maps, NRCan is also responsible for the flood hazard identification and mapping program known as FHIMP, which aims to meet mandated commitments to collaborate with provinces and territories to complete engineered flood hazard maps and innovate with supporting partners to advance flood hazard information coverage throughout Canada.

The distinction between that service and the emergency program is that the emergency services are more of a reactive response, and the flood hazard mapping program is an area of proactivity. Many flood maps and studies will be located along freshwater—

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

On a point of order, can we get the right name in front of the witness?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It is, I—

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

It's Taylor Bachrach, from what I see.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Oh, no, it's Sumit Gera.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

It's a different guy.

I know it's not Taylor. If you want to change it, go ahead.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Go ahead, Mr. Gera.

[Sumit Gera]

Many flood maps and studies will be located along freshwater bodies throughout Canada and will use further existing research at these locations.

We have recently launched our flood mapping portal, in which flood hazard maps and information from the FHIMP will be publicly accessible to inform local decision-making in support of land use planning, flood mitigation, adapting to climate change and protection of lives and properties.

NRCan hosts much of its flood mapping data on the open geospatial data portal, geo.ca, with other foundational data. Such data includes the Canadian hydrospatial network, formerly known as the national hydrographic network. It provides foundational base data that represents Canada's surface water features such as lakes, rivers and watersheds and the connections between them, which is intended to inform water and watershed management. Also included in the data on the portal is the flood susceptibility index, the FSI, which uses innovative machine learning to showcase flood-prone areas. Eventually, a pan-Arctic wetland inventory map, which we're working on, will also be provided on the portal. It will provide a more accurate understanding of the extent of coverage of wetlands across the Arctic using standardized data structure and management protocols.

Aside from hosting core data and geospatial layers, tools and freshwater and flood-related research, NRCan also hosts and leads the creation of the federal flood mapping guidelines series with the flood mapping community and is developing flood mapping standards.

Notably, CCMEO has long been informed by its work with the Canadian Council on Geomatics and the Canadian Geomatics Accord. The Canadian Council on Geomatics promotes co-operation with provinces and territories and the exchange of geospatial data to reduce the duplication of efforts and facilitate easy access to information for all Canadians.

Under the Resources and Technical Surveys Act and the Department of Natural Resources Act, NRCan follows its duties towards completing technical surveys, developing and using remote sensing, and furthering the sustainable development and management of natural resources.

Work is also under way within NRCan's Geological Survey of Canada. For example, NRCan has conducted a national level groundwater assessment using regional and national-scale groundwater and surface water modelling and remote sensing technologies. The Geological Survey of Canada has also partnered with Canada1Water, which is a fully integrated surface and groundwater model demonstrating water interactions and balances, which can be used to inform adaptation decisions.

I am also joined by my colleague Sylvain Vallières, who's online from Sherbrooke. He's the program manager for the flood hazard identification mapping program and a deputy director in the branch. We are very happy to support the committee and will endeavour to answer any questions you may have regarding our work.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Thank you very much, Mr. Gera.

We'll go now to the Department of Transport, and I believe it's Isa Gros-Louis who will be delivering remarks, for seven minutes.

[Isa Gros-Louis, Director General, Indigenous Relations and Navigation Protection, Department of Transport]

Kwe, bonjour. Good morning, Chair and members. I too want to recognize the unceded territories of the Algonquin and Anishinabe peoples on whose land we are meeting today. I want to recognize past, present and future generations, and I ask permission to leave my footprint on their territory.

My name is Isa Gros-Louis, and I am the Director General of Indigenous Relations and Navigation Protection at Transport Canada.

I am pleased to be here today to speak about Transport Canada’s role and commitment to keep our water safe, clean, and well managed.

I am joined today by my colleague Joanna Manger, Director General, Marine Safety and Security.

As the lead department for all transportation issues, policies and programs that promote safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation, Transport Canada recognizes the value and importance of freshwater to the economy, health, and well-being of Canadians. To support these goals, Transport Canada administers several Acts, supported by comprehensive regulatory regimes to protect this valuable resource.

Allow me to provide you with an overview of this regime. The Canada Shipping Act, 2001, governs the safety of marine transportation, recreational boating, and protection of the marine environment, including bodies of freshwater where shipping or recreational boating activities takes place.

There is a comprehensive set of regulations in place, the vessel pollution and dangerous chemicals regulations, that address vessel operations that could impact aquatic environments.

These operations include discharges of oil and noxious liquid substances, air emissions, sewage and grey water, garbage, antifouling marine pollutants and pollutant substances. These regulations are modelled after the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, also known as MARPOL, developed by member states of the International Maritime Organization.

In addition, the Minister of Transport can make interim orders under the Canada Shipping Act to implement further protections when priority issues arise, such as the recent measures to address discharges of grey water and sewage from cruise ships in nearshore waters.

Under the ballast water regulations, domestic and international vessels are required to manage and treat their ballast water, which is used for safety and stability, to reduce the inadvertent introduction and spread of invasive species. These regulations include special protection for our valuable freshwater lakes and rivers, notably the Great Lakes.

On this issue in particular, Transport Canada is contributing up to $12.5 million to industry-led research and development projects to optimize ballast water technology for the conditions found in Canada.

I should also acknowledge that Transport Canada and our American counterparts cooperate under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement on compatible rules for vessel discharges, notably oil, ballast water, wastewater and sewage to ensure protections for one of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystems.

For oil spill response, the Canada Shipping Act along with its Response Organization Regulations and the Environmental Response Regulations provide for preparedness and capacity to respond to spills on the Great Lakes and inland waters. The regulations have led to the establishment of industry-funded and government-certified Response Organizations that ensure readiness to respond to marine oil spills.

The Canadian Navigable Waters Act allows the department to take meaningful actions to protect the environment and to safeguard the social and cultural value of all navigable waters in Canada.

Transport Canada supports environmental assessment processes led by the Impact Assessment Agency, provinces and territories, and Indigenous governments and works in collaboration with other federal departments, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, to ensure that potential impacts on the environment, including freshwater ecosystems, are mitigated, and that the constitutionally protected rights and interests of Indigenous peoples are addressed.

Additionally, the Canadian Navigable Waters Act supports the protection of freshwater ecosystems by prohibiting the actions of throwing or depositing various materials in waters that flow into navigable waters and prohibiting the dewatering of a navigable water.

Under section 26.1 of the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, Transport Canada continues to advance research, including indigenous-led studies such as the navigational study within the Moose Cree homeland, to identify the sources, risks and potential mitigation measures for navigability and usage impacting access to fish and hunting grounds.

A key measure under Canada's oceans protection plan, the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act is central to addressing vessels of concern, including wrecked, abandoned, hazardous, worn-down or dilapidated boats that can create issues for local public health and safety, the environment and the economy. They can also contaminate our waters, impact local tourism and shipping routes, and affect the marine ecosystem.

Under the act, Transport Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans through the Canadian Coast Guard work together to take proactive actions to address or prevent the negative impacts of vessels of concern on Canada's coastal and shoreline communities. Most importantly, the act strengthens vessel owner responsibility and liability; addresses irresponsible vessel management, including a prohibition on vessel abandonment; and enhances federal powers to take proactive action on hazardous vessels.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Thank you, Ms. Gros-Louis. You have exceeded your allotted time, but you will definitely have an opportunity to explain the work your department does in response to the many questions asked.

I want to thank all those who have made opening statements. You've managed to provide us with a helpful overview of a wide-ranging issue.

Now it's time for questions. We will begin the first round with Mr. Mazier.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Thank you, Chair, and thank you to the witnesses for coming here today.

This is for ECCC. As of today, does the government continue to authorize the dumping of raw sewage into Canadian lakes and rivers?

[Cecile Siewe, Director General, Industrial Sectors and Chemicals Directorate, Department of the Environment]

Thank you for the question. I think the short answer is, no, we do not.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Is it allowed?