Environment Committee on Oct. 24th, 2023

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

After all, Mr. Chair, he's an important witness who's unable to comment right now.

I have questions for him too, and for Mr. Mazier as well.

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

I can continue on. I mean, I agree.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

If we can't establish a high-quality connection, let's suspend until the problem's solved. He is the assistant deputy minister after all.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

All right. We will suspend briefly and see if we can solve the problem.

Go ahead, Mr. Mazier, with questioning other witnesses, please.

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

I'll ask the same question of the witnesses who are front of us and can communicate with us today. Did anybody read the report and assessment, and what did they learn from it?

Ms. Ladell, I see you're interested.

[Kate Ladell]

I can tell you that I did read the report. Similar to ECCC, we also accept the decision, noting that any amendments that would be needed fall within the purview of ECCC and the Impact Assessment Agency. We will absolutely consider any implications to any legislative changes and regulations that we could contemplate flowing from it. Thank you.

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

Just give a yes or no. DFO, did you read it?

[Kate Ladell]

Yes, I read it. That's me.

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

Are you DFO? Oh, okay. Who's around the corner here? Who is Taylor Bachrach?

Mr. Harper, have you read the report?

It's the same response. Okay. I'm on to another question.

ECCC, what is your plan to deal with non-point source pollution?

[Cecile Siewe]

Could you clarify if that's to...?

[Daniel Wolfish]

I'll start with that question.

Can you tell me what you mean by non-point source pollution?

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

Non-point sources would be fertilizers on agricultural lands, pesticides on agriculture lands and forests, contaminants in rain and snow, and dry atmospheric fallout.

[Daniel Wolfish]

Thank you.

I'll start and then will invite my colleagues from other parts of Environment and Climate Change Canada to engage.

From the perspective of the Canada water agency, part of the freshwater action plan is that we've established five freshwater ecosystem initiatives. The purposes of those freshwater ecosystem initiatives are to work with a variety of partners, provinces and territories, and indigenous communities around understanding sources of—

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

Excuse me. I have limited time here.

Have you done anything, or is it just a plan?

[Daniel Wolfish]

We are continuing to take actions through the—

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

What kinds of actions? Tell us specifically one action.

[Daniel Wolfish]

We're working on creating ecosystem initiatives across the country to work with partners on where the sources of pollution can be and how we can restore habitat, each place requiring its own initiatives and plans.

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

Thank you.

Again, this is for anyone.

Harmful algae blooms in Lake Erie were much larger than predicted this last year. A recent report by York University noted that more algae blooms are likely in Lake Erie.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I'm sorry, Mr. Mazier. I hate to interrupt, but is your question for Mr. Wolfish too?

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

It was for ECCC.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

We don't know whether he can answer it.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

That's because the connection still isn't good.

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

This current one is for anyone. Which question is she talking about?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The one you're just asking now.

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

This question is for anyone.