Evidence of meeting #79 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was freshwater.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
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.
Conservative
Conservative
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.
Liberal
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.
Conservative
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.
Director General, Ecosystems Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
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.
Conservative
Director General, Ecosystems Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes, I read it. That's me.
October 24th, 2023 / 11:40 a.m.
Conservative
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?
Director General, Industrial Sectors and Chemicals Directorate, Department of the Environment
Could you clarify if that's to...?
Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Canada Water Agency, Department of the Environment
I'll start with that question.
Can you tell me what you mean by non-point source pollution?
Conservative
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.
Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Canada Water Agency, Department of the Environment
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—
Conservative
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?
Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Canada Water Agency, Department of the Environment
We are continuing to take actions through the—
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
What kinds of actions? Tell us specifically one action.
Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Canada Water Agency, Department of the Environment
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.
Conservative
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.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
I'm sorry, Mr. Mazier. I hate to interrupt, but is your question for Mr. Wolfish too?
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
This current one is for anyone. Which question is she talking about?
Conservative