Evidence of meeting #39 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was forecasting.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Executive Director, Legislative Governance, Department of the Environment
What I would suggest is that the section 35 obligation arises when there is a potential for there to be an effect on rights.
Executive Director, Legislative Governance, Department of the Environment
I think the development of this strategy and the elements that are enumerated for the strategy speak to the creation of a strategy. I'm not sure, and we would have to look at it in more detail—
Conservative
Ellis Ross Conservative Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
That would be great if we could actually define that, so first nations aren't misled. That would be great if you can provide the committee with an answer.
I'll turn the time over to Mr. Bexte.
Conservative
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
Thank you very much colleagues.
Welcome, witnesses. I appreciate your time today. Time is short, so we're getting close to the end.
I would like to speak a little bit about the agriculture side, but this bridges over so feel free to chime in. Recently at the agriculture committee, there's been a lot of discussion regarding business risk management. I'd like to have an understanding of how or if improved forecasting, as we're discussing here today, could reduce long-term federal liabilities under disaster assistance programs by improving preparedness.
Director, Science and Technology Branch, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Thank you for the question.
As part of the strategy—if enacted—I think there is a provision about having more engagement and a better assessment of gaps and opportunities. That could help us to have a better system for forecasting and drought. Currently, Ag Canada has those programs, the BRM programs, but I would say that it's still too early to determine how that would have an impact on our BRM programs and what we need.
Conservative
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
This is what we're getting at. We've already said here today that Ag Canada is responsible for drought forecasting and ECCC for flood forecasting. There's some relationship, but specifically, ag business risk management is mostly concerned with drought forecasting. I'm really interested in what you might have there, if you can inform us some more.
That leads us to our next question. Has Ag Canada quantified the economic losses to producers that could be caused by insufficient forecasting?
Director, Science and Technology Branch, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
I just want to highlight that the BRM programs are not only specific to the drought. They are linked to the other emergencies.
Conservative
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
Agreed, but we're within the context today of drought forecasting.
Director, Science and Technology Branch, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
I think it could provide more information if you have better forecasting or enhanced forecasting systems, but—
Conservative
Director, Science and Technology Branch, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
No, not at this point.
Conservative
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
Okay. I guess that answers my next question. How would the department measure success, and is a national forecasting strategy improving resilience or not?
Director, Science and Technology Branch, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Absolutely. To me, for example, as part of the bill, if enacted, there is a provision to develop a strategy and then report on it. As part of that development, I think we will be working on what those measures would be. It's still too early to know what those concrete measures are.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shannon Miedema
Thank you very much, Mr. Bexte.
Last but not least, we'll turn to Mr. Bains for five minutes.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Richmond East—Steveston, BC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you to our witnesses for joining us today. I feel like I've had the opportunity to work with each of your departments.
My hometown, Richmond, British Columbia, is technically below sea level. It has a pretty robust diking system and pump stations. I've had the opportunity to bring a lot of support from government programs into the city to continue protecting it. Richmond is made up of 22 islands, and this includes the YVR, the airport. It includes an industrial island, Mitchell Island, where there are lumber mills. A considerable amount of logistics takes place there. It's part of our 16 communities that make up the largest port network in the country.
It also has the largest commercial fishing harbour and brings in 100 million pounds of seafood annually. It's 110 million pounds now, with seafood, fish and crab. Just the harbour itself generates over $220 million for our region in economic output. For us and for Canada, it's an important region.
My question may be for anyone, but I'm looking at Dr. Deep. Agriculture is also 50% of the area I represent. We have the largest cranberry producers. We have blueberries, and we have dairy. Anything with respect to this framework is extremely important to this region.
Maybe I can ask each of you to weigh in—I'll begin with Mr. Vu—on how this framework will help ensure the economic supply chain and the corridors. Quite frankly, a lot of the corridors are made up of water, with the mighty Fraser River there, the working river. Can you talk a bit about how the supply chain routes and the infrastructure will be protected through this framework?
Director General, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Department of Natural Resources
Thank you for the question. I can't really speak to the bill or the framework, but I can tell you what we are currently doing and how we are collaborating with British Columbians.
We work very collaboratively with B.C. We have a cost-sharing program with them for flood mapping. We have over 11 projects with them. We've already completed 11 maps that impact 81 communities. We are targeting to have maps to support over 60 communities. As well, every time there is a flood, Natural Resources Canada provides support to first responders in every province. Since 2018, we've provided 39 emergency flood maps for first responders in B.C.
We've heard from our colleagues in British Columbia. We did a survey in 2025 to better understand how the collaborative work is progressing. B.C. has highlighted the importance of the partnership. They would likely continue working on floods but at a reduced pace without continued federal support.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Richmond East—Steveston, BC
Explain that. Is it a reduced pace because of federal support? Do they not have money?
Director General, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Department of Natural Resources
The FHIM program goes to 2028. It ends in 2028. Flood maps expire. Ideally, they would be renewed every five to 10 years. As the funding runs out, work will need to be continued. About half the provinces have said that they question whether or not they can continue. The other half have said that they would continue but at a reduced rate without the FHIM program.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Richmond East—Steveston, BC
I'm curious. Do you work with MDA Space at all? It's also situated in Richmond.
Director General, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Department of Natural Resources
We do, yes.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Richmond East—Steveston, BC
Is that for the geospatial things you spoke about earlier?
Director General, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Department of Natural Resources
Yes, we work very closely with them in the geospatial space. We work very closely with the Canadian Space Agency from the satellite perspective, and with Natural Resources Canada from the ground station perspective. A lot of our geospatial data comes from satellites and technology from ground stations and remote sensing. We partner quite heavily with the private sector to make sure we are up to date.
Liberal
Parm Bains Liberal Richmond East—Steveston, BC
Are you familiar with the region I talked about—the Fraser River? Do you consider that a supply chain corridor?