Bonjour, Mr. Chairman, members of the public and committee members.
I'm here today to speak on behalf of the Saskatchewan Mining Association.
First, thank you very much for the opportunity to appear before the committee in consideration of part 3, “Responsible Resource Development”, in Bill C-38.
I understand the focus tonight will be on reducing duplication of jurisdictions and timelines.
I'd like to start by emphasizing that our comments tonight are based on a preliminary analysis of the legislation. Further, from our experience we know that the effect of the proposed changes will depend not only on the details of the regulations and policies that we have not yet seen, but also on the implementation of those changes across Canada. We welcome the opportunity to fully participate in the development of these regulations and to have an ongoing open dialogue to ensure that the comprehensive reform required to achieve the government's goal of “one project, one review” in a clearly defined time period is realized in the implementation stages.
EAs are planning tools for projects that, if approved, will have other provincial and federal oversight as they go into operation, as has already been mentioned. With respect to the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, we were before the House of Commons committee late last year as part of the review of the current act, advocating for common-sense reform.
In particular, we advanced a number of different concepts embodied by this legislation. These include rationalizing project triggers so that administrative or routine decisions do not require an EA; respecting the principle of “one project, one process”, with a view to better use of equivalency between federal and provincial EA processes, thereby eliminating multiple EAs; and establishing timelines for EAs. In these three respects, we are of the view that the new CEAA holds a promise of additional improvements and clarity and predictability, as well as the promise of reducing duplication of process while not weakening the overall protection of the environment afforded by the current paradigm.
More specifically, we see the designated projects approach as a means to ensure that EAs are required where appropriate. The role of equivalency has been enhanced and provides the potential for provinces' EA processes to lead and reduce the duplication of federal and provincial reviews.
To facilitate the use of the equivalency provisions, it is critical that the mechanics of the process be certain and clear. Certainly, Saskatchewan's environmental regulatory regime is robust and mature, and on an outcome basis could be fully substituted for the federal EA process, particularly in sectors where the provincial government has recognized expertise.
Lastly—establish cycle times for EAs to improve the predictability and timeliness of the review—the SMA is optimistic that the proposed amendments could increase the efficiency and the effectiveness of Canada's regulatory system. We are very eager to work with the federal government to realize the potential benefits as they move forward in implementing the many amendments across all industries. Again, as already mentioned, the test will be in the details of the regulations that we haven't seen yet and how the legislation is interpreted and applied in practice.
For example, the development of a designated projects list is key to how efficient and predictable the new CEAA will be. We had previously submitted that only those activities or undertakings that would trigger a federal permit and that are not bounded by a current licence should be subject to an EA. We want to ensure that the scope of the new CEAA process does not expand so as to have unintended consequences, such that new projects or modifications to existing projects that previously would not have been subject to a federal EA end up being included in the designated project list.
I would like to speak to one comment we had provided that was included within our previous submission, but was not enacted upon within the positive reforms that we've seen to date—the extension of the positive reforms to projects primarily regulated by the CNSC.
For example, we were disappointed to learn that the federal-provincial equivalency and full substitution will not be made available to uranium mining projects under the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Further, as currently drafted, the timelines specified in the act do not apply to the projects that have federal EAs led by the CNSC, although we were very pleased to read the comments provided by the CNSC yesterday to this committee about introducing new regulations with defined timelines for rendering a decision for a licence to prepare a site and construct a uranium mine.
Last year, the Australian government reviewed and approved the coordinated federal- and state-level EA for what will be the world's largest uranium-producing mine, the expanded Olympic Dam deposit, in less than one year.
When you compare that to the more than seven years required in the latest EA to bring a new uranium mine into production in Saskatchewan, it's obvious that it is far more attractive for companies to invest in uranium projects outside of Canada that have similar environment and safety standards, but where there is a more timely return on investments. In the interest of fairness, we hope that our uranium mining members will see the same benefits that have been afforded to other mining sectors.
At this point, we are not advanced in our comments with changes to the Fisheries Act. The incorporation of means for better federal and provincial cooperation is valuable, as is the incorporation of a larger tool box for dealing with the act's absolute prohibitions, such as the possibility of regulations for proposed section 35. However, at this time, we are not clear how certain provisions of the act will work together in practice. In particular, we are concerned with the differences in wording between proposed sections 35 and 36, and the challenges this will present. We support the definition of fishery as applying to commercial, subsistence for aboriginals, and recreational fisheries. However, this is not carried through into proposed section 36. We hope to work with officials to develop greater clarity through regulations and guidance. We are hopeful that habitat banking can be part of the approach to conserve Canada's fisheries, while allowing sustainable development to continue.
With respect to SARA, the proposed changes are positive, but certainly more work needs to be done to have effective and realistic legislation. We commend the government for moving forward in recognizing that changes to SARA are required.
To summarize, I want to thank the federal government for recognizing that the existing federal environmental assessment system needed comprehensive reform, and for bringing forward legislation to implement system-wide improvements to achieve the goal of “one project, one review”, in a clearly defined time period, while upholding the pillar of environmental protection.
In closing, we are advocates for a regulatory system that reduces overlap and duplication, establishes clear timelines, and concentrates on areas where potential environmental impacts are the greatest, while ensuring that the environment is protected. My colleagues and I would welcome any questions that you have.
Thank you.