When we were talking about the EDF, we also heard from Mr. Bill Taylor from the ASF, with respect to the Environmental Damages Fund, that:
This will not be the cash cow that some profess it to be. A substantial reduction in penalties has occurred, and this is expected to continue.
As well:
Without clear legal and scientific underpinnings, it will be impossible to get a conviction in the courts. In fact, there will be too much uncertainty in the definitions of serious harm and/or permanent damage for a judge to make a definitive ruling, or for habitat staff to lay a charge, for that matter.
Can you talk to us a little bit about that? I don't recall anybody ever stating that it was going to be a certain amount of money or anything, but just that these fines would be used in that manner. But the penalties, I thought, had been increased under this legislation, and minimums put in place.
Can you talk a bit about that?