Evidence of meeting #106 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was funding.
A video is available from Parliament.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
I don't want a breakdown. I just want to know the overall number.
Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Based on the information we have, approximately $150 million has been spent to date.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
How much of that has been spent on oil spill response, specifically?
Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
The OPP is to ramp up our capacity. The oil spill response is part of our A-base numbers. I can get back to you with the exact amount of money we spend on oil spill response.
Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
We'll get back to you with the exact amount of money we spent on oil spill response for last year.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Okay, thank you.
How much has been spent on the Pacific coast?
Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
We'll get that to you as well.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
I guess it's going to be hard for you to answer this next question.
What exactly has the money for oil spill response on the Pacific coast been spent on? Is it equipment or research, and what type?
Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
For the response, per se, we'll give you the answer. For the oceans protection plan, for the buying of new equipment and supporting the oceans protection plan for the Coast Guard, it's about $60 million. That includes buying new equipment, and the work to upgrade our operational networks, and to make the marine communication traffic services system more reliable and not reliant on third parties. Some of it, as well, went to the emergency towing vessel that we are in the bid evaluation process for. We should announce the contract award likely later this month and the start of operations would be in the fall.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Thank you.
Through the OPP's enhanced preparedness and response capability, the department will undertake science research to evaluate how various oil products behave when spilled in different environmental conditions to help inform risk assessments and decision-making.
How has the department advanced preparedness and response capability?
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I might touch on a first part of it. One of the things that has been interesting, through the science part of the department is that we really have been looking at the fate and behaviour of oil in water. Actually, our science folks let us know yesterday that Canada is participating, and DFO specifically, in some international science trials with Norway looking at exactly how oil behaves in water and we're trying to then make sure we apply that though our oceans protection plan.
Mario may have the details on the update, but I just wanted to give you that science update because it is something that's recurring.
The other thing, as we look across—
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Sorry, could I jump in and ask about, specifically, diluted bitumen. Do we know if that sinks or floats in ocean conditions?
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
In the responses that we've seen through science—and we'd actually be very happy to provide you with that work—we're not seeing, as I recall, characteristics of that substance very different from other substances. Some of the science work is ongoing and, as I say, Canada is leading through DFO with our scientists. We're really focused on that as part of our OPP science investment.
Mario, do you have anything to add there?
Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
The work is ongoing. What we notice is that the behaviour doesn't tend to deviate from the product we already know. As a matter of fact, depending on, again, the temperature and the type of water, sea water or fresh water, it will vary a little bit, but it will float on the water initially to give time to the response organizations to do a proper response.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
How long will it float for? Can you forward the committee the study that tells us this?
Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
For the research to date, we'll see what we can provide, yes.
Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
We're talking about days and weeks, not hours. I wouldn't want to put an exact number of days, but it's days and weeks.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
You're saying that if a large spill happens, let's say, dilbit—diluted bitumen—would float for weeks.
Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Depending on the conditions: the sea state, the water temperature.... Some of the research that was done was on calm water, but we'll get you some more details.
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Okay, thanks.
On the fisheries and aquaculture programs, budget 2018 announced $11 million over two years. How is this investment reflected in the main estimates?
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Thank you very much for the question.
Philippe?
Philippe Morel Assistant Deputy Minister, Aquatic Ecosystems Sector, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
We already have the process and approval to spend the money. It's in the DFO budget. I don't know exactly which page it is, but it's the renewal of the sustainable aquaculture program that was done for two years to allow us the time to respond to the CESD report and to make sure that, when we renew the program for a longer term, we will have the proper adjustment to modernize it.