Industry Committee on Oct. 20th, 2022

[Han Dong, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Okay.

Go ahead, Ms. Wowk.

[Dr. Melanie Wowk]

Yes, I would hope so. Any time we have this type of collaboration, that's what we need: We need all the different sectors to come together. Especially for us, in being here, it's about developing some understanding of our business and what we're doing for our part. It's very good for me to see what everybody else is doing as well, so yes, definitely.

[Han Dong, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Thank you.

Next is Mr. Fulton.

[Tyler Fulton]

Yes, I would tend to agree.

As I think I said in my statement, we see this consultation process as really critical, because we struggle with making those connections and making sure that all parts of Canada, and urban areas in particular, understand the importance of cattle on the landscape and all of the great environmental benefits that come from that. As I mentioned in my statement, we are the prairie landscape experts, so to start with, I think that's the way to start.

[Han Dong, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Thank you.

Next is Mr. Lyseng, followed by Mr. Laycraft.

[Mark Lyseng, Lead, Government Relations and Policy, Alberta Beef Producers]

Yes, I agree with Mel and what she said, in that it does provide that opportunity. I just think that as worded, we would like to see more recognition of agriculture, and a broader sweep of partners who might have been missed in this draft, but overall, collaboration, especially within our industry, is never a bad thing.

[Han Dong, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Thank you.

Go ahead, Mr. Laycraft.

[Dennis Laycraft]

I don't have a lot more to add to that.

I think it certainly has the potential to facilitate that level of collaboration. If you go to our national strategy, one of our key pillars is connectivity: When we harness that power of connectivity, that's when we definitely get the greatest results.

[Han Dong, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

That's great.

My second big question is.... We've heard a lot of concerns about this bill maybe leading to potential red tape for your industries. To avoid that, do you have any specific recommendations to this committee on how we perhaps can amend this bill so that we will stop that from happening with the bill right at the start?

[Dennis Laycraft]

Maybe I'll make one quick comment. Empowering people always has greater success than overpowering people. The incentive-based approach is absolutely crucial to success.

[Han Dong, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Okay.

[Tyler Fulton]

I was going to echo the exact same thing. Beyond a greater consultative process, providing incentives as opposed to regulatory restrictions is a much more effective way, especially in the context of environmental benefits.

[Han Dong, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

That's a good point.

Does anybody else want to chime in?

[Mark Lyseng]

My advice would be to avoid unintended consequences. As an example, beef producers have done a good job of sequestering and storing carbon, and incentivizing other practices. Not rewarding the good actors right now always leaves a bad taste in those producers' mouths.

[Han Dong, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Thank you.

My third question—

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

I'm sorry, MP Dong. This is all the time we have, but we might have some time at the end, so keep that question in mind.

Now it's over to Mr. Lemire for two and a half minutes.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Austin, I'd like to pick up where we left off.

Obviously, there are concerns around nuclear waste and safety.

Where do things stand today?

[Dale Austin]

I'm sorry. Could you repeat the question? I missed the middle part.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Can you comment on safety in relation to nuclear waste?

If you want us to pursue more nuclear energy production, that waste will obviously have to be stored. Nuclear waste is said to be radioactive for 500 million years.

How should that waste be stored to ensure everyone's safety?

[Dale Austin]

As I mentioned earlier, we are already safely storing spent fuel on site at nuclear power plants here in Canada. That waste is monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by the International Atomic Energy Agency. It is fully costed.

There is no reason to suspect it will be any different as we continue to produce nuclear power into the future. There is a safe storage capability that exists in Canada right now, and we will continue to avail ourselves of it.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Nuclear energy is a very costly option that offers little in the way of flexibility, so the maintenance of facilities can be unpredictable. Everything in life has an element of risk, but when it comes to nuclear energy, the consequences can be disastrous, unimaginable even.

Those who oppose nuclear power plants are worried mainly about health and safety and the storage of radioactive waste.

What can you tell us about the repercussions nuclear energy can have on human health?

It's practically impossible to keep everything that's released on a nuclear storage site, particularly because of the wind, and the environmental consequences are tremendous.

What do you say to people who oppose nuclear energy because of health concerns?

[Dale Austin]

What I would say to those people is that here in Ontario, where this meeting is taking place, nuclear energy replaced coal as one of the major electricity producers in this province. During that transition from coal to nuclear, the number of smog days in Toronto went from roughly 40-50 a year down to zero, and it has been consistently at zero since coal was replaced in Ontario. There are benefits, greenhouse gas benefits, certainly, but also air quality benefits in the transition to nuclear power.

We recognize there are concerns with nuclear energy. We work very hard to try to allay those concerns, but there will always be people, like yourself, who fear our technology. We will try to work with you to allay some of your fears, because we believe it is a certain part of any net-zero future.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

I was asking you those questions in good faith.

Thank you for your answers.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Thank you very much.

We now go to Mr. Masse for two and a half minutes.

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I didn't get a chance to ask the Canadian Cattle Association specifically about Bill C-235, whether they support the bill. I think they do, but I want to make sure they get an opportunity to respond, as well.