National Defence Committee on June 16th, 2009

[Dr. Marc St-Onge]

That's right.

[Pascal-Pierre Paillé, Bloc, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Okay.

You referred to research that is underway on the seabed. Is this research developing quickly? It was stated earlier that Canada will be submitting its report in 2013. Could we say that things are moving so quickly that in 2013, this map, which has just been published, will already be obsolete?

[Dr. Marc St-Onge]

We will keep the map up to date; it's easy to do now because everything is digital. As we acquire information, we will add it to the map, including what will be prepared for our submission to UNCLOS.

As concerns seabed mapping, that is limited because it can only be done in the summer. I don't know how quickly the terrain is covered.

[Dr. David Boerner]

That is a responsibility of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

[Pascal-Pierre Paillé, Bloc, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Is your work facilitated as the ice melts? I assume so, obviously.

[Dr. Marc St-Onge]

Absolutely. The melting ice facilitates ground work and ocean research. Geologically speaking, by looking at the data that has been collected, it is clear that the work is much easier. With longer summers, shorter winters, and less ice and snow, we are able to see much more than what previous generations saw, and are able to deepen our knowledge of the land and the seabed.

[Pascal-Pierre Paillé, Bloc, Louis-Hébert, QC]

I have one last brief question. As far as resources are concerned, earlier, it was said that many people have downloaded the map. You have, after all, done a study.

Do you feel pressure from certain companies? Do you receive calls from lobbyists? Lastly, have you noticed growing interest in your research, and information you may find, in recent years? Do you have the impression that some people are keen on getting information before others do?

[Dr. Marc St-Onge]

There is no doubt that the work we do has always been of interest to mineral exploration and energy companies. Nonetheless, there has been greater attention paid to Canada's northern region in recent years, which explains why our organization has received a bit more money to conduct our work. This interest is therefore timely. We could do more if people are more interested. It seems that we were in the right place at the right time.

[Pascal-Pierre Paillé, Bloc, Louis-Hébert, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Maxime Bernier]

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. St-Onge and Mr. Boerner.

Thank you very much for being with us this morning. The study you're doing is very important for our committee. I appreciate that you're going to be available for some members if they have more questions in private.

That concludes our work for the 28th meeting of the Standing Committee on National Defence.

Before ending, I wish to remind members that this is our last meeting before the summer recess. Therefore, there will be no meeting tomorrow. We will see you all again in the fall, God willing.

Thank you, and good day.

[Dr. Marc St-Onge]

I wish to add something. Once again, if somebody wishes to have a copy of the map, we have several copies. We would prefer not to bring them back to the office.

If anyone wants a copy, there are copies available.

[The Chair, Conservative, Maxime Bernier]

All right. To our members and the clerk, it would be a good idea to keep a copy of the map.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Meeting adjourned.