Evidence of meeting #130 for National Defence in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was pfas.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
As an Individual
Protected buildings are still within the PSPC and Treasury Board world, but what happens is that we deem them protected for security. It's very interesting what they're deeming as protected because I see those buildings now coming down without the proper stuff, so if you worked there, you will not be able to ever get a map.
With regard to environmental assessments, the Kemptville RCMP facility is the perfect example.
Conservative
Liberal
Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON
Thank you very much.
Mr. Hovington, you worked as a firefighter, and we've heard numerous times about the significance of PFAS and what it means.
For this committee, as you are going forward, do you have any suggestions or recommendations of other types of material or perhaps other newer ways of better protecting yourself and others who are having to do the training and are still using some of the material for your work?
Chief Fire Inspector, As an Individual
Yes, ma'am.
The CFFM—the Canadian Forces Fire Marshal's office—has come up with a lot of new guidelines. We went from C8 foam in the eighties and nineties to C6. Now they're probably going to C3, which is not as good as C6, for sure. It hasn't been approved. Time will tell where we're going and how this will be guided by them. That's pretty well it.
There are PFAS and PFOS. Where we used to train in Moose Jaw was about 150 metres from building 143. We used to dump all kinds of waste fuels and flammable liquids in there, and just lighting [Technical difficulty—Editor] from just about every evening and on weekends, fully. It's highly contaminated from probably 40 to 50 years of using that site, which is, like I said, 150 metres from building 143.
That's why we're so concerned about our health. It was caused by that.
Liberal
Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON
Thank you very much.
I'm going to close by saying that I had the privilege of going to Moose Jaw this summer.
Ms. Zimmerman, you mentioned the people on base, working every day. I want to commend every single person—CAF, DND and civilians—who are doing extraordinary work there.
Thank you, again, for joining us today.
As an Individual
We're lucky to have the people we have there. They are the best of the best. They're amazing.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
Unfortunately, that brings this very compelling testimony to an end.
Colleagues, what we heard in previous hours is not reconcilable with what we heard this hour. We are going to need to rethink, I think, how we shape this study.
Ms. Zimmerman, Ms. Plourde and Mr. Hovington, you can take some comfort in your having been impactful with the committee. I thank you for your willingness to appear, and for the risks you are willing to take. Insofar as this committee has anything to say about mitigation of risk, I think it's fair to say that we will all stand with you.
Conservative
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
If the witnesses suffer any remuneration or employment changes as a result of their testimony today, could we ask them to report it to our committee?
As an Individual
I'm going to be honest.
I'm already at loss with everything. I went from being a really great employee who has received coins and certificates, and who got some really great promotions from my bosses. I'm going to tell you something: I have never been treated so poorly. It's the same for Shaunna and Dave. Shaunna has had to take time off work, from the effect. Why have I stayed? My neurologist asks why I'm on a contaminated site. I need a job. I need a public servant position. You have these people there. I'm not going back to a great job. I talked to my doctor this afternoon. I'll be open about my condition. I haven't slept in two months. I'm not allowed to work on this. I'm not here on vacation leave. I'm supposed to have paid leave here. I'm using every ounce of leave without pay to talk to you today, making sure I can sit here and look into your faces, so you realize I'm a human being. I need you to understand. I might have to come off for a few weeks. I was terrified. If I come off for a few weeks, they're going to kick me out and I won't get information.
This is the problem you have.
Where do I go, as a public servant? I don't even have a union. I'm telling you that the vice-president of my union sits on the environmental board as a rep. They are all DND employees. We are all worried about our jobs in the economy we're in.
I'm sorry, sir. Thank you. We need assistance. Please.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
I am truly sorry to bring this meeting to a close.
Again, thank you for your courage—all of you.
With that, we're adjourned.
