Evidence of meeting #22 for Natural Resources in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was drilling.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Mr. Corey, you talk about us having the strongest regulatory environment. The government moved from requiring a comprehensive environmental assessment to a basic screening. Is that true?
10:50 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
That's true. That was as a result of the Atlantic Energy Roundtable in 2005. The thing to point out is that the screening is as rigorous as a comprehensive review. The principal difference is in the consultations that are required as part of the process and some other things.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
10:50 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
But I would just run through and say the screening is very rigorous. It includes the environmental effects of the process, including cumulative effects, significance of environmental effects technically and economically used in the measures. It's a very rigorous process.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
But it's less than. In the order of environmental assessments, comprehensive is seen as more rigorous than a screening.
On the May 11 announcement from the NEB—
10:50 a.m.
Conservative
10:50 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
Again, I don't think you would say it's less rigorous. The two are equally rigorous. One has more consultation built in.
The other thing to underline is that if the Minister of the Environment, after the screening is done, has any concerns at all, the minister has the prerogative to refer it to a panel.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Interesting. According to the Environmental Assessment Office, one is less rigorous than the other, but according to you it's not.
In regard to the May 11 NEB announcement to have the review, have any of your departments been involved in the NEB review?
10:50 a.m.
Director General, Northern Oil and Gas, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
They have just put out, on June 10, an invitation for participation and comments on the scope. So we have yet to decide what the government department's role will be in that review.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
I saw some nodding heads. Are you folks from Environment Canada involved in the NEB review?
10:50 a.m.
Manager, Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Department of the Environment
I'm a researcher, so I can't say—
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
So you don't know.
For the coast guard, Monsieur Grenier, you're not sure.
Mr. Corey, are you folks involved?
10:50 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
I would say again, the NEB is an independent arm's-length organization. They are undertaking the review. On June 10 they issued a scoping paper. It's out for public consultation right now. So again, everyone is able to see the document, comment on it, and get involved in the review.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
That's very nice, but you folks are all involved in various stages of the oil and gas process. The NEB is reviewing those things right now. I would assume that the coast guard, NEB, INAC, and Environment Canada would all be at the table. I'd be surprised if they're not.
My question—
10:50 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
I'd like to respond to that.
Again, to understand the role of the National Energy Board, it's an independent arm's-length organization. It's done that way consciously, and when they undertake the review, I think it would be important that it be undertaken by an independent arm's-length organization.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
So when you say “arm's length”, you also mean arm's length from industry, correct?
10:50 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
That's correct.
10:50 a.m.
NDP
10:50 a.m.
Director General, Northern Oil and Gas, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I don't have the facts before me.
10:50 a.m.
Director General, Northern Oil and Gas, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
The NEB has two distinct legislative-based mandates, and the—
10:50 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Mr. Cullen, you asked the question; please allow the witness to answer it.
10:50 a.m.
NDP