Evidence of meeting #4 for Natural Resources in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was federal.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Christine Moore NDP Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Concerning the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Information System, do you also take into account the claims that have not been signed—so the ones that come from communities, but have not been approved?
Director General, Major Projects Management Office, Department of Natural Resources
We might have to get back to you on that.
We don't believe ATRIS takes into account the claims that aren't formally approved, but we will get you information on that.
NDP
Christine Moore NDP Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Okay. You will send us the answer in writing.
In Budget 2012, an amount of $13.5 million was earmarked for consultations with aboriginals. Could you explain in more detail how that money is used?
Director General of Policies, Major Projects Management Office, Department of Natural Resources
There were two elements of that funding. The first element was increased capacity funding to first nations communities to participate in environmental assessments. The second piece was increased funding for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to engage and consult with first nations communities, given its increased role and responsibilities for carrying out environmental assessments.
There were two elements. One was participant funding to support first nations participation, and the rest was to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.
NDP
Christine Moore NDP Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Does this mean that aboriginal communities that cannot afford to participate in consultations could ask you for money to help them do so.
Director General of Policies, Major Projects Management Office, Department of Natural Resources
That is correct. Through funding through budget 2012, to enhance the capacity of CEAA in the amount of funding available, that agency has to support participation of aboriginal groups in that process, as well as similar programs that were established in 2010 at the National Energy Board and the Nuclear Safety Commission.
There are specific programs in place for these three agencies to support direct participation of first nations in these review processes.
NDP
Christine Moore NDP Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
What do municipalities or community groups need to do to meet with you regarding a specific project? Do you also have a duty to evaluate the social acceptability of a project within a community?
Director General of Policies, Major Projects Management Office, Department of Natural Resources
On the first part of your question, the MPMO is a central focal point for all stakeholder groups. If there's a community group interested in contacting the federal government to obtain more information on a review process, it may do so. We identify for every project on the MPMO website the name of the lead officer responsible for that project along with their contact information. The MPMO then can and does coordinate among other federal departments. It may not have all the answers, but it will coordinate with the implicated federal departments and agencies to meet with those groups.
In terms of your second question and whether we have a mechanism that calculates the social value of these projects, it's another one of those tough things to come up with some concrete metrics to do that analysis. These projects, given their—
NDP
Christine Moore NDP Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
It's more
about acceptability than about value;
if people agree or not.
Director General of Policies, Major Projects Management Office, Department of Natural Resources
Social acceptability is becoming an increasingly important issue. We have a legal duty to consult aboriginal groups. We've made significant progress in moving forward on our legal responsibilities.
It doesn't necessarily mean we're going to develop the social acceptability aspects of these projects by meeting the letter of the law. It's becoming with aboriginal communities but also with other communities an increasingly important issue in trying to engage potentially impacted communities on these projects, to understand and share information on the benefits, to better understand the impacts, and to address community concerns with respect to these projects. The MPMO is working very closely with partners to help communicate and understand these issues.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Thank you, Ms. Moore.
We go now to Mr. Regan, followed by Ms. Crockatt.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First of all, could you tell me when the application was filed for the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project? Was it 2004? Was it 2001? Do you recall?
Director General of Policies, Major Projects Management Office, Department of Natural Resources
I don't have the specific date in front of me.
I'd have to get back to you on when the last applications—
Liberal
Director General of Policies, Major Projects Management Office, Department of Natural Resources
It predated the creation of the MPMO office. It wasn't one that we specifically launched.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Okay.
Let's talk about the negotiations that you've had with the Mi'kmaq First Nation in Nova Scotia. On what major projects are you in negotiations with them? What projects have led to those negotiations?
Director General of Policies, Major Projects Management Office, Department of Natural Resources
Those MOUs and protocols that we develop with aboriginal groups aren't project specific. In terms of our approach on this, our colleagues at Aboriginal Affairs are committed to engaging with any aboriginal communities that have a desire to develop—
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Sure, but I'm talking about the MPMO, about the consultations that you are engaging in. Are you simply overseeing those? How does that work?
Director General of Policies, Major Projects Management Office, Department of Natural Resources
We're simply overseeing that process. Our colleagues at Aboriginal Affairs have the mandate to carry out those activities.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Your role is about major projects, right? It sounds like you're not limited to major projects, that it's a much broader role than that.
Director General of Policies, Major Projects Management Office, Department of Natural Resources
We do have a policy mandate as well.
In terms of any issues that our colleagues at Aboriginal Affairs would identify in developing and negotiating these protocols or in implementing them, we do have the mechanisms to ensure that we can take a whole-of-government approach and perspective on these issues so that they're not left alone in trying to address issues that may extend beyond their scope and mandate.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
If there was a proposal, for example, for a shale gas or a fracking project in Nova Scotia, am I right to think that would likely be too small to meet the threshold for the MPMO?
