That's good.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm here today on behalf of Environment Canada and in particular to speak about recommendation 4.62, where the Auditor General says:
Environment Canada should support Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) in identifying the information requirements for cumulative impact monitoring, and for planning and implementing programs to monitor cumulative impact in the Northwest Territories (NWT).
Our role in this is primarily as scientists, and Environment Canada has over 1,500 scientists working on environmental issues across the country.
First I want to say Environment Canada accepts the recommendation of the Auditor General, recognizing that INAC is the lead in land management authority in the north, and thus the lead department responsible for this monitoring. We look forward to working with them in implementing the recommendation.
Environment Canada agrees with the Auditor General that effective management of cumulative impacts is critical to ensuring environmental sustainability in the north. To fulfill this goal, Environment Canada conducts environmental research and monitoring in the north as well as the rest of Canada in areas of water, weather, ice conditions, air quality, wildlife, and protected areas. I'd be happy to talk about some examples of that research later in the question period if asked.
Environment Canada has been an active participant in the cumulative impact monitoring program since its inception ten years ago. As noted by Mr. Wernick, the cumulative impact monitoring program was provided with additional resources in budget 2010, and Environment Canada will work with other partners to design and implement the program as it enters its next phase.
In addition to the cumulative impact monitoring program, Environment Canada will work with INAC and other partners to support the targeted science program under the Beaufort regional environmental assessment initiative. This program will provide important information for assessing cumulative impacts of oil and gas development in the NWT. Environment Canada will work with partners to ensure that its science is incorporated through our engagement on scientific communities, with data-sharing, aligning research objectives where appropriate, and especially utilizing research partnerships.
Environment Canada is also playing an active role in supporting sustainable development in the NWT. We work with the land and water boards established under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and the Inuvialuit Final Agreement to ensure that the best available information and science is included in discussions of cumulative impacts and is available to support decision-making.
Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, we agree that effective management of cumulative impacts is critical in ensuring environmental sustainability, and we're committed to working with INAC and our other partners in the NWT to plan and implement cumulative impact monitoring programs.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.