Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Thank you for being here this morning, Minister Garneau. We really appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you the supplementary estimates (B). I want to thank Mr. Keenan for being here as well.
I note in the supplementary estimates that there was an amount of $1.6 million scheduled for community participation. It would appear in these supplementary estimates that you're asking for an additional $475,000. I would make a couple of observations before I ask my questions. Your department held what would appear to be a very quiet online consultation on the B.C. oil moratorium that ended at the end of September.
I have submitted an ATIP request for the results of this consultation, and to date I haven't received a response, which, as you can well imagine, is somewhat frustrating. Again, in your remarks on Tuesday evening at the reception hosted by the Port of Prince Rupert and the Port of Vancouver, you didn't mention the B.C. north coast tanker moratorium in a speech that was largely about B.C. marine issues. I find it rather interesting, as well, that that didn't find its way into your remarks when you were talking about marine safety.
As you are aware, I oppose this moratorium, because it doesn't make any sense to single out a specific resource. We know the Queen of the North sinking resulted in the largest oil spill in that area's history, but we aren't talking about banning ferry traffic as a result of that.
I also believe that if a company can prove they can operate safely in the northern B.C. environment, then they should be able to do so.
I have a couple of questions for you. Mainly, what is the additional $475,000 for in community participation for consultations on an already $1.6-million budget, and what single incident can you point to that would justify the tanker moratorium?