Transport Committee on June 6th, 2017

[Laura Di Paolo]

The projects that would be inclusive of the main conduits would be eligible for funding under our programs. Where we draw the line between public and private infrastructure is for the lines that go directly into the homes. That's where those loan replacement programs are extremely helpful.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

We're looking for money to support that, so what rock do we turn over to find the money?

[Laura Di Paolo]

I think that would be part of the study, if the committee chooses to go forward with the study, to determine where the proper sources of funding would be.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Okay, good. Thank you for that. I need to move on.

Mr. Carreau and group, at Health Canada you've recognized there has been an issue for a long time. Are you really powerless to mandate action on this?

[Greg Carreau]

The implementation of our guidelines is a provincial and territorial responsibility, so we work very closely with them to transmit the current science, and particularly in this case, with lead-set numerical values for our guidelines, in consultation with provinces and territories and stakeholders, and then we look to the provinces and territories to implement these guidelines.

You can appreciate the diversity of the drinking water circumstances, whether they're using groundwater, surface water, or—

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Sure, I understand that, but I was looking for the mechanism.

[Greg Carreau]

The provinces and territories have the mandate.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

It's the priority coming up from the local authorities and not down from the federal government.

[Greg Carreau]

That's correct. We don't have the mandate to enforce them by legislation.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Was it the same with asbestos?

[Greg Carreau]

I can't speak to asbestos.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Okay.

If new maximum allowable concentrations are being contemplated, does that open Pandora's box on this thing even wider? I'm thinking particularly of copper piping, which used to be the standard, but soldered with lead solder.

Would we now be looking at a whole new galaxy of replacement problems if that new standard came in?

[Greg Carreau]

Specific to lead?

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Yes.

[Greg Carreau]

Yes, we understand there are some challenges with regard to implementing the new lead guideline as it moves forward. We understand that the majority of the sources are in the household, through brass fittings or solderings or the lead service lines that we've been speaking about today. Certainly there are some challenges in implementing it.

We are working with the provinces and territories to implement the new guideline that would recommend sampling at the tap of a residence to get a better and more comprehensive inventory of lead concentrations in residences across Canada, but the provinces and territories will ultimately be responsible for the implementation of these guidelines.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Is it fair to say that if we go to the more stringent limit, we don't really know what the implications are and we'd have to do some testing in the various scenarios?

[Greg Carreau]

Yes, we have a sense of the impact and we've been working in the provinces and territories that have a much better sense, obviously. Yes, the sampling at the tap that is proposed in the new guidelines will give a much better indication.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

We've been focusing, of course, on the supply lines coming in from the main feeder to the house. What about the drainage systems? Are there long-term macro-environmental issues if we're using lead pipe to take the drainage away from the house? Is there contamination to any degree going back into the environment at large?

[Greg Carreau]

Obviously, our mandate is to protect human health from drinking water with lead. It's beyond our expertise to look at the environmental exposure of the lead in the drainage system.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

I know this isn't a fair question, but I'll ask it anyway. Do you wish you had a little more clout to make things happen?

[Greg Carreau]

It's beyond my responsibilities.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

I know. That was a very mean question, and I'm politically corrupt.

[Greg Carreau]

No, I'm good.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

All right.

Mr. Badawey.