Transport Committee on Dec. 5th, 2024

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

Of course they did. We always take responsibility for our sites. I think it is incumbent upon us all to ensure that we do our best for the communities going forward. That's my goal.

To the extent that there are issues with what Transport Canada did in 1997, I have apologized for their past behaviour. What I'm doing is what I personally can do. I will continue to stick to my guns in terms of ensuring that a proper process, in consultation with the nations, occurs. I am making the decisions now.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Minister.

Ms. Goodridge, the floor is yours. You have four minutes, please.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you.

I'm just going to get right into it. Has anyone from the Department of Transport prior to 2024 ever explicitly shared details about the dock contamination with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Mikisew Cree First Nation, and the Fort Chipewyan Métis—yes or no?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

There has been—

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Other than sharing a scientific report, has there ever been explicit sharing of the contamination?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

There has been the historical sharing of reports.

I will ask my colleague to specify exactly what was shared.

[Stephanie Hébert, Assistant Deputy Minister, Programs, Department of Transport]

The reports would have been shared in the context of conversations with regard to divestiture. In that process, we disclosed [Technical difficulty—Editor], so the reports that were available at those times would have been shared.

The first bundle that would have been shared would have been the phase I environmental site assessment report—

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you. Did you ever explicitly say that there is contamination that we know about at this site—yes or no?

[Stephanie Hébert]

It's very clear in the report—

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

No, no, I'm not asking about in the reports. Did you ever explicitly state, in any email, any phone call, any correspondence with the community, that there was contamination?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

Excuse me.

Because there was no risk to human health, the community, to my understanding, was not notified, but now that I'm in the chair, I know better. That's why I gave my personal cellphone number to the communities here. I know that I would share it regardless.

I don't want to be confused with the Department of Transport. Yes, I'm the minister, but I need to ensure that the proper and respectful processes are followed. That's what I am intending to do.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

I appreciate that, Minister. I understand that you've only been in this position for two months, so you don't own all of the problems from the previous—

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Vimy, QC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

We'll stop your time, Ms. Goodridge.

Ms. Koutrakis, go ahead on your point of order.

[Annie Koutrakis, Liberal, Vimy, QC]

I'm sorry. Some of us are participating virtually. If we don't allow the minister to finish her response, it's very difficult for us to follow. I would kindly request that we wait and give the minister the opportunity to finish her answers before interjecting.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Ms. Koutrakis.

I want to remind all members to try to give an opportunity for the witnesses to respond just for the sake of our interpreters and for those joining us online.

I'll turn the floor back over to you. You have two minutes and nine seconds left.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you.

You're also the minister for the Treasury Board. This is a federally mentioned contaminated site. Actually, I decided to look it up on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, and it has only a medium priority for action. Has the priority for action changed, based on this information and your meetings?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

The priority that I have adopted as Minister of Transport is that there is an urgent need to address this issue. It is one of my top priorities.

We will update the assessments. We need a new report. Within two short months, I have activated the department to ensure that we not only have the 2017 report being updated but we also have a single point of contact in place for the communities. We will engage in consultation.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Minister, the dock is located on the land that's actually within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Have you communicated with the mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

I reviewed the Wood Buffalo regional municipality report relating to the water. I reviewed the public notice provided on August 28 that the water was safe.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Okay, but did you communicate with the mayor?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

I'm happy to take the mayor's or anyone else's call.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

I'm just asking because I appreciate that you're now in communication with the three indigenous communities and Fort Chipewyan, but there is also the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, and I do believe that it is important to make sure that you're communicating with all the stakeholders.

Do you expect communities to seek out information as to whether their community is or isn't contaminated, based on the federal government's assessment, or do you guys proactively provide this information? It sounds like you guys expect communities to do the work themselves to figure out whether their community is contaminated.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville, ON]

That's completely incorrect. I am being proactive, and I am looking to ensure that there is a relationship between me—us—and the nations. My concern is the nations, and, on the issue of the mayor, I'm happy to take his call. I will be reaching out to the province as well to make sure that they are doing their fair share.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you. If I had another question, that would have been the next one.