Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), a new Canada-Ontario agreement respecting the Great Lakes is currently subject to negotiations between the Governments of Canada and Ontario. Environment Canada is the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating the negotiations on behalf of the Government of Canada. Negotiations on the draft agreement are not yet complete. Once a draft agreement has been negotiated, all participating departments and agencies will be asked to review and approve prior to posting the draft agreement. A notice will be posted on the Canada Gazette, and the draft agreement will be available on the Canadian Environment Protection Act Registry for a 60-day public comment period.
With regard to (b), as the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating the negotiations on behalf of the Government of Canada, Environment Canada is leading the engagement of a wide range of stakeholders and aboriginal groups, including first nations.
With regard to (c), no specific budget has been allocated. Engagement activities are supported through existing budgets for the delivery of federal efforts to protect the Great Lakes.
With regard to (d), Environment Canada is the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating the negotiations on behalf of the Government of Canada. All proposed federal signatories to the Agreement--Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, Health Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, and Infrastructure Canada--are involved in considering and developing appropriate content for a new Canada-Ontario agreement, including content of interest to first nations. All stakeholder and aboriginal input, including input from first nations, is being considered in the development of a new Canada-Ontario agreement.
With regard to (e), Environment Canada has met with first nations to ensure their appropriate engagement in a new Canada-Ontario agreement.
With regard to (f) and (g), negotiations for a new Canada-Ontario agreement are ongoing between the Governments of Canada and Ontario. Once a draft Canada-Ontario agreement has been negotiated and all federal approvals to post are in place, a notice will be posted on the Canada Gazette and the draft agreement will be available on the Canadian Environment Protection Act Registry for a 60-day public comment period. After public input has been reviewed, the Governments of Canada and Ontario will negotiate final revisions to the agreement and seek appropriate approvals prior to ministerial signatures.
With regard to (h) and (i), Canada and Ontario are working to negotiate a draft agreement as expeditiously as possible. Once a draft Canada-Ontario agreement has been negotiated and all federal approvals to post are in place, a notice will be posted on the Canada Gazette and the draft agreement will be available on the Canadian Environment Protection Act Registry for a 60-day public comment period. After public input has been reviewed, the Governments of Canada and Ontario will negotiate final revisions to the agreement and seek appropriate approvals prior to ministerial signatures.