Transport committee  That would be very difficult to say. You have to understand that in any given year, between 20% and 40% of our effort in enforcement is reactive. It depends on what happens, such as the occurrences, spills, and so on that we have no control over. The remainder we plan for based on what we perceive to be the greatest threats and risks in the vicinity.

Transport committee  As an example, in conversations with my colleagues from the region yesterday, they're expecting that a couple of additional disposal at sea permits will be issued this year for dredging around some of the harbour sites, which is related to the increased activity. If that does take place, we will have that built into our work plan for the upcoming season so we can make sure that we're inspecting on those permit provisions.

Transport committee  Mr. Chair, no, we don't have officers who will be dedicated solely to the marine environment. They will be based in Yellowknife. The majority of them will be in our environmental enforcement program. Bear in mind that we have two enforcement programs. One's for wildlife and one's for pollution.

Transport committee  We have very limited assets in the area. We're based out of Yellowknife, because that's where our regulatory agenda puts us, as the best base of operations. Remember that a lot of our focus is on, I'd say, the resource extraction industry and on federal facilities subject to our regulation.

Transport committee  Thank you, Michael. Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the opportunity to speak to you today. Environment Canada's enforcement branch is responsible for enforcing a number of important environmental laws, such as those my colleague has mentioned: the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act, and the Migratory Birds Convention Act, all of which, of course, apply to the Arctic as well.