Transport committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to simply resume once again that the legislation as it stands provides an unprecedented level of environmental protection and is unique, the first of its kind in the world. It's a precautionary approach targeting crude and persistent oils and

Transport committee  It's a voluntary agreement with the United States that is working very well.

Transport committee  No, not under international law.

Transport committee  Just to explain it maybe more simply, the voluntary exclusion zone has existed for over 30 years and is functioning very well. In addition and complementary to it, the government has enacted its commitment to formalize this moratorium and the two are seen as acting in tandem.

Transport committee  Our international law expert can comment on that.

Transport committee  I wouldn't wish to presume to interpret their interests. From the kind of messaging we heard, all groups were very interested in environmental protections and economic opportunities.

Transport committee  We certainly talked about the principles and the approach to working through this moratorium. I think it was clear. We got lots of feedback, as the minister indicated. There were various indigenous groups, environmental and non-governmental organizations, the oil and gas industry

Transport committee  Yes.

Transport committee  It was established in 1985.

Transport committee  There have not, not of laden tankers. There have been a couple of instances of empty tankers going within, but that is permitted.

Transport committee  This is an additional protection that the government has chosen to put in place.

Transport committee  That's right. The moratorium is an additional protection. The government made a commitment to formalize a moratorium and this is the delivery of that commitment.

Transport committee  That's a mechanism that is complementary to the moratorium.

Transport committee  We have both. We work very closely with INAC, and we have folks in our own department who have that expertise. We continue to work through the oceans protection plan, in particular, as an example, as a whole-of-government national program to build new partnerships and continue to

Transport committee  It has not come up in any discussions that I have been in, the direct question of consent.