Environment committee  Yes, that's what I'm suggesting. I think you can debate the wording issue, and things like cost-effective or not, but I think they really aren't the issue. I think what's coming out is perhaps this idea of ministerial or political discretion, which seems to be at the heart of a l

Environment committee  That's correct.

Environment committee  It's one of the best examples of where precaution isn't being used.

Environment committee  I don't know if you've seen the recent books such as Tim Flannery's The Weather Makers, or obviously there is Al Gore's movie. Those are the popular things. The weight of evidence suggests that we're facing significant ecological damage and we have already seen evidence of it as

Environment committee  It's increasingly difficult to figure out where CEPA begins and ends and where government action begins and ends. The act itself is quite a fine piece of legislation. That reminds me of the story about your kid has great manners; they've never been used. It's a good piece of le

Environment committee  Very quickly, I think John was referencing the CEPA scoping paper, which does reference sound science. One of the headings is “Sound Science and Informed Decision-Making”, under CEPA on the scoping paper.

Environment committee  What I have highlighted around sound science, and what has contributed to that failure, is the fact that there is such an expectation for certainty and clarity in the science that doesn't exist in the world of science. It only exists in the world of policy, or how industry would

Environment committee  There are still ongoing studies. I think it's more complicated in terms of the effects of mercury from hydroelectric dams and the effects on first nations. I think that's where we've actually had to make a huge health compromise, recognizing that the livelihoods and cultural live

Environment committee  We probably don't need more studies. We know what to do. Right now, particularly in the north, we're seeing increasing levels not from the hydroelectric dams, but just from the active emissions of mercury from coal plants and other things. The hydroelectric situation is somewhat

Environment committee  I think that's right, and I agree with John's remarks that there seems to be something, in terms of political will, that's been lacking. But somehow that political will has been disseminated throughout the bureaucracy. My goal over the last ten years was to figure out how we ca

Environment committee  I think it's a good question. I think a lot of that gets back to what the decision-making processes are and where one would expect to have some sense of action in Canada. I think if you look at other jurisdictions that have addressed mercury, typically, once the problem is recogn

Environment committee  I'll take a stab at it.

Environment committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll do my best. Just so you know, I've submitted a lengthier version of my remarks to the committee. I'll just try to highlight a few things. Thank you for having me. I've worked for many years on toxic pollution issues in Canada, both as a consultant to