The slide show, produced by Natural Resources Canada along with other documents as part of a June 2009 meeting involving senior bureaucrats and the CEOs of oil companies, suggested that strong federal environmental assessments, also known as EAs, were "the primary tool to achieve results," in the face of criticism about the footprint of the oilsands industry on land, water and air.
"EAs are a process to predict and evaluate possible effects and propose mitigation measures," said the presentation, released to Climate Action Network Canada through access to information legislation. "They provide a meaningful opportunity for the public to influence decisions about projects."
The presentation, prepared for discussions in Calgary involving the industry leaders and government officials such as Kevin Lynch, who was then the clerk of the Privy Council Office, noted that the provinces had jurisdiction over their own natural resources, but that the federal government had "more specific regulatory responsibilities" to protect the environment in areas such as the management of fish and fish habitat, migratory birds, navigable waters, water quality, species at risk, health and aboriginal consultations.
It also said that six existing laws governing all of these issues were "important levers," in the federal government's tool box.
"We have or are establishing the regulatory regime to support the required improvements (to address environmental impacts)," said the presentation. "Environmental assessments (EAs) are the primary tool to achieve results."
For example, it noted that the recent Jackpine oilsands project proposed by Shell was modified in the review process, requiring the company to include measures to protect and monitor fish habitat as well as report on mitigation measures.
Greenhouse gas emissions from oilsands operations were also emerging as an issue in recent assessments starting with recommendations from a joint federal and provincial assessment of the Kearl oilsands project proposed by Imperial Oil.
"This sets the stage for similar scrutiny for upcoming projects," said the presentation.
Hannah McKinnon, the campaigns director for Climate Action Network Canada, a coalition of environmental, labour and faith-based groups, said the proposed changes, announced by Oliver on Tuesday, would cater to oil companies at the expense of the planet's atmosphere and climate.
"The government is undermining the very processes that they recognize are needed for 'sound environmental stewardship,' " McKinnon said.
Liberal natural resources critic David McGuinty said he recognized the benefits of improving environmental assessment processes, but said that the Oliver should also recognize the importance of getting it right to protect the reputation of Canadian exports that want to compete in a global marketplace.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Mike De Souza
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