(Chair) in the chair.

[Translation]

Hello. My name is Rosa Galvez, I am a senator from Quebec, and I am the chair of the committee. Today, we are conducting a meeting of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.

I’d like to begin with a little reminder. Before asking and answering questions, I would ask members and witnesses in the room to refrain from leaning in too close to the microphone or removing their earpieces when doing so. This will avoid any sound feedback that could negatively impact the committee staff in the room.

[English]

Before I ask my fellow committee members to introduce themselves, I would like to welcome Senator Judy White, who is joining this committee as a permanent member. Thank you so much. I will ask committee members to introduce themselves.

[Translation]

I wish to welcome all of you and viewers across the country who are watching our proceedings.

Today the committee has invited government officials to appear as part of its examination of Bill S-14, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act, the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act, the Rouge National Urban Park Act and the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations. Apart from the officials, we have other guests from Indigenous people groups and also people who work in public health. For our first panel, we welcome: Adeline Salomonie, Director, Marine and Wildlife, Qikiqtani Inuit Association, in person; Professor Ryan Norris, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, by video conference; and Dr. Melissa Lem, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, by video conference.

Welcome, and thank you for being with us. Each of you have five minutes for your opening remarks, starting with Ms. Salomonie. The floor is yours.

Professor Ryan Norris, the floor is yours.

Are those your opening remarks?

Thank you. Dr. Melissa Lem, the floor is yours.

Thank you to our witnesses. We will go to the question period, starting with Senator Sorensen.

I think every senator has the right to ask a question.

The first question is about whether there are any improvements that can be made in this act. Do any of the witnesses want to answer that question? Is there room for improving this particular bill that we are studying today?

Dr. Lem: I would be happy to suggest two possible improvements to this bill. One of them, specifically, has to do with the provisions that have to do with protecting parks from pollutants and harm. There are some areas where, for example, if the person fails to take the measures they are ordered to take, the minister may take the measures on behalf of His Majesty and right of Canada. I would like to see that language in there — that the superintendent may or the minister may — perhaps consider changing that to “shall” so that enforcement and notification do happen.

One other provision that I think could be established has to do with more involvement of people in this process. I’m wondering if a citizen enforcement mechanism could be built into this bill and also language around removing barriers to citizen participation in reporting these toxins or pollutants that may be identified by people in the community.

Sometimes, as we know, if industry or government is responsible for monitoring and reporting on these issues, it doesn’t always happen. Therefore, I would like to consider that both these amendments and improvements be made. In particular, the second one which is more important to engage everyday citizens in this reporting.

Do you have more on that point?

Do we have a date or deadline for when we want that information? We would appreciate to have that sent to us — to the clerk — by December 7 at the latest. Thank you so much.

Do Ms. Salomonie or Professor Norris want to add something to improve this bill?

Thank you.

We will have those in writing.

Right now?

Dr. Lem?

Dr. Lem: Yes, it is clause 32, Mitigation of Environmental Damage. Both the citizen reporting amendment and also the “shall” instead of “may” would both fall under that area. In clause 4, it’s supposed to be replaced by a new section that has to do with pollution and protection.

Dr. Lem, you had another question from Senator Arnot concerning your experience with urban parks. Do you remember or should Senator Arnot repeat the question?

Dr. Lem: Could you repeat the question, please?

He asked if there was a model or if you knew if there were other examples of urban parks elsewhere. He said there are no urban parks in Saskatchewan.

Dr. Lem: I know through working with Parks Canada that other national urban parks are under development, and some of them I believe are in the Prairies. That’s something perhaps to follow up with Parks Canada about.

Thank you. I have a question. Since the Montreal biodiversity COP last year, I have been very worried about our migratory birds, insects and marine mammals. Could Ms. Salomonie or Professor Norris talk to us about the state of and the role of these marine parks or other parks in maintaining the paths that these migratory species use? For example, Ms. Salomonie, where are the paths for the migratory species around the places where you live, and Professor Norris, the same with the insects and the birds.

Yes. Have you seen any change, an increase or decrease?

Okay. You spoke about research inventory, monitoring. Will this park creation allow you to follow these species and have the means and resources to report the changes in the next years?