Speech

Check Against Delivery

Good afternoon. I’m pleased to be here today and to update you on Environment Canada’s latest work in the oil sands.

Let me begin with some background.

Last December, the Government of Canada responded to the report produced by the Federal Oil Sands Advisory Panel report. The Panel had been struck in September to review the environmental monitoring systems of the Athabasca River Basin in response to credible scientific concerns related to possible impacts on water as a result of oil sands development.

In its report, the panel called for the development of a scientifically-credible water monitoring system that will provide assurance to Canadians about the environmental performance of the oil sands.  The Panel noted Environment Canada as trusted science organization well equipped to lead in the design, implementation and scientific oversight of such a monitoring system.

The Department was certainly pleased at the recognition of its scientific capacity, but we also needed some time to develop a plan that incorporated the panel’s guidance on improving monitoring in the oil sands.

The Government of Alberta is a valued partner in water quality monitoring and has important pollution prevention regulations in place. We have both committed to improve efforts in our respective areas of jurisdiction and we will continue to collaborate to deliver improved environmental outcomes in the oil sands.

In response to the Panel’s findings, we committed to lead, in collaboration with the province of Alberta, the development of a preliminary surface water quality monitoring plan, and to do so within an aggressive timeframe. 

We committed to have the plan developed in 90 days.  This plan has not only been developed, but has also been reviewed by external experts.  I can tell you it’s on time; the external experts have said it’s on target.

I am pleased to be here today to release our plan for the Lower Athabasca Water Quality Monitoring Program. 

The plan proposes a design for monitoring water quality along the main stem of the Athabasca River and its major tributaries, from Fort McMurray to the boundary of Wood Buffalo National Park.

Let’s be clear: this plan to enhance surface water monitoring in and around the Athabasca River is a first step, not the end of our effort.

When it comes to science, meaningful results typically come from a sequence of well-designed, small, deliberate measures. Getting the science right might not always be particularly glamorous or dramatic, but it’s absolutely essential  We are committed to taking actions and making decisions based on science, not politics or public relations.  

The foundation for the environmentally responsible development of the oil sands needs to be based on strong science. 

This plan gets the science right.

This plan outlines a strategy to take measurements more frequently, in more places, to ensure sufficient data is available to track changes in water quality; it will link with other monitoring like air and biodiversity to ensure a holistic view of environmental quality.  

It outlines an adaptive approach, so monitoring and data interpretation can continuously improve.  It proposes to assess cumulative effects so that the environmental quality is maintained within desired levels. And all data will be publically available and accessible to all Canadians.

This plan is the first step towards an improved surface water monitoring program. This will take time, but we are on track, and are committed to getting it right.  We have already begun work on monitoring plans for air quality and biodiversity.  Our monitoring, research and other actions rise to the challenge of protecting the environment and ensuring the responsible development of the oil sands.

The development of the oil sands is key to our economic prosperity and energy security.  They create jobs and economic opportunity and are fundamental to future world oil supply.  Developing this important resource can be done in an environmentally responsible manner provided that science and technological innovation are brought to bear on the issue.  We are confident that we can protect the environment while seeing the economic benefits of the oil sands.

When it comes to the oil sands we don’t have all the answers yet – and new questions will come up all the time. But it is clear that the release of today’s plan is an important step in the direction of environmental sustainability.

We are encouraged by the conversations we have had over the past 90 days with industry, Aboriginal groups, non-governmental groups, and scientific experts. As we begin to implement the plan and continue to develop future environmental monitoring initiatives, we will maintain a dialogue to ensure the process yields the best results possible. 

We would like to keep that dialogue going and make sure that our monitoring system is transparent and the data are easily accessible to everyone free of charge.  

This government is committed to having a world-class monitoring system in place as an important step in the environmentally responsible development of this important resource. 

I look forward to that development, and to telling you about the completion of the next phase of the monitoring system soon.

Thank you.