Environment ministers sign deal: ‘good news for wildlife’

By Kirk Starratt

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

It was a historic day in terms of environmental management in Atlantic Canada.

Federal and provincial environment ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on environmental cooperation and announced significant federal project funding in Wolfville June 6.

The federal and provincial governments signed the deal at the conclusion of a two-day Atlantic Council of Environment Ministers meeting, held during Environment Week.

Federal Environment Minister John Baird, Nova Scotia Environment Minister Mark Parent, New Brunswick Environment Minister Roland Hache, PEI Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister George Webster and Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Minister Charlene Johnson signed. New Brunswick’s Environment Minister was unable to attend, but signed the agreement in advance. N.B. Deputy Environment Minister Rachel Bard represented the province at the event.

The agreement is a broad set of environmental management principles designed to enhance environmental protection, helping governments work together. The first project will focus on surface and ground water.

Baird said climate change challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, are shared by all Canadians. The MOU is the foundation of what he hopes will be a fruitful, productive relationship.

“It will establish principles that will be the cornerstone of environmental management in the Atlantic region,” Baird said.

“Good information leads to good decisions, which leads to better environmental protection,” Parent said.

Baird announced $5 million in new funding for five years for a weather station and conservation on Sable Island, part of the federal government’s Action Plan for Clean Water and an overall investment of $61.5 million over five years. The initiative will contribute to the eventual designation of Sable Island as a National Wildlife Area. Baird said the federal government wants the biggest environmental benefit for its buck, and Sable Island is a priority for him.

Parent said the Sable Island research station would provide important environmental data to help support decisions made for our region. He said wildlife protection is good news as well and it’s a great way to celebrate Environment Week.



Atlantic ministers meet and talk

During the Atlantic Council of Environment Ministers meetings, ministers discussed climate change, solid waste management, renewable energy and several other environmental issues facing our region.

“The effects of climate change and the impact of sea-level rise in Atlantic Canada are impacting us all,” Parent said. “We will be working together, through the proposed Atlantic Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to develop a coordinated approach.”

The ministers discussed recent federal announcements about air pollutants and greenhouse gas emission reductions. The Atlantic provinces have a greater percentage of total emissions from large industry compared to other provinces, and the proposed federal regulatory framework could place a burden on the Atlantic Canadian economy.

It was noted an enhanced Atlantic transmission grid might help renewable energy production. The ministers agreed payments into a proposed technology fund to offset greenhouse gas emissions would be applied to projects in those jurisdictions.

The ministers received an update on efforts to harmonize provincial solid waste legislation in the Atlantic region. There was support for an Atlantic Region Environmental Enforcement Committee that could enhance and harmonize activities by sharing information, equipment and resources. Ministers also committed to adopt the Municipal Wastewater Effluent Strategy and will work with the federal government to accommodate the unique nature of Atlantic communities.

The MOU will…

The environmental agreement will

• create a regional steering committee of senior officials from Environment Canada and the environment departments of the Atlantic provinces for easier and more effective discussion and collaboration on environmental issues

• facilitate a consistent, efficient and transparent collaborative approach to environmental protection and conservation in the Atlantic provinces

• strengthen federal and provincial cooperation to address a national environmental priority (e.g. water quality and quantity) in an integrated and coordinated way

• provide the foundation for federal and provincial cooperation to address environmental priorities

WEBLINKS

www.ec.gc.ca