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The following statement was issued today by Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation. It was also read in the House of Assembly: I rise today to advise my honourable colleagues of my appearance yesterday in Ottawa before the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development to discuss Bill C-15 � An Act to Amend the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Bill C-15 is very significant for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It addresses the serious issue of marine pollution and illegal dumping of bilge oil in our oceans. Illegally discharging bilge oil off our coastlines is an issue this government takes seriously. I have raised the issue several times with the federal government, including with the previous Minister of Environment, David Anderson, as well as the current minister, St�phane Dion, who, as recently as last month, assured me and my Atlantic counterparts that legislation to deal with this issue would be introduced in the House of Commons. I am pleased that the bill has received first reading and is now before the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. I requested an opportunity to appear before the standing committee because this government is very supportive of Bill C-15. The bill will strengthen existing legislation to allow for better protection of our marine environment through expanded jurisdiction, greater surveillance and enforcement capability, as well as stiffer fines for offenders. Every year, thousands of oiled seabirds are washing ashore, and falling victim to reckless polluters of our marine environment. The events of this week are another reminder of the seriousness of the issue as hundreds of seabirds, tarnished with bilge oil, are turning up in Placentia and St. Mary�s bays. Those responsible for such environmental abuse must be prosecuted to the fullest extent. During my presentation to the standing committee, I stressed the importance of ensuring that Bill C-15 is enacted as soon as possible so that the environmental crime that is occurring off our shores stops. I was well received by the standing committee yesterday, and this province�s involvement and recommendations will assist the committee and the federal minister in recommending speedy passage of this important legislation. We will continue to impress upon the federal government the seriousness of this issue to our province and all of Atlantic Canada, and stress that once Bill C-15 is enacted, appropriate resources must be put in place to effectively enforce the enhanced legislation. We will continue to assist the federal government, in whatever way possible, in addressing this important issue. This government will work diligently to ensure the proper protection of our valuable marine environment for present and future generations. 2004 12 01 2:20 p.m. |
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