NOTE TO EDITORS: Minister to appear before Standing Senate Committee on  Energy, Environment and Natural Resources on Bill C-15

Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, will appear before the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources on Bill C-15 � An Act to Amend the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act in Ottawa tomorrow, Tuesday, April 19.

Bill C-15 outlines significant legislative changes to strengthen existing federal legislation that deals with marine pollution and illegal dumping of bilge oil in our ocean. The proposed new legislation allows for expanded jurisdiction, greater surveillance and enforcement capability, and stiffer fines for offenders.

Minister Osborne said he is urging the Senate for speedy passage of Bill C-15 so that it can be proclaimed into law. "I fully support Bill C-15, which will help ensure better protection of our marine environment and wildlife," said Minister Osborne. "The ongoing problem of deliberate dumping of bilge oil in our waters, such as the incident last month where hundreds of oiled seabirds were discovered on our shores, shows the need to urgently proclaim the legislation into law. Ships who illegally dump bilge oil at sea must be sent a strong message that there will be zero tolerance for such heedless abuse of our environment."

The minister will appear before the Standing Senate Committee at 5 p.m.(Ottawa time).

Media contact: Sonia Glover, Communications, (709) 729-2575, 685-6612

2005 04 18                            10:20 a.m.