NLIS 9
April 20, 2005
(Environment and Conservation)
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 of my appearance yesterday in Ottawa 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.
As most of my honourable colleagues know, 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 oceans. The discharging of bilge oil is an issue
this province takes very seriously. Such neglect for our marine
environment and valuable wildlife by passing ships who deliberately
dump their bilge oil is absolutely deplorable. These incidents have
gone on too long in our waters � they are environmental crimes that
must stop. We believe that Bill C-15 is critical to helping end the
environmental travesty that continues to take place in Canadian
waters.
Besides raising this issue several times in the past with the
federal government, I also appeared before the Standing Committee on
Environment and Sustainable Development in Ottawa in November of
last year in support of Bill C-15. Indeed, the recent incident last
month where hundreds of oiled seabirds were discovered on our
shores, including within the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve,
demonstrates, once again, the need to urgently proclaim Bill C-15
into law.
My message to the Senate Committee was simple � speedy passage of
Bill C-15, without further amendments, is critical to the protection
and future survival of our marine environment. During my
presentation to the committee, which I am pleased to table in the
House today, I reminded members that over 300,000 birds die each
year off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador from deliberate
discharges of bilge oil in our oceans. I also reminded the committee
that for every oiled bird found on our shores, there are 10 others
that are not found. And, I informed the Senate Committee that the
300,000 birds that fall victim to illegal bilge oil dumping is
equivalent to an Exxon Valdez disaster every year. This comparison
clearly shows the insurmountable negative impact from illegally
dumping bilge oil at sea.
The bottom line is that those who are responsible for such
environmental abuse must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the
law. They must be sent a strong message that there will be zero
tolerance for such heedless actions.
I am confident that our province�s continued involvement in this
extremely important issue, and my recent appearance before the
Standing Senate Committee, will help move the passage of Bill C-15
forward in an expeditious manner. In the meantime, we will continue
to do what we can as a government to address the illegal discharging
of bilge oil in our waters.
Government is committed to the protection of our environment �
whether it�s marine, land or air. We will continue to work
diligently to ensure our environment and natural heritage are
protected for the benefit of present and future generations.
2005 04 20
2:50 p.m. |