June 20, 2016, Ottawa – The belief that a clean environment and a strong economy can go hand in hand is central to the health and well-being of Canadians as we work to get resources to market and develop infrastructure projects responsibly in the twenty-first century.

The Government of Canada took a first step to deliver on its commitment to review and restore confidence in Canada’s environmental and regulatory processes in January 2016 with the launch of an interim approach and principles for projects currently undergoing an environmental assessment.

Today, a comprehensive review of environmental and regulatory processes was launched by the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

To ensure an efficient process, the review is being closely coordinated across government departments and will focus on the following components:

• Rebuilding trust in environmental assessment processes;
• Modernizing the National Energy Board; and
• Restoring lost protections and introducing modern safeguards to the Fisheries Act and the Navigation Protection Act.

Consultation will be at the core of this review. The Government believes that rebuilding trust begins with a coordinated, open and transparent process based on scientific evidence, working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, and provinces and territories, and taking into account input from a range of stakeholders, including the public, industry, and environmental groups.

Canadians are invited to learn more and share their views at Canada.ca/environmentalreviews.

Quotes:

“Our oceans and fisheries provide a way of life for many Canadians and we need to manage our resources in the right way. We invite our government partners, Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians to actively engage with us on how we should restore lost protections for fish and fish habitat and incorporate modern safeguards to ensure the sustainability of Canada’s oceans and fisheries.”

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard

“Today we are demonstrating action to restore credibility to environmental and regulatory processes and ensure that decisions are based on science, facts, evidence and traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples. Through the modernization of the National Energy Board we will strengthen Canadians’ trust in the regulatory process.”

The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources

“The Government of Canada has committed to restoring lost protections and introducing modern safeguards to the Navigation Protection Act. Reviewing the legislation is an important step forward in meeting this commitment. We look forward to hearing the views of Canadians during the review process.”

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport

“We are here to act in the best interest of Canadians and restore their trust in environmental assessments. We will do this by working together to find the best ways to protect our environment. That’s how we will grow our economy for a clean, sustainable future for Canadians and their families.”

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“The review of Canada’s environmental and regulatory processes will ensure that decisions are based on science, facts and evidence. I am proud to support my colleagues as they undertake this important task, and I am eager to have Canadians express their views.”

– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

“Ensuring Indigenous communities are full partners in the environmental assessment processes is a key element of renewing the relationship with Indigenous peoples. Our Government is committed to carrying out early and ongoing engagement with Indigenous peoples as part of these important reviews. We are committed to renewing the relationship with Indigenous peoples, based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.”

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P., Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

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Backgrounders:

Media Contacts:

Review of Environmental Assessment Processes:

Caitlin Workman
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819 -938-9436

Bradley Eddison
Manager, Communications
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Bradley.eddison@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Modernizing the National Energy Board:

Alexandre Deslongchamps
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
343 -292-6837

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
343 -292-6100

Fish Habitat Protection:

Patricia Bell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474

Media Inquiries
Communications
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Navigation Protection:

Delphine Denis
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700