Category: Canada

For immediate release

GATINEAU, Quebec, June 23, 2016 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise motorists of lane closures on the Alexandra Bridge.

The Ottawa- and Gatineau-bound lanes will be closed during the following periods:

• Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26, 2016, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day; and
• Saturday, July 16, 2016, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In case of inclement weather, the closures will take place on these dates:

• Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3, 2016, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day; and
• Saturday, July 23, 2016, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The boardwalk will remain open. Pedestrians and cyclists will not be affected.

The closures are necessary to conduct general maintenance on the bridge.

The schedule may change due to weather conditions.

PSPC thanks users for their patience.

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INFORMATION:

Media Relations Unit
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501

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For immediate release

HAMILTON, Ontario, June 22, 2016 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise pedestrians and cyclists of restricted access to the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge from July 4 to 29, 2016.

During these dates, the following restrictions will be in place Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.:

• from July 4 to 29, the north and south pedestrian underpasses will be closed;
• from July 4 to 15, access to the east (lakeside) part of the Waterfront Trail will be closed;
• from July 18 to 29, access to the west (bayside) part of the Waterfront Trail will be closed; and
• from July 18 to 29, the west (bayside) bridge sidewalk will be closed.

The bridge will remain open to pedestrian and cyclist traffic on weekends and weekdays after 5 p.m.

This schedule may change due to weather conditions or logistical requirements. PSPC will publish notices regarding any changes in schedule.

Safety is a top priority for PSPC during this project. The closures are required as part of the project to replace the bridge’s controls, drives and cables. The replacement of key components of the bridge’s lift system will extend its serviceable life, meeting the needs of both marine and vehicular traffic in the area.

PSPC thanks users for their patience.

For inquiries related to the project, contact:
Karen Durnford-McIntosh
Regional Manager, Real Property, Professional and Technical Services
613-453-3246

Media inquiries should be directed to:
Media Relations, Ontario Region, PSPC
416-512-5550

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INFORMATION:

Media Relations Unit
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501

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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

The Fisheries Act gives the government authority to manage Canadian fisheries and to protect the habitat that supports them. The government has committed to reviewing the recent changes to the Act to restore any lost protections and to incorporate modern safeguards.

This review will engage parliamentarians and consult broadly with Canadians, Indigenous groups, provinces and territories, and a range of stakeholders including industry and environmental groups.

The Review Process

The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, along with the Minister of Transport, are asking Parliament’s Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans and Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to examine recent changes to the Fisheries Actand the Navigation Protection Act and to hear from Canadians.

As an independent and public forum, a parliamentary committee can hear from witnesses including experts. All Canadians are welcome to submit briefs or ask to appear as witnesses. You can also attend the hearings in person.

When the committee has finished its work, it will report to Parliament with recommendations on how to address concerns about the protection of fish and fish habitat.

Consultations

Indigenous Consultations

As part of the government’s commitment to renewing our relationship with Indigenous peoples based on trust, respect, and cooperation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will work directly with Indigenous peoples to ensure that their concerns are heard and taken into account.

Participant funding will be available to make sure they are able to participate and express their views.

Public and stakeholder consultations

Listening to the experience and views of Canadians is at the core of this review. In addition to the work of the parliamentary committee, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will seek and consider input from the public through an online questionnaire.

In the coming weeks, Canadians will be invited to visit this website to find out more about ways they can contribute their thoughts and suggestions. You will also find useful background information to help you better participate in the conversation, and opportunities to discuss your views with other concerned Canadians.

Regularly updated information about the work of the parliamentary committees and other consultation activities can also be found here.

Next Steps

While the review is underway, the government will continue to ensure that fish and fish habitat are protected to support sustainable fisheries. We will also implement new processes to monitor the development of projects and we will report back to the public on how fish and fish habitat are being protected. We intend to publish our first report early next fall.

When all of the reviews are completed, we will bring forward new environmental assessment processes, restore lost protections, and introduce modern safeguards.

Media Contacts:

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

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

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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OTTAWA, Ontario, June 17, 2016 — This past February, the Government of Canada introduced Phoenix, a system approved by the previous government, to replace a 40-year-old pay system.

Since the implementation of Phoenix, I have received messages from many public servants and members of Parliament expressing concerns with accurate and timely delivery of pay. The transition to Phoenix has resulted in a growing backlog of unprocessed pay requests, which is creating a difficult situation for those affected.

To deal with this problem, I have instructed the Department to immediately hire 100 employees to work in a temporary pay unit.

This unit will be located in Gatineau, Quebec, in order to take advantage of the availability of individuals in the area with compensation expertise. The unit will work closely with departments to ensure they are using the system effectively.

This temporary unit will be operational this month and remain in place until the backlog issues are addressed. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

As an additional measure, I have asked the Auditor General of Canada to examine the planning for, and implementation of, Phoenix.

We will continue to work closely with all departments, agencies and unions to ensure employees are paid promptly and accurately for their work. Our employees deserve no less.