Category: Canada

The Project

BC Hydro and Power Authority proposes to construct and operate a dam and 1,100-megawatt hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River in northeastern B.C. The proposed project would be the third in a series of dams on the B.C. portion of the Peace River. The project components are an earthfill dam 1,050 metres long and 60 metres high, an 1,100-megawatt generating station and associated structures, an 83-km long reservoir, realignment of four sections of Highway 29 and two 77-km transmission lines along an existing transmission line right-of-way connecting Site C to the existing provincial power grid.

The Review Process

The Joint Review Panel, made up of Harry Swain (Panel Chair), Jocelyne Beaudet and James Mattison (Members), was appointed in August 2013 by the federal and provincial environment ministers to conduct an environmental assessment of the Site C project. In addition to receiving written submissions, the Panel held a public hearing from December 9, 2013 to January 23, 2014, in the project area. The environmental assessment process provided the proponent, the public, Aboriginal groups, and governments, an opportunity to present their views to the Panel on the project and its potential environmental, economic, social, heritage and health effects. The Panel submitted its report containing its rationale, conclusions and recommendations to both governments on May 1, 2014.

EA Decision Statement Conditions

The Decision Statement issued by the Minister sets out over 80 specific conditions with which the proponent BC Hydro must comply. The conditions address a number of environmental effects including impacts of fish and fish habitat, migratory birds, species at risk, water quality, and the health and current use of the land for traditional purposes by Aboriginal peoples.

Aboriginal Consultations

The Government of Canada has actively consulted with potentially affected Aboriginal groups regarding the proposed Site C project throughout the environmental assessment process.

The Government of Canada takes a “Whole of Government” approach to Aboriginal consultation in the context of environmental assessments to ensure that Aboriginal groups are adequately consulted when the Crown contemplates actions that may adversely impact potential or established Aboriginal or Treaty rights. Aboriginal consultation activities are integrated into the environmental assessment process to the greatest extent possible.

More information, including environmental assessment documents for the Site C project, is available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at ceaa.gc.ca.

Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=892879

      

October 14, 2014 – Ottawa, ON – Office of the Minister of the Environment

BC Hydro is proposing to construct the Site C Clean Energy Project (Site C) on the Peace River near Fort St. John in northeastern British Columbia (B.C.). The project consists of an earthfill dam, reservoir and an 1100 megawatt (MW) generating station that would operate for more than 100 years, producing enough electricity for 450,000 homes.

The Site C project has undergone a thorough and rigorous review by an independent Joint Review Panel. The independent panel held public hearings in and around the relevant communities. This process included extensive, meaningful and respectful consultations with the public and Aboriginal groups and provided an opportunity for experts outside government to weigh in and to provide a variety of information and comments both for and against the project. The environmental assessment process, from start to finish, provided the scientific and technical expertise and the effective engagement of the public and Aboriginal groups to enable an informed decision by both governments.

Today, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, issued a decision statement under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) for the proposed Site C Clean Energy Project.

The Governor in Council has determined that environmental effects of the Site C project are justified in the circumstances therefore the Site C project may proceed in accordance with conditions set out in the Decision Statement. The Minister’s Decision Statement includes mitigation measures and follow-up program requirements that must be implemented by the proponent, BC Hydro, throughout the life of the project.

Under the compliance and enforcement measures of CEAA 2012, proponents of projects that are granted approval to proceed are legally obligated to comply with conditions set out in the Decision Statement.

Before the project will proceed, the proponent must make a determination whether or not to proceed. If the determination is to proceed, the proponent will be required to seek out a variety of federal regulatory approvals from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Fisheries Act) and Transport Canada (Navigation Protection Act) and a variety of provincial regulatory approvals. These regulatory approvals will be required throughout various stages in the project.

Associated Links

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Contacts

Ted Laking
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Tel.: 819-997-1441

Lucille Jamault
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
lucille.jamault@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=892869

      

For Immediate Release

Harper Government Continues to Invest in Communities and Infrastructure

October 14, 2014 – Norfolk County, Ont. – Public Works and Government Services Canada

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and Member of Parliament for Haldimand-Norfolk, today announced the awarding of a construction contract to build a new facility for Environment Canada in Norfolk County, within the Big Creek National Wildlife Area.

The new state-of-the-art research facility will be the flagship building for Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service. When completed, the facility will be used to conduct research, and deliver on important wildlife management programs in the region.

A $2.3-million contract was awarded to STM Construction Ltd., of Brantford, Ontario, to build a 700 m2 facility that will include office and residential buildings, a garage and parking area as well as a boat house.

The Harper Government recognizes the importance of investing in community infrastructure projects like the Norfolk County facility. This funding will create local jobs, as well as contribute to the preservation of our national wildlife areas.

Quick Facts
The construction of the facility will begin in October 2014 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2015.
The Big Creek National Wildlife Area has been designated a World Biosphere for its extraordinary ecological value.
This wildlife area is strongly protected because its relatively undisturbed marshes are home to a variety of birds, amphibians (including frogs), insects and other species, some of which are extremely rare.
Quotes

“Strong communities are the backbone of Canada’s economy. With the awarding of this contract, the Government of Canada is demonstrating again its commitment to investing in communities and creating local jobs—right here in Norfolk County.”

The Honourable Diane Finley
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
Associated Links

Notice of tender award
Notice of proposed procurement
Big Creek National Wildlife Area

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Contacts

Marcel Poulin
Office of the Honourable Diane Finley
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315

PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site.

Follow us on Twitter.

Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=891699

      

Experimental Ebola vaccine developed by Public Health Agency of Canada to be tested in humans

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, today announced the launch of Phase 1 clinical trials for Canada’s Ebola vaccine (VSV-EBOV) at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.

The Phase 1 clinical trial will test the vaccine on a small group of people to assess its safety, determine the appropriate dosage and identify any side effects. Canada has supplied 20 vials of the experimental vaccine for use in the trial.

Scientists at the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) developed the vaccine, which has shown great promise in animal research. This vaccine could be an important tool in helping to control the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

The Canadian government owns the intellectual property associated with this vaccine and has licensed the rights to NewLink Genetics through its wholly owned subsidiary BioProtection Systems. The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency is working with BioProtection Systems to further develop the product for use in humans.

This testing will assess whether the vaccine is safe for use in people and determine the appropriate dose necessary to provide immunity. Outcomes of this Phase 1 trial are expected in December 2014.

Quick Facts
The Government of Canada owns the intellectual property associated with the vaccine.
In August, the Government of Canada announced the donation of between 800-1000 doses of its experimental vaccine to the World Health Organization to help in the Ebola outbreak response.
Other Phase 1 clinical trials are being considered in Canada, Europe and Africa.
There has never been a case of Ebola in Canada and the risk to Canadians remains low.
Quotes

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting efforts to control the Ebola outbreak and hopes that advancing research on this experimental vaccine will be able to help address this global crisis. These clinical trials are an important step in addressing some of the ethical considerations around providing an experimental vaccine to assist in controlling the outbreak.”

Honourable Rona Ambrose,
Minister of Health

“Canada has long been a leader in Ebola research and innovation, and this vaccine is the product of years of hard work. It is our sincere hope that when these trials are complete, the vaccine can be used to help save lives and put an end to this devastating outbreak.”

Dr. Gregory Taylor
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada

“The scientists working on the Ebola vaccine at the National Microbiology Laboratory have seen positive results in the development of the Ebola vaccine to date. The team is very excited to have the vaccine proceed to the Phase 1 stage of clinical trials and we hope that this testing proves successful and that the vaccine will be approved for use to help control the ongoing outbreak in West Africa.”

Steven Guercio
Acting Director General
National Microbiology Laboratory

Related Products

Fact Sheet – Ebola Virus Disease

Associated Links

Canada’s Public Health Response to Ebola
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) – News Releases and Statements for 2014

Contacts

Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 957-2983

Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=892289

      

For immediate release

PORT ROWAN, Ontario, October 10, 2014 – The Honourable Diane Finley, Member of Parliament for Haldimand-Norfolk, will make an important announcement about a Government of Canada investment in Norfolk County.

Date: October 14, 2014

Time: 10 a.m.

Location: Bird Studies Canada Headquarters
115 Front Road
Port Rowan, Ontario

INFORMATION:

Kayla Iafelice
Office of the Honourable Diane Finley
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315

Follow us on Twitter.

Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=891839

      

October 3, 2014            Ottawa, Ontario             Public Safety Canada

The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today launched Cyber Security Awareness Month and encouraged Canadians to learn more about staying safe online.

During Cyber Security Awareness Month, which is held every October in Canada and the United States, Canadians are reminded how to protect themselves and to guard against cyber threats. At the heart of these efforts is GetCyberSafe, Canada’s national cyber security public awareness campaign and a key component of Canada’s Cyber Security Strategy.

To launch the month, Minister Blaney delivered the keynote address at Cyber Security Day, a conference held at Algonquin College featuring presenters from private industry and federal and provincial governments.

Quick Facts

Almost half of all Canadian adults (49 per cent) and have been a victim of cybercrime and risky behavioursFootnote1
Nearly one in five Canadian youth do not know how to use the privacy settings on their social media accountsFootnote2
Nearly a quarter of Canadians (22 per cent) say that they never change their passwords and only 16 per cent say that they change their password a few times a year.Footnote3

Quotes

“We all have a role to play when it comes to cyber security. Cyber Security Awareness Month drives Canadians to take action to protect themselves and their family. Our Government is proud to work with our private sector partners, provinces and territories, and international allies to enhance information sharing, improve our understanding of the cyber threat and contribute to each other’s efforts to mitigate attacks. We will continue to ensure that we are standing up for Canadians against online crime.”
– Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Associated Links

Contacts
Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Follow Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) on Twitter.

For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.

Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=889859