ES101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Natural Resources Canada, Commercial Fishing, Government Cut
Exam 5 mc questions, material since midterm, 2 hours
When it comes to the environment, in Canada who does what?
● Municipalities: water treatment, garbage collection
● Provinces: management of natural resources
● Federal govt: navigable waterways, migratory birds, commercial fisheries, international
treaters, meteorology
● Where will you make your influence felt?
Who is responsible for making environmental policy in Ottawa?
● It depends on the issue and on the govt of the day
● Several govt departments may have responsibility or a given issue, with one typically
having lead responsibility
● Eg climate change: virtually all depts have a climate change file of some type
● Most policy is presently set by Natural Resources Canada and Environment and Climate
Change Canada
Do we need more/better enviro laws in Canada?
● There are hundreds of enviro laws and regulations
● Some apply to situations you might have never considered
● Eg there is a federal law regulating Canadian expeditions to the Antarctic
Regulations
● Acts set out the broad objectives and rules, regulations provide the details
So do we need more laws?
● Making or changing laws, regulations is time consuming, complicated, expensive
● We prob have all laws and regulations we need
● Real priority is for enforcement and compliance
The Harper government cut funding for compliance and enforcement
● Examples
find more resources at oneclass.com
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● Environment Canada disbanded its scientific group that devises the methods used for
testing pollution from smokestacks
● Staff of Environmental Emergencies Program was reduced by 50% (agency that
coordinates response to pipeline spills)
● Requirements for Environmental Impact Assessments reduced
● Is Trudeau govt reversing this trend?
Oceans Protection Plan, 2016
● Trudeau govt announced in nov 16 new $ and programs to respond to emergencies and
pollution incidents along all 3 coastlines
● To cope with increased volumes of shipping, accidents, and oil spills
● May be to clear way for more oil exports from Canada
Environmental Impact Assessments
● A formal process governed by laws to gauge the potential effects of proposed activities
● In Canada there are federal and provincial EIA processes that may apply
● Some regional, municipal governments may also have EIA rules
Federal EIAs
● When must they be done? When an activity would:
● Affect fish and fish habitat, or other aquatic species; migratory birds; federal lands;
● Have effects that cross provincial or international boundaries;
● Have effects that impact on Aboriginal peoples, such as their use of lands and resources
for traditional purposes and;
● Cause changes to the environment that are directly linked to any federal decisions about
a project
(don’t memorize)
Ontario EIAs
● Often required for…
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Exam 5 mc questions, material since midterm, 2 hours. Federal govt: navigable waterways, migratory birds, commercial fisheries, international treaters, meteorology. It depends on the issue and on the govt of the day. Several govt departments may have responsibility or a given issue, with one typically having lead responsibility. Eg climate change: virtually all depts have a climate change file of some type. Most policy is presently set by natural resources canada and environment and climate. There are hundreds of enviro laws and regulations. Some apply to situations you might have never considered. Eg there is a federal law regulating canadian expeditions to the antarctic. Acts set out the broad objectives and rules, regulations provide the details. Making or changing laws, regulations is time consuming, complicated, expensive. We prob have all laws and regulations we need. Real priority is for enforcement and compliance. The harper government cut funding for compliance and enforcement.
