43e législature223Réponse du gouvernement déposée5 mai 2021e-3178e-3178 (Ressources naturelles et énergie)LatashaCalf RobeHeatherMcPhersonEdmonton StrathconaNPDAB11 février 2021 à 19 h 39 (HAE)13 mars 2021 à 19 h 39 (HAE)22 mars 20215 mai 202116 mars 2021Pétition au <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253376" mp-riding-display="1">ministre de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique </Addressee>Attendu que : Le Canada a le devoir de s’assurer que les propositions d’exploration et d’exploitation des ressources respectent les plus hautes normes en matière de consultation et de participation des peuples autochtones conformément à l’article 35 de la Loi constitutionnelle de 1982, de la Déclaration des Nations Unies sur les droits des peuples autochtones et des 94 appels à l’action de la Commission de vérité et réconciliation; L’Alberta a failli à son obligation de consultation aux termes de l’article 35 en abrogeant la 1976 Alberta Coal Policy (la « Politique ») le 1er juin 2020 sans consulter les Premières Nations en ce qui a trait aux décisions liées à l’utilisation des terres; Le ministre albertain de l’Énergie a rétabli la Politique le 8 février 2021, mais de nombreux baux d’exploration de charbon sont encore actifs; L’exploration et l’exploitation de mines de charbon sur des terres autrefois protégées par la Politique menacent l’environnement, des espèces en péril et la qualité de l’eau, en plus d’empiéter sur les droits des peuples autochtones et les droits issus de traités des Premières Nations signataires des traités 6, 7 et 8; L’évaluation des impacts du projet de mine de charbon Grassy Mountain (le « projet Grassy ») ne tient pas compte des impacts cumulatifs des nouvelles propositions d’exploration et d’exploitation de mines de charbon dans la région; Le comité d’examen conjoint de l’Agence canadienne d’évaluation d’impact (l’« Agence ») remettra son rapport concernant le projet Grassy au ministre de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique en juin 2021. Nous, soussignés, citoyens du Canada, prions le ministre de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique : 1. d’ordonner à l’Agence de procéder à une évaluation régionale des impacts de toutes les propositions d’exploration et d’exploitation de charbon dans le sud-ouest de l’Alberta sur les droits des autochtones et les droits issus de traités, la qualité de l’eau, les espèces en péril et l’environnement; 2. de retarder la décision concernant le projet Grassy jusqu’à ce que tous les impacts cumulatifs de toutes les activités minières dans la région aient été évalués comme il se doit.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONThe proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project (the Project) is currently undergoing a rigorous environmental assessment (EA) by an independent Joint Review Panel (the Panel), which was established between the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Alberta Energy Regulator in 2018. The EA is ensuring a thorough and transparent review of the Project based on science and traditional knowledge, meeting the high standards that Canadians have come to expect of a federal EA.As part of its review, the Panel is required to consider the potential direct and cumulative environmental effects of the Project including effects on water quality and quantity, and socio-economic interests. The cumulative effects assessment considers the predicted effects of the Project in combination with the potential effects from projects that have been or will be carried out as of the issuance of the Joint Review Panel’s Terms of Reference.The Panel is also considering the potential effects of the Project on the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes, intangible cultural and spiritual values, physical and cultural heritage, and potential impacts to rights of Indigenous peoples. On behalf of the federal government, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is actively leading consultations on the Project with potentially affected Indigenous groups. The Government will ensure that this consultation informs the decision-making process before determining whether the Project can proceed.A public hearing for the Project began on October 27, 2020, and concluded on December 2, 2020. The public hearing provided an opportunity for the Panel to hear directly from numerous interested parties and Indigenous groups, which will help inform the EA.On January 15, 2021, the Panel closed the record of the review. The Panel is now preparing to submit its report to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change by June 18, 2021. The report will contain the Panel’s conclusions and recommendations regarding the Project. After taking into consideration the Panel’s report, the Minister will determine whether the Project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Should the Minister decide that the Project is likely to cause significant adverse effects, a decision regarding whether those effects can be justified in the circumstances will be required by the Governor in Council.The Government is committed to a federal assessment process that is robust, based on science and Indigenous knowledge, protects our rich natural environment, respects the rights of Indigenous peoples, and supports our natural resources sector. Any future coal development projects proposed in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains that meet the thresholds described in the Physical Activities Regulations will be subject to an impact assessment under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). Any projects allowed to proceed would continue to be subject to all applicable provincial and federal regulations. Coal mining projects not subject to the IAA may still require assessment under provincial legislation.The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is considering the petition a formal request for a regional assessment under subsection 97(1) of the IAA, and has commenced a review and analysis of it to inform the decision on whether or not to conduct such a regional assessment. The information contained in this petition as well as other information gathered by the Agency in its engagement on the request will be considered in making a decision on the merits of carrying out a regional assessment by June 18, 2021.  
CharbonÉvaluations régionales et stratégiquesGrassy Mountain Coal ProjectIndustrie minière
43e législature223Réponse du gouvernement déposée22 mars 2021e-2912e-2912 (Ressources naturelles et énergie)RobertKetchesonElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsParti vertBC16 novembre 2020 à 14 h 10 (HAE)15 janvier 2021 à 14 h 10 (HAE)5 février 202122 mars 202115 janvier 2021Pétition au <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253376" mp-riding-display="1">ministre de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique</Addressee>Attendu que : Le projet de mine de charbon Grassy Mountain aura des effets dévastateurs sur la qualité de l’eau et le débit des cours d’eau en amont de la rivière Crowsnest et des affluents qui traversent la zone du projet; Pour ce projet, des millions de tonnes de sédiments du mort-terrain seront déchargées dans les vallées adjacentes et pollueront ainsi les cours d’eau de la région, y compris le bassin hydrographique de la rivière Oldman, d’où des centaines de milliers d’Albertains tirent leur eau; Ce projet créera des réservoirs de retenue d’où filtreront de fortes concentrations de sélénium, qui se retrouveront dans le milieu environnant et compromettront ainsi les activités agricoles et récréatives pendant des décennies; Ce projet nuira considérablement au développement du tourisme et à l’arrivée de nouveaux habitants cherchant une belle qualité de vie; Dans la mesure où les nouvelles sources d’énergie propres, comme l’hydrogène, remplaceront bientôt le charbon thermique et métallurgique, les projets destructeurs de mines de charbon n’ont plus leur raison d’être. Nous soussignés, citoyens du Canada, prions le ministre de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique de rejeter le projet de mine de charbon Grassy Mountain.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONThe proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project (the Project) is currently undergoing a rigorous environmental assessment by an independent Joint Review Panel (the Panel), which was established with the Alberta Energy Regulator in 2018. The assessment is subject to the requirements of the federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, and the provincial Responsible Energy Development Act, the Coal Conservation Act, the Water Act, the Public Lands Act, and the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. The environmental assessment is ensuring a thorough and transparent review of the Project, based on science and traditional knowledge, meeting the high standards that Canadians have come to expect in a federal environmental assessment.As part of its review, the Panel is required to consider the potential environmental impacts of the Project, including effects on water quality and quantity, air quality, and human health. The Panel is also considering the socio-economic effects of the Project, as well as the contribution of greenhouse gas emissions that are directly attributable to the Project. The Panel’s Report will present its analysis of these and other effects. It will also provide recommendations for ways to mitigate potential adverse effects related to the Project.A public hearing for the Project began on October 27, 2020, and concluded on December 2, 2020. The public hearing provided an opportunity for the Panel to hear directly from numerous interested parties and Indigenous groups, which will help inform the environmental assessment. The public hearing provided a very transparent and open opportunity for the Panel to hear directly from numerous interested parties, including those with local and regional interests that could be affected by the Project. These views will help inform the environmental assessment and the decision on whether the Project is allowed to proceed.On January 15, 2021, the Panel closed the record of the review. The Panel is now preparing to submit its report by June 18, 2021. The report will contain the Panel’s conclusions and recommendations regarding the Project. After taking into consideration the Panel’s report, the Minister must determine whether the Project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. If the Project is likely to cause significant adverse effects, a decision regarding whether those effects can be justified in the circumstances will be required by the Governor in Council.The Government of Canada is committed to a federal assessment process that is robust, based on science and Indigenous knowledge, protects our rich natural environment, respects the rights of Indigenous peoples, and supports our natural resources sector. Any future coal development projects proposed in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains that meet the thresholds described in the Physical Activities Regulations will be subject to the new impact assessment regime under the Impact Assessment Act (the IAA). Coal mining projects not subject to the IAA may still require assessment under provincial legislation.Any projects allowed to proceed would continue to be subject to all applicable provincial and federal regulations.  
CharbonGrassy Mountain Coal ProjectIndustrie minièreProtection de l'environnement