Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands)
2020-11-17 18:27 [p.2035]

Madam Speaker, I am raising an issue today in our Adjournment Proceedings that I originally raised on October 2 in question period and again on November 5.
Tragically, in that intervening time the government did nothing to address the concern I was raising and it is a matter that has now had a significant change for the worse, in that the U.S. government has now approved seven years of naval testing activities in the habitat of our southern resident killer whales. We are now in a position where I am not asking the government just to take action, but to remedy its failure to take action when the comment period was open.
Here, in brief, are the facts: The U.S. Navy proposes to run offshore testing throughout the extent of the Pacific offshore from Alaska to California, of course including the waters of the Salish Sea and the critical habitat of one of our most iconic endangered species. The southern resident killer whale population is now down to 74 individual animals, and they are threatened by many things.

They are threatened by lack of food supply and from the failure to take action. It was 14 years, just to make note, between when the species was identified as endangered and when a recovery plan came out. We know we need to protect their supply of chinook salmon. That is their favourite food. They are starving.
We know they need to be protected from ship strikes and increased shipping activity, yet the current government is pushing ahead with the now taxpayer-owned and funded Trans Mountain pipeline with an increase in tankers in their waters. We know they are threatened by ship strikes of other vessels, including not just ship strikes but the intrusive activity of whale-watching vessels. We created a sanctuary zone for the whales but we have not enforced it. That is in the area around Saturna Island, Mayne Island and Pender Island. It is not being enforced and their so-called sanctuary, which is the size of a postage stamp, and their habitat are being intruded upon without penalties and without fines.

Here is what a responsible government would do. I am going to quote from a letter from an elected official who said, “Simply put, [this jurisdiction] considers the level of incidental takings of marine mammals in [these naval exercises] to be unacceptable.” The governor of the State of Washington, Governor Jay Inslee, wrote those words in July 2020, urging the U.S. government not to approve these naval tests.

In response, Canada has said nothing. Every time I have raised it on the floor of the House of Commons, every time anyone in the media has asked any minister in the current government, we are told, and this is the talking point and I am sure we will hear it soon, that the southern resident killer whales are important to Canada and we will work with our partners, that being, I guess, the U.S. Navy, while they conduct sonar tests, while they use torpedoes, while they detonate bombs and they use underwater drones. These activities could not make matters worse for our population of southern resident killer whales.
We should have been taking a strong stand, telling the U.S. Navy what the governor of Washington told them: This is dangerous for our whales. What they call “incidental takings”, as many as 243 incidental takings of key requirements for the southern resident killer whales over seven years, are completely unacceptable.

Therefore, I put this to the minister in debate tonight: What will we do to take this up with the incoming president-elect? Can we put this on the list of things where Canada needs action from the U.S.?

Terry Beech (Burnaby North—Seymour)
2020-11-17 18:31 [p.2036]

Madam Speaker, our government is committed not just to the protection of our southern resident killer whales, but to actively investing in restoring their populations.

This endangered species has cultural significance for indigenous people as well as for coastal communities in British Columbia, all British Columbians and people right across the country. Obviously it is completely unacceptable for any harm to come to our precious killer whales. It is important for British Columbians and all Canadians to understand the significant measures and investments we are making to restore this species and to improve their habitat.

With 74 individual southern resident killer whales remaining and a population that has declined, despite the recent addition of a new calf, it is more essential than ever that we work in collaboration with all stakeholders to recover the species. I had the opportunity to work directly with some of Canada and the United States’ top experts in this field when we held our southern resident killer whales symposium only a couple years ago, and this has led to many strong initiatives.

For the last five years our government has taken unprecedented steps across many different ministries to aid in this recovery. This includes regulatory changes, such as those seen in the Fisheries Act and the Oceans Act, which have to date increased our total marine protected areas by more than 14 times since 2015.

Building on the $1.5-billion oceans protection plan and the $167.4-million whales initiative, our government has committed an additional $61.5 million to help deliver on further measures to protect and recover the southern resident killer whale. These investments contribute to additional research, monitoring and management measures to support the mitigation of the primary threats to the southern resident killer whales.

As well, in May 2020, the Government of Canada announced enhanced management measures to further support the protection and recovery of the southern resident killer whale. These management measures build on efforts from past years. They focus on increasing prey availability, reducing physical and acoustic disturbance and addressing contaminants through a variety of initiatives.

Measures introduced this year reflect advice from first nations, the southern resident killer whale technical working groups, the indigenous and multi-stakeholder advisory group and from public consultations. As a transboundary species, the need for cross-border collaboration is critical. The Government of Canada appreciates the ongoing close co-operation with the governments of the United States, Washington State and British Columbia. Through this co-operation, we have reinforced our commitment to work together to mitigate the threats to the survival and recovery of the southern resident killer whale and to maintain a long-term strategic plan for their recovery.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration led the review of the proposal by the United States Navy to conduct training and testing activities in their waters, from November 2020 to November 2027. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is engaged with our U.S. counterparts on this matter to ensure a common understanding of the planned activities and mitigation measures, with particular attention being paid to the southern resident killer whale.
NOAA has indicated an adaptive management component to the final rule that was issued and has demonstrated a willingness to work collaboratively on this file. This allows for the consideration of new information over the course of activities and the consideration of modifications of mitigation and monitoring measures. Our close partnership has proven successful in the past and it will remain important that we continue to work to help ensure that we both protect and restore this endangered and iconic species.

Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands)
2020-11-17 18:35 [p.2036]

Madam Speaker, I am afraid, as predicted, that was a pathetic response. I am very sorry the parliamentary secretary could not find it in his talking points to say that the government would raise this with President-elect Biden, that it would take up the fact that the State of Washington thinks that what the U.S. Navy is proposing to do and what NOAA has shamefully signed off on is acceptable. It is unacceptable.

We have recent evidence, which the parliamentary secretary should know because I have raised it in the House, that the tests by NATO off the coast of Scotland last month also led to the death of whales stranded. Bottlenose whales were found along the shores, affected by the sonar from the testing of the NATO military.

With 74 animals critically endangered, we should know that we are not doing enough. The government needs to stop patting itself on the back and start protecting our southern resident killer whales.

Terry Beech (Burnaby North—Seymour)
2020-11-17 18:36 [p.2037]

Madam Speaker, the assertion the member has made that our government is doing nothing is simply incorrect. Our government is not only committed to the protection of our southern resident killer whales, but fully dedicated to the recovery of this iconic species. We have taken significant steps to address key threats to their survival and recovery, and have invested more than a quarter of a billion dollars in protections, habitat restorations and legislative changes.

As it is a transboundary species, I believe the co-operation of the United States will be critical to our shared efforts, and of course we are engaged in those conversations. The department is engaged with NOAA on this matter to ensure a common understanding of the planned activities and to ensure that our whales are kept safe.

The post Will Canada object to US Navy underwater bomb testing with new president elect? appeared first on Elizabeth May.

GPC makes history!

The post Good Sunday Morning – Oct 4 appeared first on Elizabeth May.

The post Enforcement of Interim Sanctuary Zones appeared first on Elizabeth May.

OTTAWA – The deadline for the federal government to submit its final approval on the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion is August 24, 2020. Earlier this year an independent review panel identified major environmental implications as well as infringements on aboriginal and treaty rights.

“I wrote to Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson in July expressing my concerns about the expansion of Roberts Bank Terminal 2,” said Paul Manly (MP, Nanaimo-Ladysmith). “The review panel clearly indicated that in addition to significant environmental and health repercussions, the project would have adverse impacts on the use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by the Tsawwassen First Nation and Musqueam Indian Band. Tsawwassen First Nation reserve lands border on Roberts Bank and the expansion would exacerbate risks to their community, associated with increased pollution and noise.”

Manly points out that the Fraser River delta has been designated a United Nations internationally significant wetland, home to numerous wildlife species. “It doesn’t take much to disturb the balance of a fragile estuarine ecosystem,” he said. “The existing terminal at Roberts Bank, Deltaport, is already having an impact on juvenile salmon and endangered southern resident killer whales. If the Terminal 2 expansion goes ahead, it would double the size of Deltaport and increase greenhouse gas emissions. We are still in a climate emergency that requires us to responsibly reduce, not increase our emissions.”

“Clearly this expansion must not go ahead,” said Green Party Interim Leader Jo-Ann Roberts. “The coastal waters of this region are already choked with heavy marine traffic that threatens vital habitat. Fraser River chinook salmon populations are in decline. Salmon are a keystone species that have been a source of food and celebration to Pacific Northwest coastal Indigenous communities for thousands of years.

“A year ago, Canada declared a climate emergency. The federal government has committed to advance reconciliation and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on Indigineous Peoples. Greenlighting this project does not demonstrate a respect nor willingness to honour either of those commitments.”

# # #

For more information or to arrange an interview:

Rosie Emery

Press Secretary

613-562-4916 ext, 204

rosie.emery@greenparty.ca

The post Harms outweigh benefits in Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion, says Green MP Manly appeared first on Elizabeth May.

“The presence of these freighters anchoring in the Salish Sea is incredibly disruptive to my constituents and the local environment,” said Ms. May. “Transport Canada’s decision to extend the Interim Protocol for the Use of Southern B.C. Anchorages is simply not acceptable.

Paul Manly (MP, Nanaimo-Ladysmith) said that not only are local residents suffering from noise and light pollution, there’s also dust from maintenance work, sewage being dumped into the water and damage to the ocean floor from dragging anchors. “Residents of Thetis Island and Ladysmith are also being affected and they’re calling for an immediate moratorium on these anchorages,” said Mr. Manly.

According to Transport Canada’s website there is no formal process to regulate the behaviour of ships anchored outside port boundaries.

“Residents have not been properly consulted by Transport Canada nor have they been updated on the status of these ships,” said Ms. May. “Surely it would have been common courtesy for Transport Canada to ensure that these early measures occurred? The Salish Sea is a sensitive ecosystem, home to endangered species like the southern resident killer whale whose habitat is being constantly invaded and threatened by the presence of these vessels.

“I therefore ask Transport Canada to have the freighters using southern B.C. anchorages removed by the end of June, when the protocol was supposed to end, and find another solution to traffic jams in the Port of Vancouver. Residents and wildlife should not have to suffer for the mistakes of Transport Canada.”

The post To Minister of Transport: Tell freighters no more free parking in the Salish Sea appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honour to rise today to present to the House a petition that was developed by the students at Salt Spring Elementary School. They worked very hard to present a petition to the House calling for urgent action to protect the southern resident killer whales of the Salish Sea.

The petitioners point out that these whales will soon become extinct if we do not save them. They believe that the oceans protection plan is a good start, but that much more needs to be done to protect the southern resident killer whales.

The petitioners call on the government to take action to deal with disturbances from whale-watching operations and from other vessels that are operating in the vicinity of the southern resident killer whales, and to take urgent action to protect the whales from physical and acoustic disturbance.

The post Salt Spring Elementary School petitions to protect the southern resident killer whales appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to be one of the seconders for this motion. The way I see it, we know action must be taken, and a study should not delay action.

For instance, we know seismic testing in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is disastrous for the right whale. While the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has taken some steps, we have not yet banned seismic testing. We know that southern resident killer whales are on the precipice. We need to rebuild their food supply. They need the chinook salmon and less threat of tanker traffic. We do not need to stall action while we study.

Does my hon. colleague agree that doing a study is not an excuse for failing to take emergency measures?

Karen Ludwig – New Brunswick Southeast

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for seconding my motion. Action is taking place, and action will occur as the study is going on. In fact, I would argue this is a complement to the work already being done.

With regard to the seismic testing, there are environmental controls that have been put into place. However, there is certainly an opportunity as well when it goes before the committee to bring in experts to testify regarding any impacts it may or may not have had in the Gulf of St. Lawrence or off the coast of Nova Scotia.

The post Emergency action on endangered whales appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for Port Moody—Coquitlam, who has been a tireless champion in fighting toxic fish factories, which is what they really are. They are not fish farms.

There is nothing friendly or nice associated with them, as the word farm would imply. These facilities are found all along our coastline, and they are destroying our wild salmon, as my colleague has accurately described.

There is another aspect involved here. I want to see officials in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the minister turn their attention to tight regulation and ending the conflict of interest here.

I am also wondering if the hon. member has any views on the need to regulate seismic testing. Canada does not regulate seismic testing, and offshore boards have approved seismic testing in the habitat of endangered whales.

Fin Donnelly – Member for Port Moody-Coquitlam

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the intervention by my colleague in the Green Party about not only salmon aquaculture but also our southern resident killer whales.

It is critically important that we study not only seismic activity, but ship noise and other things that impact salmon on the west coast. More science is needed so that we can protect these whales and do it right. We also have to protect their food, which is the chinook salmon that they feed on.

We have to look at more science. We have to look at the impact of fish farms on chinook and wild sockeye salmon. We also definitely need to investigate how we can avoid noise that impacts whales.

The post Regulating seismic testing in the habitats of endangered whales appeared first on Elizabeth May.

The post Statement on World Oceans Day 2017 appeared first on Elizabeth May.