Renner Responds to Water Monitoring Plan :: My News :: Fort McMurray's News Portal
Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner issued the following statement in response to the release on March 24 of a water monitoring plan for the oil sands region, led by Environment Canada.
“The plan presented by the federal government is the result of a lot of work within a short timeframe, with input from Alberta Environment. This is a technical monitoring plan about when and where to monitor surface water quality.
Although this work is a good starting point, physical monitoring of water is only one piece of the overall system needed. We need to build on this plan to develop a system that is robust, verifiable, transparent and governed appropriately. Most importantly, it must be credible, which is exactly what Alberta’s independent Provincial Monitoring Panel is working on.
The provincial panel will incorporate this work led by the federal government into its own review, as well as the work previously submitted by the province’s data review committee and report back to me with initial recommendations in June.
I want to assure Albertans that we all have the same goal in mind - a world-class monitoring system that encompasses air, land, water and biodiversity for the entire province. By drawing on expertise from across Canada - including our federal counterparts - we are certain we have the best information to build the best system.”
Friday, March 25, 2011
Lower Athabasca Water Monitoring Program
I am pleased to be here today to release our plan for the Lower Athabasca Water Quality Monitoring Program.
The plan proposes a design for monitoring water quality along the main stem of the Athabasca River and its major tributaries, from Fort McMurray to the boundary of Wood Buffalo National Park.
Let's be clear: this plan to enhance surface water monitoring in and around the Athabasca River is a first step, not the end of our effort.
When it comes to science, meaningful results typically come from a sequence of well-designed, small, deliberate measures. Getting the science right might not always be particularly glamorous or dramatic, but it's absolutely essential We are committed to taking actions and making decisions based on science, not politics or public relations.
The foundation for the environmentally responsible development of the oil sands needs to be based on strong science.
This plan gets the science right.
This plan outlines a strategy to take measurements more frequently, in more places, to ensure sufficient data is available to track changes in water quality; it will link with other monitoring like air and biodiversity to ensure a holistic view of environmental quality.
It outlines an adaptive approach, so monitoring and data interpretation can continuously improve. It proposes to assess cumulative effects so that the environmental quality is maintained within desired levels. And all data will be publically available and accessible to all Canadians.
This plan is the first step towards an improved surface water monitoring program. This will take time, but we are on track, and are committed to getting it right. We have already begun work on monitoring plans for air quality and biodiversity. Our monitoring, research and other actions rise to the challenge of protecting the environment and ensuring the responsible development of the oil sands.
The plan proposes a design for monitoring water quality along the main stem of the Athabasca River and its major tributaries, from Fort McMurray to the boundary of Wood Buffalo National Park.
Let's be clear: this plan to enhance surface water monitoring in and around the Athabasca River is a first step, not the end of our effort.
When it comes to science, meaningful results typically come from a sequence of well-designed, small, deliberate measures. Getting the science right might not always be particularly glamorous or dramatic, but it's absolutely essential We are committed to taking actions and making decisions based on science, not politics or public relations.
The foundation for the environmentally responsible development of the oil sands needs to be based on strong science.
This plan gets the science right.
This plan outlines a strategy to take measurements more frequently, in more places, to ensure sufficient data is available to track changes in water quality; it will link with other monitoring like air and biodiversity to ensure a holistic view of environmental quality.
It outlines an adaptive approach, so monitoring and data interpretation can continuously improve. It proposes to assess cumulative effects so that the environmental quality is maintained within desired levels. And all data will be publically available and accessible to all Canadians.
This plan is the first step towards an improved surface water monitoring program. This will take time, but we are on track, and are committed to getting it right. We have already begun work on monitoring plans for air quality and biodiversity. Our monitoring, research and other actions rise to the challenge of protecting the environment and ensuring the responsible development of the oil sands.
Minister Peter Ken/Water Monitoring
Minister Peter Kent | Member of Parliament Thornhill - Environment Canada Responds to Oil Sands Recommendations with Water Monitoring Plan
Speaking Notes
The Honourable Peter Kent
Minister of the Environment
Environment Canada Responds to Oil Sands Recommendations with Water Monitoring Plan
Ottawa, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Good afternoon. I'm pleased to be here today and to update you on Environment Canada's latest work in the oil sands.
Let me begin with some background.
Last December, the Government of Canada responded to the report produced by the Federal Oil Sands Advisory Panel report. The Panel had been struck in September to review the environmental monitoring systems of the Athabasca River Basin in response to credible scientific concerns related to possible impacts on water as a result of oil sands development.
In its report, the panel called for the development of a scientifically-credible water monitoring system that will provide assurance to Canadians about the environmental performance of the oil sands. The Panel noted Environment Canada as trusted science organization well equipped to lead in the design, implementation and scientific oversight of such a monitoring system.
The Department was certainly pleased at the recognition of its scientific capacity, but we also needed some time to develop a plan that incorporated the panel's guidance on improving monitoring in the oil sands.
Speaking Notes
The Honourable Peter Kent
Minister of the Environment
Environment Canada Responds to Oil Sands Recommendations with Water Monitoring Plan
Ottawa, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Good afternoon. I'm pleased to be here today and to update you on Environment Canada's latest work in the oil sands.
Let me begin with some background.
Last December, the Government of Canada responded to the report produced by the Federal Oil Sands Advisory Panel report. The Panel had been struck in September to review the environmental monitoring systems of the Athabasca River Basin in response to credible scientific concerns related to possible impacts on water as a result of oil sands development.
In its report, the panel called for the development of a scientifically-credible water monitoring system that will provide assurance to Canadians about the environmental performance of the oil sands. The Panel noted Environment Canada as trusted science organization well equipped to lead in the design, implementation and scientific oversight of such a monitoring system.
The Department was certainly pleased at the recognition of its scientific capacity, but we also needed some time to develop a plan that incorporated the panel's guidance on improving monitoring in the oil sands.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The advantage of Bruce Carson
Bowie's Blog: The advantage of Bruce Carson over Chuck Guite is Carson actually belongs to a political party
meeting was attended by high ranking officials from both sides, including Canada's Ambassador to the United States. Mr. Carson is the only non-governmental official present and is shown in a photo seated next to the Ambassador one seat away from the Minister at a preparatory meeting for a global leaders’ forum on energy and climate change. Mr. Carson was also part of Mr. Prentice's delegation as a Special Advisor at Copenhagen in December 2009.
meeting was attended by high ranking officials from both sides, including Canada's Ambassador to the United States. Mr. Carson is the only non-governmental official present and is shown in a photo seated next to the Ambassador one seat away from the Minister at a preparatory meeting for a global leaders’ forum on energy and climate change. Mr. Carson was also part of Mr. Prentice's delegation as a Special Advisor at Copenhagen in December 2009.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Carson: the real scandal - Inkless Wells
Carson: the real scandal - Inkless Wells - Macleans.ca
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES IMMEDIATE ACTION ON FIRST NATIONS DRINKING WATER
OTTAWA, ONTARIO (March 21, 2006) -The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, with Phil Fontaine, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), today launched a plan of action to address drinking water concerns in First Nation communities.
“The government will ensure that First Nation leaders have access to the tools and resources they need to deliver clean water to their residents,” said Minister Prentice. “All parties with responsibilities in this area must take decisive action and achieve measurable results.”
A year later, nothing. A year after that, “deplorable” water in First Nations communities. Three years after that, if the latest reports are accurate, Bruce Carson spotted an opportunity
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES IMMEDIATE ACTION ON FIRST NATIONS DRINKING WATER
OTTAWA, ONTARIO (March 21, 2006) -The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, with Phil Fontaine, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), today launched a plan of action to address drinking water concerns in First Nation communities.
“The government will ensure that First Nation leaders have access to the tools and resources they need to deliver clean water to their residents,” said Minister Prentice. “All parties with responsibilities in this area must take decisive action and achieve measurable results.”
A year later, nothing. A year after that, “deplorable” water in First Nations communities. Three years after that, if the latest reports are accurate, Bruce Carson spotted an opportunity
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Former Harper advisor had deal with escort for First Nations water contracts
Former Harper advisor had deal with escort for First Nations water contracts: document | APTN National NewsA former senior advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper was lobbying Indian Affairs to land water contracts potentially worth millions of dollars for an Ottawa-based water company that employed his fiance who was an escort.
The name of Michele McPherson, 22, appears on a secret contract witnessed by Bruce Carson that guaranteed her 20 per cent of all gross revenues from sales related to water contracts on First Nations reserves, according to a copy of the contract obtained by an APTN investigative team.
APTN unearthed the contract as part of its investigation into Carson’s involvement with H2O Pros and its attempts to sell water filtration systems to First Nations with the poorest water quality.
Carson, who was one of Harper’s longest serving advisors, left the Prime Minister’s Office in 2008 to take over the newly minted Canada School of Energy and Environment that received $15 million in federal funds.
The Prime Minister’s Office asked the RCMP, the Commissioner of Lobbying and the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner to investigate Carson’s activities after APTN disclosed some of the information gathered in the course of the investigation.
Carson says on-camera he witnessed the contract’s signing between H2O Pro and Michelle McPherson, who also goes by the escort name Leanna VIP.
“I didn’t sign it…I witnessed it,” said Carson, when he asked by APTN about the details of the contract.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
March 8th,2011-Cdn.Water Now Privatized
Canadian Water Resources as the Private Property of Foreign Investors
However, rather than defend public ownership and control of water, the federal government has agreed to settle AbitibiBowater’s claim, and the terms of its Settlement Agreement with the
Company have been recorded in the form of a Consent Award by the NAFTA arbitral tribunal on December 15, 2010.5
The key provision of the Settlement Agreement incorporated to the Consent Order provides as follows:
As consideration for the above-cited final settlement and waiver of any and all legal
action by AbitibiBowater against the Government of Canada arising out of or related to
the Act and/or claims by AbitibiBowater against the Government of Canada relating relating to
the assets and rights cited therein, including those raised in the Notice of Arbitration, the
Government of Canada shall make a payment of $130 million (CAD), following the
constitution of the New Company, representing not more than the fair market value of the
3 These included water rights in relation to Grand Falls, Bishop's Falls, Star Lake, Buchans Charter Lease Section 8,
and even a potential hydroelectric generation at Red Indian Falls (estimated 44MW capacity) and the Badger Chutes
(estimated 22 MW capacity) on Exploits River.
4 These included the following claims: (1) 2000 square miles generally Charter Lease Section 8 comprising the Red
Indian Lake watershed in west-central Newfoundland (2) 1619 hectares in the vicinity of 1907 Lease Section 3, (3)
965,585 hectares at various locations Non-Renewable Licenses in central Newfoundland (4) 111,163 hectares
located in central Private Reid Lots and western Newfoundland, including in particular the Reid Lot 59 lands
(including the Grand Falls Mill, Grand Falls House, the AbitibiBowater Mill Manager's House, the Ambient Air
Monitoring Station, and considerable additional lands suitable for residential and commercial development) (5)
72,782 hectares located in central Crown Reid Lots - 725 hectares comprised of lots on Victoria River.
5 International Centre For Settlement Of Investment Disputes (ICSID), AbitibiBowater Inc. v. Canada, Consent
Award, Dec, 15 2010. http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements accordscommerciaux/
assets/pdfs/
However, rather than defend public ownership and control of water, the federal government has agreed to settle AbitibiBowater’s claim, and the terms of its Settlement Agreement with the
Company have been recorded in the form of a Consent Award by the NAFTA arbitral tribunal on December 15, 2010.5
The key provision of the Settlement Agreement incorporated to the Consent Order provides as follows:
As consideration for the above-cited final settlement and waiver of any and all legal
action by AbitibiBowater against the Government of Canada arising out of or related to
the Act and/or claims by AbitibiBowater against the Government of Canada relating relating to
the assets and rights cited therein, including those raised in the Notice of Arbitration, the
Government of Canada shall make a payment of $130 million (CAD), following the
constitution of the New Company, representing not more than the fair market value of the
3 These included water rights in relation to Grand Falls, Bishop's Falls, Star Lake, Buchans Charter Lease Section 8,
and even a potential hydroelectric generation at Red Indian Falls (estimated 44MW capacity) and the Badger Chutes
(estimated 22 MW capacity) on Exploits River.
4 These included the following claims: (1) 2000 square miles generally Charter Lease Section 8 comprising the Red
Indian Lake watershed in west-central Newfoundland (2) 1619 hectares in the vicinity of 1907 Lease Section 3, (3)
965,585 hectares at various locations Non-Renewable Licenses in central Newfoundland (4) 111,163 hectares
located in central Private Reid Lots and western Newfoundland, including in particular the Reid Lot 59 lands
(including the Grand Falls Mill, Grand Falls House, the AbitibiBowater Mill Manager's House, the Ambient Air
Monitoring Station, and considerable additional lands suitable for residential and commercial development) (5)
72,782 hectares located in central Crown Reid Lots - 725 hectares comprised of lots on Victoria River.
5 International Centre For Settlement Of Investment Disputes (ICSID), AbitibiBowater Inc. v. Canada, Consent
Award, Dec, 15 2010. http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements accordscommerciaux/
assets/pdfs/
Harper Government effectively privatizes Canada's water - News & Events - Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP
Harper Government effectively privatizes Canada's water - News & Events - Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP
SGM's Steven Shrybman recently told the the Standing Committee on International Trade that the Harper Government appears to have entered into a NAFTA settlement that will allow foreign investors to assert propriety claims to Canadian water.
In December 2008, AbitibiBowater announced the permanent closure of its Grand Falls-Windsor pulp and paper mill in Newfoundland. The Province claimed that AbitibiBowater had reneged on agreements to continue operating the mill, and that it had been granted water and timber rights on that condition. The Province then passed legislation expropriating AbitibiBowater's assets and terminating the water and timber licenses.
Rather than seeking recourse in the Canadian courts, AbitibiBowater filed an arbitration claim under NAFTA investment rules seeking $500 million in compensation. The claim not only sought compensation for the physical assets taken by the Province, but also for the loss of its water and forest licenses, which it referred to as "Water and Waterpower Rights" and "Timber Rights".
Instead of standing up for the public ownership of water and timber resources and refuting AbitibiBowater's claims to proprietary “rights” in Canadian public goods, the Harper Government entered into a $130 million consent judgment to settle the NAFTA claim. The potential consequences for the protection and regulation of Canada’s public resources are dire: the settlement goes farther than any NAFTA judgement to date, recognizing AbitibiBowater's “rights” to Newfoundland’s water and timber. This sets a precedent in which the obligation of governments to treat water as a public trust essential to both human well-being and biodiversity rank second to commercial and private interests.
SGM's Steven Shrybman recently told the the Standing Committee on International Trade that the Harper Government appears to have entered into a NAFTA settlement that will allow foreign investors to assert propriety claims to Canadian water.
In December 2008, AbitibiBowater announced the permanent closure of its Grand Falls-Windsor pulp and paper mill in Newfoundland. The Province claimed that AbitibiBowater had reneged on agreements to continue operating the mill, and that it had been granted water and timber rights on that condition. The Province then passed legislation expropriating AbitibiBowater's assets and terminating the water and timber licenses.
Rather than seeking recourse in the Canadian courts, AbitibiBowater filed an arbitration claim under NAFTA investment rules seeking $500 million in compensation. The claim not only sought compensation for the physical assets taken by the Province, but also for the loss of its water and forest licenses, which it referred to as "Water and Waterpower Rights" and "Timber Rights".
Instead of standing up for the public ownership of water and timber resources and refuting AbitibiBowater's claims to proprietary “rights” in Canadian public goods, the Harper Government entered into a $130 million consent judgment to settle the NAFTA claim. The potential consequences for the protection and regulation of Canada’s public resources are dire: the settlement goes farther than any NAFTA judgement to date, recognizing AbitibiBowater's “rights” to Newfoundland’s water and timber. This sets a precedent in which the obligation of governments to treat water as a public trust essential to both human well-being and biodiversity rank second to commercial and private interests.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
CBA - The 2011 National Environment, Energy and Resources Law Summit
CBA - The 2011 National Environment, Energy and Resources Law SummitThe Canadian Bar Association's National Environmental, Energy and Resource Law Section is pleased to present the latest instalment in its popular, ongoing, annual summit, focused this year on water rights and water protection and regulation, in a new, expanded two-day program format. We are especially pleased to have the participation of the International Law Section in this year's program.
Water is life. As the demand for clean water increases and as supplies are threatened, it is crucial that lawyers hone their understandings of the federal, provincial and international laws and rules surrounding this invaluable, irreplaceable and scarce resource.
Join leading legal practitioners, academics and industry experts from across Canada and from the United States, South Africa and elsewhere, to discuss and understand the implications of differing domestic water allocation regimes on competing demands, the interplay between commercial development and water, the regulation and protection of natural water resources. Learn about the international concerns surrounding trade and the treatment of water as an export commodity, water in the Arctic, and trans-boundary water pollution. Develop insight into local and municipal issues such as restricted water use, pollution control legislation, drinking water delivery, watershed management and issues related to the development of Canada's water related infrastructure and the protection of Canada's drinking water supplies.
Alberta, with its water licence moratorium and the unquenchable demand from the oil sands, is in a unique position to host this event dedicated to Canadian water law. The Banff Springs Hotel is the spectacular setting where you will engage with colleagues and share experience and timely knowledge that can be applied in your practice. Enjoy the company of old friends and new at the ever-popular networking receptions (planned Thursday and Friday evenings).
Water is life. As the demand for clean water increases and as supplies are threatened, it is crucial that lawyers hone their understandings of the federal, provincial and international laws and rules surrounding this invaluable, irreplaceable and scarce resource.
Join leading legal practitioners, academics and industry experts from across Canada and from the United States, South Africa and elsewhere, to discuss and understand the implications of differing domestic water allocation regimes on competing demands, the interplay between commercial development and water, the regulation and protection of natural water resources. Learn about the international concerns surrounding trade and the treatment of water as an export commodity, water in the Arctic, and trans-boundary water pollution. Develop insight into local and municipal issues such as restricted water use, pollution control legislation, drinking water delivery, watershed management and issues related to the development of Canada's water related infrastructure and the protection of Canada's drinking water supplies.
Alberta, with its water licence moratorium and the unquenchable demand from the oil sands, is in a unique position to host this event dedicated to Canadian water law. The Banff Springs Hotel is the spectacular setting where you will engage with colleagues and share experience and timely knowledge that can be applied in your practice. Enjoy the company of old friends and new at the ever-popular networking receptions (planned Thursday and Friday evenings).
Friday, March 11, 2011
Great Wave off Kanagawa woodcut (1832)
The Great Wave off Kanagawa (神奈川沖浪裏, Kanagawa Oki Nami Ura?, lit. "Under a Wave off Kanagawa"), also known as The Great Wave or simply The Wave, is a woodblock print by the Japanese artist Hokusai. An example of ukiyo-e art, it was published sometime between 1830 and 1833[2] (during the Edo Period) as the first in Hokusai's series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei (富嶽三十六景?)), and is his most famous work. This particular woodblock is one of the most recognized works of Japanese art in the world. It depicts an enormous wave threatening boats near the Japanese prefecture of Kanagawa. While sometimes assumed to be a tsunami, the wave is, as the picture's title notes, more likely to be a large okinami lit. "wave of the open sea." As in all the prints in the series, it depicts the area around Mount Fuji under particular conditions, and the mountain itself appears in the background.
Copies of the print are in many Western collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the British Museum in London, and in Claude Monet's house in Giverny, France.
Copies of the print are in many Western collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the British Museum in London, and in Claude Monet's house in Giverny, France.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Women and Water
From: aabhishek@metameta.nl
Subject: Women and Water
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2011 13:05:04 +0100
In households across the world, it is mostly women who collect and manage water. They are responsible for maintaining sanitation in their family, and passing on hygienic practices to children. Women also make for bulk of the agricultural labour, managing irrigation, among other things.
Since women spend so much time interacting with water, any intervention that seeks to improve water supply, management, sanitation etc. has much potential to improve their well-being. Conversely, and perhaps more importantly, it is crucial that women are actively engaged in designing and managing such interventions. The following videos illustrate this:
· Colombia: Women's Voices
· India: Walking for Water
· West Bank: We, the Women of Jayyous
· Sudan: River Blindness: Women and Biomedicine
The world over, organisations working on water management (and in other areas) express that 'women's participation' is one of their key objectives. But has the idea become too much of a buzzword, and been appropriated into formal procedures ('log-frames'/ 'project documents'…) in a way that has made it lose its meaning? What are your experiences?
We thought that with the International Women's Day round (March 8) round the corner, this might be a good time to pop this question. Please send in your videos/comments (just reply to this email). Check out TheWaterChannel for more videos on women and water, and more…
Abraham Abhishek
MetaMeta Communications
Costerweg 1d
6702 AA Wageningen
T: +31 (0) 6340 93470
E: aabhishek@metameta.nl
I: http://www.metameta.nl/; http://www.thewaterchannel.tv/
Friday, March 4, 2011
Closing Address from the Canadian Water Network
Lunch with the Honorable Peter Kent , Federal Minister of the Enviroment.
OTTAWA — The federal government is tackling Canada's water concerns by developing several programs and regulations that will help with water quality monitoring, restoring lakes and treating waste water, Environment Minister Peter Kent said at a news conference Thursday.
Despite projected cuts to several environmental initiatives, Kent promised that "significant investments" will be made so that officials can carry out monitoring and clean up in problem areas while new regulations will protect fresh water resources.
"We take the issue of water so seriously we are trying to ensure we are among one of the leaders when it comes to monitoring water quality," Kent said at the end of a week-long Canadian Water Network conference on creating a global approach to maintaining the resource. About 300 scientists and policy-makers from around the world met in Canada for the event.
"We are committed to making (water) a priority for individual Canadian households. Every drop counts," he said.
He said the government has already spent over $140 million on water-related problems in 2010. About 400 watersheds across the country are monitored for quality.
Officials will move to unveil new regulations later this year to deal with untreated waste water. Funding will be poured into plans to provide water services to First Nations communities and to restore Lake Winnipeg
Read more: http://www.canada.com/technology/Ottawa+committed+improving+water+quality+Canadians+minister/4380029/story.html#ixzz1FgGD3WaH
Pasta Bar
Networking Reception with dinner stations - sponsored by RBC Blue Water Project) with various remarks bidding a fond transition for Dr.Mark Servos, departing as Director of CNW. (side note: This chef was very nice, and offered to bring me some Rizotti, which was very kind ,and informed he was Egyptian; that most Egyptian men are very nice.)
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