Thank you, Mr. Speaker. World Wildlife Fund of Canada, a long-term northern conservation partner, has been attacked by Inuvialuit leaders and, most disturbingly, by our own Premier. The attacks are based on false premises and completely ignore the point — a valid point, I might add. World Wildlife Fund of Canada has called for a postponement of the lease sale in the Beaufort until a comprehensive measurement plan is available for the region and the capability is in place to quickly clean up oil spills.
Mr. Speaker, planning is as yet unfinished in the conservation of the Beaufort. In fact, the World Wildlife Fund is a partner with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Inuvialuit Game commission. They’ve all agreed that it’s unfinished and need to take those things into consideration.
Secondly, an Arctic Council report has just been published that confirms that we do not yet have the capability to clean up oil spills, and I’d like to give you a quote from that: “Oil spills under ice or in ice-covered waters are the most challenging, simply because they cannot be contained or recovered effectively with current technology.” This is a report out last month from the Arctic Council, of which we are a member.
Federal Minister Lunn has also made a comment, saying, “We are a long way from resources development, but we need to make sure no project proceeds unless the proper protections are in place.” Clearly, there’s mutual agreement on that.
Finally, the Canadian public has said the same thing. Over 55 per cent have said that environmental concerns are the number one priority for Canadians, and in fact, only 7 per cent of Canadians say that economic development is a top priority in the Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make clear to everyone that many, many people in the Northwest Territories, in the Beaufort-Delta as well as in the Deh Cho and the Tlicho and in Yellowknife — in fact, in all regions — support sustainable development. The World Wildlife Fund is talking about sustainable development.
Sustainable development means that any economic development must incorporate an effective response to environmental and social concerns — not a new statement for me here today. I’m frankly quite disappointed that our Premier is so quick to state his opposition to the perspective of the World Wildlife Fund.
I support the Inuvialuit and their strong interest in protecting their land. I support their land-use planning process. I support their social well-being initiatives. These are all components of sustainable development.
A fanatic focus on mega-development projects benefits some…
Mr. Bromley, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
…but certainly not all. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
