This is a very dangerous precident to set. We need more oversight than less. There are roads and subdivisions being built without proper Environmental Assessment. Provincially significant wetlands no longer exist because of lack of oversight. Water recharge areas have been paved over because developer have been able to maneouver studies so that they show results that will allow them to continue paving over paradise. Endangered species are constantly under threat from salty runoff from roads, feral cats and humans who encroach further and further into these natural areas.
We can not support any overhaul of environmental review process. It can sometimes be the one thing that is between the descruction of our sensitive environmental areas and more development ! The Region of Waterloo spent years in studies to create a document/plan for the future that would protect our farmlands and our environmental sensitive areas. Developers took that plan to the OMB and has cost taxpayers 100's of thousands of dollars in this appeal! Support SmartGrowthWaterloo Region if you want to learn more abouth this battle.
lori - 12 years ago
This is a very dangerous policy and irresponsible. The proposal as I see it will allow ten different provinces, legislating their own laws on environmental assessment and review, without any department in the position to say that this is not acceptable based on scientific evidence. This also opens the door to the abuse and exploitation of those of us living in lower populated areas outside of urban settings. With all the global catastrophies that are ongoing it makes more sense to protect the land, air and water with stronger environmental laws. The system is already flawed, and this will only weaken it further.
Aaron - 12 years ago
"Do you agree with Ottawa's review of the environmental process?" - No I do not. Yes, the old review process is slow and drawn out. It should be. Generalizing terms in legislation to speed up the process in support of commercial interests is foolish at best. Please consider the pace at which industry is able to damage the environment around it, and downstream of it. Now compare this with the much slower pace at which these damages are naturally repaired by nature. If commercial/industrial interests are genuinely considerate of the environment, then their activities should support sustainability & environmental stewardship. Instead, the Federal Government thinks the process must be "hurried up" to allow companies easier access to consume our environment, with less restrictions, at a faster rate. As long as we label things as "resources", instead of "environment", we continue to grant permission to consume them. I think the pace of the environmental review process should exactly match the expected rate of natural repair to potential damages. This would allow enough time for thorough review and risk management, as well as time to investigate lower impact alternatives. Why should any company or government be discouraged by this model? After all, if their intentions are genuinely honorable, then profits will still be there at the end of the review process, possibly generated by a more thought out & therefore more efficient model, all while better understanding our impacts and minimizing risk to long term environmental damage. If their intentions are to smash and grab, by all means, speed up the process, and generalize it to create more loopholes, allowing damaging activity.
rj pisko - 12 years ago
A potentially disasrterous policy - clearly in the name of "economic growth" - no consideration for sustainability. Growth for its own sake - the philosophy of the cancer cell, no?
Bernie - 12 years ago
I see nothing wrong with streamlining a process provided the process remains fair and meaningful. Voting against this change without the answer to that issue is closed minded. I want efficiency as well as effectiveness in all government processes. If the Conservatives can speed up the process but maintain its integrity, go for it. If they sacrifice integrity, I'll be the first to vote them out.
Boomer - 12 years ago
The fix is in. Harper wants the pipeline. David Suzuki was good on P&P tonight: reminding Harper that the Canadian people have not had a referendum on making the tar sands the main driver of the Canadian economy.
@gar I am almost sure deep down you are just in Denial, probably scared of facing the truth. Good night.
Tommy Marbles - 12 years ago
If they do it BC. should get.
NO SALES TAX just as in ALTA.(Bigger risk here)
VERY LOW GAS AND OIL PRICES(not at world prices)
FISH ENHANCEMENT ON ALL RIVERS
SHARE THE PROFITS WITH CANADIANS
MULTI TRILLION DOLLAR OIL RECOVERY SYSTEM 24/7
FORENSIC ACCOUNTING TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY IS ACCOUNTED FOR
SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT OF EARNINGS SHOULD GO INTO ALTERNITIVE ENERGY
george peat - 12 years ago
By shear numbers, and consumption, the earth is the people's toilet! Less reviews of it, the truth may stand up and show itself sooner, with less constipation. People may start to understand sooner, then have to wait for thousands of years of evolution! It lies in the body language& the look in the eye. Power& Greed is a lot of the human race's Creed. At least Canadian's get some a small voice for the taxes they pay, via CBC.
goodboy - 12 years ago
You shouldn't have an "I dont know" choice, if you don't know, you won't vote, save us the pain.
Patricia - 12 years ago
Just heard Joe Oliver on AIH - he noted that the Chinese don't like our regulatory process ... the Chinese ... I guess we are aiming for the lowest common denominator.
Then again, I understand that they own most of western and Northern Canada. So none of this should be surprising. The view in my crystal ball for 50 years from now - regarding the environment and health - sure is depressing.
Leon Baltas - 12 years ago
Anything this party and government does is suspect and underhanded. The hidden agenda is coming out of its lair and it is frightening.
Meagan - 12 years ago
It's a step in the wrong direction!!! :(
Powell Lucas - 12 years ago
The government is totally correct in putting limitations on the review process. One only has to look at what happened to the MacKenzie Valley Pipeline as a result of these specious delays. Environmentalists won't be happy until everyone--excluding themselves of course--is living in sod huts and burning buffalo chips for heat.
brutus - 12 years ago
Hiya gar;
You seem to be insinuating that if one doesn't swallow the government line one isn't a hard working Canadian.
Shades of Vic Toews.
Also this overworked phrase, ''hard working Canadians'' has lost its impact long ago, and has been relegated to vocabulary challenged politicians and their shills.
Anyhow, getting back to the subject at hand, anything the present government in Ottawa says or does, based on their past performance, must be thoroughly scrutinized as their favorite ploy is to shut down and muzzle opposing viewpoints by all means available.
At this point I'll admit that I, and most probably you neither, have examined the proposed law, but on principle, I will oppose any legislation that diminishes, or most likely silences the Canadian populations ecological voice.
Especially from the inept propaganda machine presently in Ottawa.
Cheers Brutus
Sandy Slobodian - 12 years ago
@gar Good for you for being engaged but consider this, are you certain that when you call people "so-called environmentalists" that you have made an effort to hear those individuals. Try to understand that many hard working Canadians are opposed to unfettered exploitation of our natural resources. It isn't as simple as them being "tree hugging radicals". The mining and extraction industries have had their way with our government and the citizens are now standing up to say wait, slow down and let's not just export and not at this accelerated rate. You might ask why the big hurry when the price of fuel is so low? This discussion requires open and frank consultation.
H.Wilkinson - 12 years ago
I do not agree with the government on their overhaul of the process, however I do not agree that environmental activists should cause delays without cause. There has to be some common sense to positions, not just obstruction for the sake of it.
@gar: if "progress" for you is digging up dirty tarsands and leaving vast craters of destruction, you may have been asleep for a very long time indeed. You should check out some of the neat stuff we have now.
Earth Scientist - 12 years ago
@gar: Actually, the CBC is in the right on this (since the evidence is in its favour).
"Do you really think these influence anybody but those who would be against any progress?"
What you fail to comprehend is that a thorough investigation of environmental impacts and risks of large projects is necessary to mitigate and prevent disasters from occurring. It is a GREAT deal more costly to repair environmental damage than avoid it, and in some cases can never be fixed. Furthermore, most of the costs end up to be paid by Hard Working Canadians, not those who truly benefited from the activity.
"when a quick decision is crucial to the welfare of our country"
This claim, a popular one with the Harper Government, is blatantly untrue. Firstly, even if delayed, the Natural Resources are still there for the taking. Second, Mining + Oil & Gas Extraction is only about 4% of our GDP. As countries industrialize, they move away from Natural Resources toward a much larger Service-producing industry (as we are now). This is where government should be investing - where it counts.
Colleen Mogge - 12 years ago
This is a bunch of crap.My daughter went to University to be a Biologist for the Environment because she is concerned about it and now a lot of the Federal Government Biologists may lose their jobs because of our Prime Minister and his B.S.So Harper you can pay my daughters student loans and she will go on welfare as you sre taking their jobs away because you are sleeping with the oil companies!!!
Colleen Mogge - 12 years ago
This is a bunch of crap.My daughter went to University to be a Biologist for the Environment because she is concerned about it and now a lot of the Federal Government Biologists may lose their jobs because of our Prime Minister and his B.S.So Harper you can pay my daughters student loans and she will go on welfare as you sre taking their jobs away because you are sleeping with the oil companies!!!
Colleen Mogge - 12 years ago
This is a bunch of crap.My daughter went to University to be a Biologist for the Environment because she is concerned about it and now a lot of the Federal Government Biologists may lose their jobs because of our Prime Minister and his B.S.So Harper you can pay my daughters student loans and she will go on welfare as you sre taking their jobs away because you are sleeping with the oil companies!!!
gar - 12 years ago
The CBC wonders why they were cut 10% on their budget. You know when you see a poll put out by the CBC all the so called environmentalists in the country will flock to it with negative remarks.. Do you really think these influence anybody but those who would be against any progress? The numbers only look good to the CBC and them .They fool no hard working Canadian. If decision's cannot be accomplished in two years God help us when a quick decision is crucial to the welfare of our country
This is a very dangerous precident to set. We need more oversight than less. There are roads and subdivisions being built without proper Environmental Assessment. Provincially significant wetlands no longer exist because of lack of oversight. Water recharge areas have been paved over because developer have been able to maneouver studies so that they show results that will allow them to continue paving over paradise. Endangered species are constantly under threat from salty runoff from roads, feral cats and humans who encroach further and further into these natural areas.
We can not support any overhaul of environmental review process. It can sometimes be the one thing that is between the descruction of our sensitive environmental areas and more development ! The Region of Waterloo spent years in studies to create a document/plan for the future that would protect our farmlands and our environmental sensitive areas. Developers took that plan to the OMB and has cost taxpayers 100's of thousands of dollars in this appeal! Support SmartGrowthWaterloo Region if you want to learn more abouth this battle.
This is a very dangerous policy and irresponsible. The proposal as I see it will allow ten different provinces, legislating their own laws on environmental assessment and review, without any department in the position to say that this is not acceptable based on scientific evidence. This also opens the door to the abuse and exploitation of those of us living in lower populated areas outside of urban settings. With all the global catastrophies that are ongoing it makes more sense to protect the land, air and water with stronger environmental laws. The system is already flawed, and this will only weaken it further.
"Do you agree with Ottawa's review of the environmental process?" - No I do not. Yes, the old review process is slow and drawn out. It should be. Generalizing terms in legislation to speed up the process in support of commercial interests is foolish at best. Please consider the pace at which industry is able to damage the environment around it, and downstream of it. Now compare this with the much slower pace at which these damages are naturally repaired by nature. If commercial/industrial interests are genuinely considerate of the environment, then their activities should support sustainability & environmental stewardship. Instead, the Federal Government thinks the process must be "hurried up" to allow companies easier access to consume our environment, with less restrictions, at a faster rate. As long as we label things as "resources", instead of "environment", we continue to grant permission to consume them. I think the pace of the environmental review process should exactly match the expected rate of natural repair to potential damages. This would allow enough time for thorough review and risk management, as well as time to investigate lower impact alternatives. Why should any company or government be discouraged by this model? After all, if their intentions are genuinely honorable, then profits will still be there at the end of the review process, possibly generated by a more thought out & therefore more efficient model, all while better understanding our impacts and minimizing risk to long term environmental damage. If their intentions are to smash and grab, by all means, speed up the process, and generalize it to create more loopholes, allowing damaging activity.
A potentially disasrterous policy - clearly in the name of "economic growth" - no consideration for sustainability. Growth for its own sake - the philosophy of the cancer cell, no?
I see nothing wrong with streamlining a process provided the process remains fair and meaningful. Voting against this change without the answer to that issue is closed minded. I want efficiency as well as effectiveness in all government processes. If the Conservatives can speed up the process but maintain its integrity, go for it. If they sacrifice integrity, I'll be the first to vote them out.
The fix is in. Harper wants the pipeline. David Suzuki was good on P&P tonight: reminding Harper that the Canadian people have not had a referendum on making the tar sands the main driver of the Canadian economy.
@gar I am almost sure deep down you are just in Denial, probably scared of facing the truth. Good night.
If they do it BC. should get.
NO SALES TAX just as in ALTA.(Bigger risk here)
VERY LOW GAS AND OIL PRICES(not at world prices)
FISH ENHANCEMENT ON ALL RIVERS
SHARE THE PROFITS WITH CANADIANS
MULTI TRILLION DOLLAR OIL RECOVERY SYSTEM 24/7
FORENSIC ACCOUNTING TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY IS ACCOUNTED FOR
SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT OF EARNINGS SHOULD GO INTO ALTERNITIVE ENERGY
By shear numbers, and consumption, the earth is the people's toilet! Less reviews of it, the truth may stand up and show itself sooner, with less constipation. People may start to understand sooner, then have to wait for thousands of years of evolution! It lies in the body language& the look in the eye. Power& Greed is a lot of the human race's Creed. At least Canadian's get some a small voice for the taxes they pay, via CBC.
You shouldn't have an "I dont know" choice, if you don't know, you won't vote, save us the pain.
Just heard Joe Oliver on AIH - he noted that the Chinese don't like our regulatory process ... the Chinese ... I guess we are aiming for the lowest common denominator.
Then again, I understand that they own most of western and Northern Canada. So none of this should be surprising. The view in my crystal ball for 50 years from now - regarding the environment and health - sure is depressing.
Anything this party and government does is suspect and underhanded. The hidden agenda is coming out of its lair and it is frightening.
It's a step in the wrong direction!!! :(
The government is totally correct in putting limitations on the review process. One only has to look at what happened to the MacKenzie Valley Pipeline as a result of these specious delays. Environmentalists won't be happy until everyone--excluding themselves of course--is living in sod huts and burning buffalo chips for heat.
Hiya gar;
You seem to be insinuating that if one doesn't swallow the government line one isn't a hard working Canadian.
Shades of Vic Toews.
Also this overworked phrase, ''hard working Canadians'' has lost its impact long ago, and has been relegated to vocabulary challenged politicians and their shills.
Anyhow, getting back to the subject at hand, anything the present government in Ottawa says or does, based on their past performance, must be thoroughly scrutinized as their favorite ploy is to shut down and muzzle opposing viewpoints by all means available.
At this point I'll admit that I, and most probably you neither, have examined the proposed law, but on principle, I will oppose any legislation that diminishes, or most likely silences the Canadian populations ecological voice.
Especially from the inept propaganda machine presently in Ottawa.
Cheers Brutus
@gar Good for you for being engaged but consider this, are you certain that when you call people "so-called environmentalists" that you have made an effort to hear those individuals. Try to understand that many hard working Canadians are opposed to unfettered exploitation of our natural resources. It isn't as simple as them being "tree hugging radicals". The mining and extraction industries have had their way with our government and the citizens are now standing up to say wait, slow down and let's not just export and not at this accelerated rate. You might ask why the big hurry when the price of fuel is so low? This discussion requires open and frank consultation.
I do not agree with the government on their overhaul of the process, however I do not agree that environmental activists should cause delays without cause. There has to be some common sense to positions, not just obstruction for the sake of it.
@Earth Scientist +1
@gar: if "progress" for you is digging up dirty tarsands and leaving vast craters of destruction, you may have been asleep for a very long time indeed. You should check out some of the neat stuff we have now.
@gar: Actually, the CBC is in the right on this (since the evidence is in its favour).
"Do you really think these influence anybody but those who would be against any progress?"
What you fail to comprehend is that a thorough investigation of environmental impacts and risks of large projects is necessary to mitigate and prevent disasters from occurring. It is a GREAT deal more costly to repair environmental damage than avoid it, and in some cases can never be fixed. Furthermore, most of the costs end up to be paid by Hard Working Canadians, not those who truly benefited from the activity.
"when a quick decision is crucial to the welfare of our country"
This claim, a popular one with the Harper Government, is blatantly untrue. Firstly, even if delayed, the Natural Resources are still there for the taking. Second, Mining + Oil & Gas Extraction is only about 4% of our GDP. As countries industrialize, they move away from Natural Resources toward a much larger Service-producing industry (as we are now). This is where government should be investing - where it counts.
This is a bunch of crap.My daughter went to University to be a Biologist for the Environment because she is concerned about it and now a lot of the Federal Government Biologists may lose their jobs because of our Prime Minister and his B.S.So Harper you can pay my daughters student loans and she will go on welfare as you sre taking their jobs away because you are sleeping with the oil companies!!!
This is a bunch of crap.My daughter went to University to be a Biologist for the Environment because she is concerned about it and now a lot of the Federal Government Biologists may lose their jobs because of our Prime Minister and his B.S.So Harper you can pay my daughters student loans and she will go on welfare as you sre taking their jobs away because you are sleeping with the oil companies!!!
This is a bunch of crap.My daughter went to University to be a Biologist for the Environment because she is concerned about it and now a lot of the Federal Government Biologists may lose their jobs because of our Prime Minister and his B.S.So Harper you can pay my daughters student loans and she will go on welfare as you sre taking their jobs away because you are sleeping with the oil companies!!!
The CBC wonders why they were cut 10% on their budget. You know when you see a poll put out by the CBC all the so called environmentalists in the country will flock to it with negative remarks.. Do you really think these influence anybody but those who would be against any progress? The numbers only look good to the CBC and them .They fool no hard working Canadian. If decision's cannot be accomplished in two years God help us when a quick decision is crucial to the welfare of our country