Senator Rose-May Poirier

Senator Poirier: Thank you all for being here. A lot of my questions have been addressed to a certain point. I’m just going to add on a little bit extra to each one. First, I’m going to go back to the discussion we just had a few minutes ago on one of the questions my colleague Senator Wells had talked about: The problem where it looks like some people own the licence, but in reality, they don’t own the licence; somebody else owns it. Can you please clarify, as far as you’re concerned, will Bil…

Senator Poirier: Again, thank you all for being here. My first question is for Manitoba Hydro. Mr. Swanson, in your presentation, you say the water flow provision could result in increased costs over time — in the order of $3 billion — to Manitoba Hydro customers due to the loss generation and new infrastructure requirement. What is the new infrastructure requirement that you are talking about? Could you elaborate a bit? Mr. Swanson: I will first qualify and say I’m not a resource planner fro…

Senator Poirier: Thank you all for being here. We have also heard from other groups some of the concerns we’re hearing from you. I have a couple of questions. If I go overboard, the chair will probably stop me, I’m assuming. The Chair: Advise you. Senator Poirier: Advise me. My first question is for Ms. Jackson. In your brief you mention that the expansion of the definition of fish habitat was done without any consultations or engagement from stakeholders. Were you given a reason why you wer…

Senator Poirier: Thank you all for being here. My question is for ATCO. In regard to hydro power in Canada, how do you think Bill C-68 will impact the development of hydro power going forward? Also, what do you believe to be the unintended consequences of Bill C-68 for you? Mr. Kiefer: That’s a great question. We have studied hydro power since the 1980s, personally and as a company; it’s one the first projects I undertook when I joined the company. It is a challenging proposition in a province…

Senator Poirier: I have a few questions. If I run out of time, I am sure you will let me know. My first question is for WaterPower Canada. In a letter you submitted to then Minister of Fisheries Dominic LeBlanc, you highlighted three major impacts on both existing and new hydro power. Could you elaborate on the impact for wind and solar generation resulting in more GHG emissions. Ms. Audouin: In our submissions, we try to always highlight the role that hydro power plays for this country. In my…

Senator Poirier: Thank you all for being here. I have a couple of questions, and I’m sure the chair will let me know when my time is up. My first question is for Ms. Burridge from the BC Seafood Alliance. You talked about stability and predictability touching the provision regarding the licensing policy. I had questioned the previous witness on the proposed modifications, which we were told by the minister would be made by the regulations, and the witness from last week seemed satisfied. Could…

Senator Poirier: Thank you, again, to everyone for being here. [Translation] My first questions are for Mr. Lanteigne. First, thank you again for being here. You shared your concerns with us about labour, particularly about the difficulties for younger people who want to join the fishing industry. In your opinion, how can we amend Bill C-68 to make conditions and the transfer of licences more flexible, while seeing to it that those transfers do not adversely affect the communities? In your op…

Senator Poirier: Thank you, minister, for being here. I have two questions and then I’ll leave it. If I have time for a second round, I go on the second round. My first question, minister, concerns subclause 31(5) of the bill, modifying paragraph 43.1(g) of the act. I’m looking for clarification when it comes to the transfer of the licence, specifically the prohibition on the transfer of the licence as states in the new paragraph 43.1(g.01). Could you explain to us what you mean by “except unde…

Senator Poirier: Thank you both for being here and for your comments. I did take note in your speech that you had recommended three amendments. Some of the amendments you mentioned are similar to what other witnesses have shared. Major concerns we’ve heard from other witnesses are the lack of consultation as well as the socio-economic consequences for communities, when something is put forward or done in a community without proper consultation. I’m sure you’re aware of the issues we had in New…

Senator Poirier: I want to highlight your recommendation number 7, because we’ve also heard that comment from other groups who have appeared before us in the last couple of days about the concern that the oil and gas sector can be granted a potential for compensation while the seafood industry or the other part would not be. I was looking to hear from you on that recommendation. What would be the implication if the seafood farming sector is not given the same compensation? The reason I bring th…