Federal government chronically unable to sustain its own environmental initiatives

Commissioner finds federal government chronically unable to sustain its own environmental initiatives
2005, 2005 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, 29-Sep_2005
Environmental lethargy is one more example of a worn-out government
Editorial, Vancouver Sun, 10-Oct-2005

News Release
The Commissioner's Perspective—2005, 2005 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
Ottawa, 29 September 2005

While the federal government has announced many initiatives to put Canada on a path to environmental sustainability, it rarely sees them through to completion, says Johanne Gélinas, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, in her Report tabled today in the House of Commons.

“When it comes to protecting the environment, bold announcements are made and then often forgotten as soon as the confetti hits the ground,” said Ms. Gélinas. “The federal government seems to have trouble crossing the finish line.”

The Commissioner's most recent Report details urgent examples of unfinished environmental business in areas such as Canada's deteriorating oceans, the protection of biodiversity, and the safety of drinking water in First Nations communities, as well as in other areas of federal responsibility.

The Report also looks at the government's efforts to protect national parks and to follow through on its commitment to “green” federal purchasing. As well, it includes the results of three audits of environmental petitions submitted to the government by Canadians—one of which deals with the government's promise to update requirements for nuclear liability insurance coverage to meet international standards.

“The issues we raise this year pose concrete risks to the environment and well-being of Canadians,” said Ms. Gélinas. “Federal performance must improve markedly if vital initiatives are to achieve their goals.”

The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development and her audit team are part of the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. Her mandate is to audit and report to Parliament and Canadians on significant environmental and sustainable development issues.

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The Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada Web site (www.oag-bvg.gc.ca).

Information:
Julie Hébert, Communications
Tel.: (613) 952-0213, ext. 6292
E-mail: communications@oag-bvg.gc.ca

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EDITORIAL
Vancouver Sun
Monday, October 10, 2005

The federal government is blowing a lot of hot air on environmental issues and its lack of action is threatening Canadians' well being. That finding comes through loud and clear in the lengthy report of the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development, an arm of the Auditor-General's office.

And whether you think the concept of sustainable development is as important in human history as the industrial revolution or is junk science peddled by an international cadre of social engineers, the criticism of political inertia stands up.

The report takes the government to task for making bold announcements, which are often forgotten "as soon as the confetti hits the ground." Commissioner Johanne Gelinas accuses her political masters of failing to sustain their initiatives with policies, plans and structures that would allow departments to implement the programs, or track their progress when they do.

In some cases, the matters in question are of grave consequence to human health, such as safe drinking water. Ottawa has been slow to update quality guidelines, which set limits for contaminants, and has not lived up to its responsibilities to inspect water on aircraft, putting thousands of travellers at risk.

The audit found that as many as half a million people living in 600 first nations communities have no assurance that their drinking water is safe because there are no federal laws or regulations in place. Despite $2 billion spent to address the problem, the situation has deteriorated. The report warned further that a five-year, $600-million water management strategy approved in 2003 won't improve quality or safety on a continuing basis.

The report says Ottawa has done little to protect Canada's oceans and reverse dwindling fish stocks, or to address the problems of pollutants, invasive species or declining biodiversity.

It found that insurance coverage carried by operators of nuclear facilities is at levels established 30 years ago and no longer meets international standards.

The report says Parks Canada must upgrade its parks management plans -- half of those examined in the audit were outdated.

It also complained that the government has no policy on "buying green." Given its annual $13-billion procurement budget, that could make a dramatic difference to fledgling industries involved in environmentally sensitive manufacturing, recycling, alternative energy and conservation.

Gelinas blamed bureaucratic infighting and turf wars for the lack of coordination on programs that cross departmental boundaries. Programs and staff are often changed without regard for results and senior bureaucrats aren't held accountable, she added.

In other words, it's business as usual in Ottawa.

The report's wide-eyed surprise that politicians don't do what they say they'll do must be disingenuous. Liberal commitments to environmental action aren't meant to protect the environment; they are meant to win the votes of those who care about such things. Once the votes have been cast, there is no imperative to follow through.

It's a flaw in our system that governments too long in power see perpetuation of their privilege to be their over-riding purpose. The environment is only one of the many issues of concern to Canadians that are subservient to the Liberal priority of preserving the status quo.

What little governments do accomplish is typically limited to the early years of their mandate. After that, the pledge to public service mutates into a sense of entitlement. That happened long ago to the Chretien-Martin Liberals.

Unless there are political points to score, there probably will be no action taken on the commissioner's report, which will join dozens of others the government has ignored over the years. Canadians must come to understand that, in a vibrant democracy, they must not let government cynicism, greed and political opportunism supersede the public interest.

© The Vancouver Sun 2005

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