Ottawa, 13 December 2011—Few organizations aside from the federal government have the capacity to carry out credible, long-term environmental research and monitoring at a national level, says Scott Vaughan, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, in his report tabled today in Parliament.
“Environment Canada ensures that the scientific research it produces is based on principles of transparency that other world-class, science-based institutions apply,” said Mr. Vaughan.
The federal government’s role in environmental science was one of several issues noted in the Commissioner’s Perspective, which introduces and provides an overview of today’s report and identifies issues deserving of Parliament’s attention. In addition to the Perspective, the report contains three audits, two studies, and the annual report on environmental petitions.
As well as environmental science, the report discusses weaknesses in the management systems for enforcing federal regulations, and improvements needed in the oversight of compliance with these regulations. It cites a lack of diligence by Environment Canada, Transport Canada, and the National Energy Board in verifying that regulated parties have corrected identified instances of non-compliance.
“Environmental stewardship is complex,”said Mr. Vaughan. “It must be supported by scientific knowledge, environmental monitoring, and effective enforcement.”
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The chapter “The Commissioner’s Perspective” is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.
