(Chapter 9—Environmental Petitions—Fall 2013 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
Ottawa, 5 November 2013—In 2012–2013, petitioners raised concerns about federal research on hormone-disrupting substances, environmental risks related to the proposed increase in oil tanker traffic in waters off British Columbia, and long-term management of federal contaminated sites, says Neil Maxwell, interim Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, in his Fall 2013 report tabled today in Parliament. The Commissioner’s annual report on environmental petitions provides an overview of petitions submitted between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013, and of federal departments’ performance in responding to petitioners.
“A number of the petitions and responses received in recent years relate to topics that are covered in other chapters of my report, such as biological diversity, national parks, and conservation,” said Mr. Maxwell.
Twelve petitions were received this year, about half of which were submitted by past petitioners. Federal ministers responded to all petitions received, and 86 percent of responses were provided within the 120-day timeframe set out by in the Auditor General Act. Responses were found to be complete and relevant to the questions raised in the petitions, with some providing considerable depth and detail.
“We will continue to encourage departments to provide complete and relevant responses to petitions,” said Mr. Maxwell. “We will also continue to consider information from petitions and responses when we plan audits and studies.”
The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development administers the petitions process on behalf of the Auditor General of Canada. Petitions and responses, along with details about how to submit a petition, are posted on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.
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