Posted on 04 June 2010
Ottawa, June 4, 2010 – As part of its commitment to inform and reassure Canadians in light of the horrendous events that have been taking place in the Gulf of Mexico, the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources has called Chevron Canada Ltd. and other offshore drilling participants to testify on the status of Atlantic offshore drilling.
“Our committee is conducting these hearings to educate and inform Canadians about offshore drilling and exploration in Canada. Canadians are questioning whether we have sufficient regulatory and other safety regimes in place to minimize the risk of a similar disaster in Canadian waters. Based on the evidence we have received so far, the committee has expressed its support for an immediate and thorough review of all rules and regulations, provincial and federal, which are presently in place to govern Canada’s offshore petroleum exploration and development” said Senator David Angus, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.
Since the committee’s hearings began last week, testimony has been heard from Max Ruelokke, Chairman and CEO of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board; Stuart Pinks, CEO of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board; and Craig Stewart, Director of the Arctic Program at the World Wildlife Fund Canada. Over the coming weeks, the committee will hear testimony from Natural Resources Canada, Chevron Canada, the National Energy Board, the Eastern Canada Response Corporation, the Coast Guard, Husky Energy, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, and the Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia.
The committee will be hearing from Chevron Canada Ltd. on Thursday, June 10, 2010. Chevron is currently drilling the deepest exploration well in Canada, known as the Lona O-55, in the Orphan Basin off the coast of Newfoundland. In May 2010, the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board announced special oversight measures for this drilling program in light of the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. The committee will be especially interested in hearing what measures Chevron is implementing to reassure Canadians and regulators that every precaution is being taken to avoid an environmental catastrophe.
Regarding offshore drilling on Canada’s West coast, the committee intends to clarify the terms of the moratoria in place in waters in that offshore area. To this end, the committee will investigate this and other issues through witness testimony from Natural Resources Canada.
“We are questioning these witnesses to ensure the risks of similar accidents occurring are being minimized,” said Senator Grant Mitchell, deputy chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.
For the past nine months, the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources has been engaged in an in-depth study to examine Canada’s energy system. The objective is to craft an energy vision for the country under a Canadian clean energy strategy that raises prosperity for all regions and ensures a sustainable future for coming generations.
The committee intends to release a report of its findings on the status of Atlantic offshore drilling upon completion of their hearings. The interim report on their study of the current and future state of energy in Canada is expected by the end of June 2010.
The committee meets regularly on Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (but not before the Senate rises) and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. when the Senate is sitting.
For further information, visit the committee website at: www.senate-senat.ca/eenr-eern.asp.
To schedule an interview or learn more about the committee, please contact:
Tracie LeBlanc Lynn Gordon
Media Relations Clerk of the committee
613-995-1952 or 1-800-267-7362 613-991-3620
leblat@sen.parl.gc.ca gordol@sen.parl.gc.ca