Mr. Speaker, on March 25 in Grise Fiord, a second public meeting was held to address concerns over ocean dumping of industrial scrap in Canada's Arctic region.
During the meeting, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Inuit representatives continued to object strongly to issuing a permit to allow PanArctic Oil to dispose 400 tonnes of scrap metal into the ocean adjacent to Lougheed Island. Mr. Speaker, concern was also expressed over the Government of Canada's general policy of authorizing the dumping of industrial scrap material in the Arctic Ocean.
Our government and Inuit representatives recommended that PanArctic's permit be withheld until a thorough review of ocean dumping in the Arctic is done. They also recommended that as much material as possible be reused and a proper review of disposal options be undertaken.
These recommendations and others made during the meeting are being forwarded to the Honourable Jean Charest, the federal Minister of the Environment. I have written to Mr. Charest urging him to express support for the recommendations prior to April 15, when PanArctic's ocean dumping permit comes into effect. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.