The Deputy Minister of Environment was asked to set the context for this meeting, as it is his Minister who is seeking to have Cabinet affirm the earlier directive.

 

The DM (Environment) reminded colleagues that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss developments since his Minister’s order to the CRD to develop a plan for secondary treatment.  The reason for this review is mounting public concern over the need for secondary treatment, and the looming political issues with certain municipal and provincial (and probable federal) elections over the course of the next year.  The public service needs to be prepared to offer advice, and the growing public concern challenges this.

 

The key question, as posed by the Deputy, is whether anything has really changed since the 2003 and 2006 decisions that saw the Minister issue the order to CRD.  

 

There is the new issue of climate change.  But the legal obligation is unchanged: present practice is not tenable.  The international context is unchanged; and Washington State concerns continue.  Fisheries Act, Waste Management Act still apply.  CCME working on regulations to come into force in 2010; under all these requirements, the Capital Region is clearly out of compliance - implying a deadline of 2020 for completion of secondary treatment.