Senate Speeches

In the summer of 2003, The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met in Ottawa, Canada. The committee resumed consideration of its Order of Reference Pertaining to its study on matters relating to straddling fish stocks and to fish habitats.

Senators Adams, Comeau, Cook, Hubley, Mahovlich, Phalen and Watt joined with Terrance Long, Morley Googoo, Wanda Arnold, Rick Hanoski, Dr. Jennifer Mokos and Claude Emery.

Their discussions brought about a beginning of insight and understanding for Canadians on the effects and hazards of munitions that were dumped in our oceans, seas, lakes and rivers. Here some key points were made including:

Ms. Arnold's desire to "illuminate the magnitude of the issue of habitat protection and the consequences that will occur if swift and responsible action is not undertaken.

Dr. Mokos' hopes "that the risk issues that I present will support not only our concern for the First Nation people, but also for the citizens of Canada, the environment and the marine ecosystem."

Mr. Long suggested that "Non-intrusive marine surveys should be carried out over the affected areas employing a number of different techniques, which can vary in costs. Fusion techniques such as the combination of side scan sonar, electromagnetic detectors, magnetometers and underwater television monitors could identify most anomalies and assist in future investigation."

Senator Phalen expressed, "The situation looks like a disaster waiting to happen."

Senator Hubley asked, "On a global perspective, have countries kept track of where these dumps are? Do you have an idea of where they are, or do you have to detect them in some other way? Do you have to wait until you have a problem? What is the amount of research that is taking place with respect to these munitions sites that you know about? Is it done in Canada? Is it done in other parts of the world? What progress is being made from a scientific standpoint?"

The Chairman informed the group, "I have a press clipping from last November 27, 2002. The beginning of the clipping says, "Some 27,000 tons of hazardous World War II chemical weapons dumped in the Baltic Sea could cause a Maritime Chernobyl" This information was relayed by a senior Russian official, human rights ombudsman Oleg Mironov. It also says, "Russian scientists have previously warned that a deep sea dump of Nazi chemical weapons threatened to pollute the North Sea and the Baltic." The article goes on to say that, "The question ought to be studied by the United Nations, the Council of Europe and NATO."

The question, in fact, ought to be studied by the world!

Join us in Halifax, Nova Scotia from October 9--11, 2007.