George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, has sent the following letter to his federal counterpart, Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Heyman’s letter, in response to correspondence received from McKenna on April 26, 2018, can be viewed here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/316322_McKenna_FINAL_SIGNED.PDF

Heyman has outlined differences, as well as individual and shared priorities, of both governments related to protecting B.C.’s environment and economy from the effects of a catastrophic oil spill. He has also suggested areas where the federal government needs to do more in areas of its jurisdiction, including improvements to the federal government’s Oceans Protection Plan.

Heyman has also proposed ways both governments can co-operate on their respective research regarding the behaviour of spilled heavy oils, as well as ways to jointly improve environmental protection.