Monday, June 18, 2007

Charlottetown Senator Percy Downe has requested the Government of Canada update research completed in June 2001 regarding the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels on Prince Edward Island.

“The potential impacts of climate change are of great importance for the economic and environmental future of Prince Edward Island. The livelihood of Prince Edward Islanders working in the fisheries and agricultural sectors depends on the environmental resources of the province. Flooding of low lying areas will dramatically impact all Islanders. The 2001 study also showed that private and public property in the residential and commercial sectors of Charlottetown are at risk of damage from flooding,” said Downe.

Senator Downe has confirmed that Environment Canada has not conducted any additional research related to the impact of climate change and rising sea levels on Prince Edward Island since the completion of the 2001 study.

“It is imperative that the Government of Canada provide new research funding so that the June 2001 report can be revised in its entirety. Up-to-date research is required in order to allow Islanders to take required action to manage the impact of climate change on our province,” continued Downe.

In June 2001, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada jointly released a report entitled Coastal Impacts of Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise on Prince Edward Island, as part of the Climate Change Action Fund Project.

***************************************************

April 19, 2007

The Honourable John Baird, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Environment
Environment Canada
10 Wellington Street, 27th Floor
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

Dear Minister Baird:

I am writing to share with you my concerns regarding the lack of updated research on the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels on Prince Edward Island. As you may be aware in June 2001, Environment Canada, National Resources Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada jointly released a report entitled Coastal Impacts of Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise on Prince Edward Island, as part of the Climate Change Action Fund Project.

Since 2001, other than the limited updated information included in Environment Canada’s 2006 Impacts of Sea-Level Rise and Climate Change on the Coastal Zone of Southeastern New Brunswick there has been no new work related to climate change induced sea-level rise on Prince Edward Island.

The potential impacts of climate change are of great importance for the economic and environmental future of Prince Edward Island. The livelihood of many Prince Edward Islanders involved in fisheries and agriculture directly depends on the environmental resources of the province. It is imperative that new research on the topic be conducted and that the June 2001 report be updated in its entirety.

I expect that you will see the value in updating such an important report and I look forward to hearing of your progress on this matter.

Sincerely,

Percy E. Downe
Senator