Public Accounts committee  Yes, we try to mobilize as many of our resources as possible to respond to these types of situations. The operators themselves are also required to have equipment on ships to be able to respond to a situation like this. We are currently holding consultations on this. So we urge people to participate in the process.

Public Accounts committee  I think the specific number is 17 communities. There are those, and we're continuously trying to build the awareness. I'm not going to say that every month that goes by we have a new partner, but as people become aware of the engagement and the platform and what it offers, we are getting more who want to be part of this platform and this partnership.

Public Accounts committee  I would have to talk to my team as to whether or not we have specific targets. We may. For us, the target is as many as possible, because it's a win-win kind of platform for those living in those communities and for us in terms of information and data sharing.

Public Accounts committee  We have advanced some regulations through Bill C-33, which is in the House now. It is making its way through. Part of that will allow for greater authorities for us to direct certain actions if events are taking place. It will also allow for better information sharing and for requiring operators to do certain things, depending on what the science is telling us and on what the implications are for the north and the Arctic.

Public Accounts committee  I couldn't comment on that. I'd have to get back to you on that.

Public Accounts committee  I'd have to get back to you on the specifics of that.

Public Accounts committee  It's an important question. I don't want to answer on a matter for which I don't have full information.

Public Accounts committee  I think that one would definitely need to be directed to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Public Accounts committee  I would direct that one to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as well.

Public Accounts committee  If I could just add on that.... This is definitely a question better addressed to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. However, on the platform that I referenced earlier in the engagement with indigenous people in the north, they are able to actually report out when they see illegal activity or what they think might be illegal activity.

Public Accounts committee  As I indicated earlier, we have a number of international collaborations and we are exchanging best practices. I would say that Canada actually is a leader in how it engages in particular the EMSA that you've just referenced. The development and the implementation of this project have actually been very much led by our indigenous partners.

Public Accounts committee  I can respond to that. Thank you. Part of it is governance, as has just been indicated, and having clearer lines of communication and protocols. Part of it is data—you've already alluded to that—and making sure we are collecting the data and that it is going into systems that people can access.