Environment committee  Thank you for your question, Ms. Pauzé. The clean water and wastewater fund is a program linked to the federal infrastructure plan. The goal of this infrastructure plan is to ensure economic growth and job creation, which is a good thing. I think that it's a noble goal. However, the environmental impact of projects should be taken into consideration.

Environment committee  Thank you for your question. This is a major issue at home in Saguenay. We've been working on this matter for a number of months. First, I'll focus on the procedure. There isn't any procedure right now. I understand that various cases in other parts of Canada could potentially fall under the responsibility of the federal government.

Environment committee  Obviously—

Environment committee  Yes, exactly. It makes sense. The Government of Canada is currently having some trouble acknowledging its responsibility. I'm not saying that it isn't doing so. However, it's challenging to obtain some form of acknowledgement of responsibility. Once this responsibility has been acknowledged, in my opinion, the Government of Canada must cover the costs.

Environment committee  In a strange coincidence, today Quebec announced $6.4 million in funding for washing stations. Ottawa currently doesn't provide any funding. In the Lac‑Saint‑Jean area, a $1.1 million project is under way to install about 15 washing stations. Quebec is providing $115,000 and Ottawa $0.

Environment committee  Thank you for your question, Ms. Pauzé. The issue of whether it makes sense remains unresolved. Granted, decentralizing jurisdictions and powers from Ottawa to Quebec and the municipalities is a tricky business. The control of navigation on bodies of water is a fairly simple, eloquent and striking example.

Environment committee  Thank you very much. Mr. Chair and members of the committee, it's an honour to be with you today on behalf of the Conseil régional de l’environnement et du développement durable du Saguenay–Lac-Saint- Jean. Today, I would like to talk to you about three topics that I believe are essential to your work on freshwater.