Response from Fisheries Minister to Letter Protesting Environment Regulation Change

I just received this response from Minister of Fisheries, Loyola Hearn. This is the letter I originally sent to Federal and Provincial Environment and Fisheries Ministers, and Opposition Critics. At least it's good to know that politicians are reading this.

Mr. _______________ (SMTP: ______@nl.rogers.com) Dear Mr. _________________: Thank you for your correspondence of May 30, 2006, regarding the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER) amendment process as it relates to the use of fish-bearing waters as tailing impoundment areas. Although the MMER are regulations created under the Fisheries Act, the administrative responsibility for these regulations have been delegated to Environment Canada, due to their broad expertise regarding environmental contaminants. Environment Canada is also responsible for carrying out the regulatory amendment process for the MMER. In order to facilitate public comment during the Canada Gazette process, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will refer all correspondence to the Honorable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Environment, for consideration when finalizing the amendments to the MMER. Thank you for your interest in the current regulatory amendment and for taking the time to bring your views to the Government of Canada. Sincerely, Loyola Hearn, P.C., M.P. c.c. The Honourable Rona Ambrose, P.C., M.P.