[SWUCSUE oust Lelce TACCESA UME CRUATON Spiess, Thierry (NRCAN/RNCAN) From: 5 (NRCan/RNCan) Sent: November 22, 2016 09:18 To: INRCAN/RNCAN), NRCan/RNCan); (NRCAN/RNCAN) Ce - (NRCan/RNCan) Subject: RE: PRIORITY: New Research: Oil sands and the oceans ‘Thanks for this Thierry. It might be worthwhile if you could politely engage them as to their source for point 4. They must mean upstream, right? As you note, combustion of RPPS, diesel/gasoline, are same, irrespective of feedstock. ._(NRCAN/RNCAN) (vRCan/RNCan); INRCan/RNCan); (INRCAN/RNCAN) (INRCan/RNCan) : RE: PRIORITY: New Research: Oil sands and the oceans Regarding point 2 “Lessons learned from conventional oil spills are not sufficient” ‘The Government of Canada has sound scientific information available on the behavior and effects of diluted bitumen in water that would guide a coordinated response in the event of a spill. The Coastal Strategy includes funding of $XX over the next five years for NRCan, ECCC and DFO to support further research in this area to help spill responders better understand and predict the behaviour of diluted bitumen and improve traditional and alternative ol spill recovery techniques" (Source: Q&A on the Coastal Strategy, Nov.7" 2016}. Regarding point 4 "Climate impact on marine environments are currently excluded” ‘The statement that the combustion of oil sands products contributes disproportionality to global climate change is wrong in my opinion. According to the HIS study (2014), Tank-To-Wheel emissions (i.e. combustion) are both the same for US Average Crude and Canadian unconventional crude. As far as Well-to-Tank, oil sands crude are within the same range than 45% of crude oll supplied to US refineries (HIS, 2014). | can get in touch with the authors if required..1? From: .._.., ---».- (NRCan/RNCan) Sent: Noverber 21, 2016 19:24 To: NRCan/RNCan); £ 1 (NRCAN/RNCAN), (NRCAN/RNCAN) Ce: Trigylidas, Dennis (NRCan/RNCan) ‘Subject: Fw: PRIORITY: New Research: Oil sands and the oceans Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Rogers network. From: 2 (NRCan/RNCan) « ‘@canada.ca> Sent: Monday, November 21, 2016 6:43 PM NRCan-RNCan_A.2016-00482-p.0029SKGuE ous tALONOCUAcCSeALHEOUNRTEN To a NBCAn/BNC AA Subject: FW: PRIORITY: New Research: Oil sands and the oceans fyi From NNRCan/RNCan) Sent: Monday. November 2016 18:32 To: (INRCan/RNCan) ‘Subject: FW: PRIORITY: New Research: Oil sands and the oceans YL From NRCAN/RNCAN) Sent: November 21, 2016 14:29 Te (NRCan/RNCan} (NRCan/RNCan); INRCan/RNCan) ce (NRCAN/RNCAN) (INRCan/RNCan) ‘Subject: FW: PRIORITY: New Research: Oil sands and the oceans Hello The composition of diluted bitumen is not a trade secret. As the authors of the report mention, one can get the detailed composition and properties of examples of diluted bitumen from crude monitor (e.g. Albian Heavy Synthetic which is a dilsynbit, Statoil Cheecham Synbit, Long Lake Heavy (a synbit), etc.). At CanmetENERGY-Devon we have received samples of diluted bitumen fram industry and have been free to analyse, test (for example oil spill tests) and publish the results, Ina recent AMOP presentation, Dr. Dettman was free to identify the diluted bitumen samples she ‘worked on, which were in this case, samples of the diluted bitumens Cold Lake Blend and Western Canadian Select. Also, the foundation of their statement “The composition of diluted bitumen is currently protected as a trade secret” is simply wrong as it implies there is only one diluted bitumen. This is analogous to the mistaken belief that there is only one type of conventional crude oil. The composition of diluted bitumens and conventional crudes will vary, which is, why we are testing a series of samples in order to cover the range of potential spill behaviour. Peripheral to the above [As you are aware there was in an issue in 2015 when a pipeline company asked that we agree to use generic names for the samples of diluted bitumen they supplied to us for our research, We were also to supply ECCC and DFO these samples for their work. We were fine with that condition as this did not restrict us in any way as to the R&D and analyses that we could do and publish, However, ECCC had a significant problem with that NDA as they wanted to be able to identify the source of the diluted bitumen on their website. However, this situation was an exception. Just flagging it in case it comes up in subsequent discussions. (NRCany/RNCAn) November 21, 2016 12:22 'NRCAN/RNCAN) NRCan/RNCan); (NRCan/RNCan) (NRCAN/RNCAN; (NRCan/RNC2n) ‘Subject: PRIORITY: New Research: Oil sands and the oceans Pls prepare quick response on this. Tks. NRCan-RNCan_A-2016-00482-p.0030s.49(1) SraKuE SOUS (ALEX CEUACCER ALINFORAATN De: NRCan/RNCan) « > Envoye: lundi 21 novembre 2016 13:33 A (NNRCan/RNCan) Cer (NRCan/RNCan); INRCan/RNCan) Objet: Fiv: New Research: Oil sands and the oceans Any truth to their claim that the composition of dilbit is a trade secret ~ so that scientists cannot actually test it? From: (On Behalf Of Wendy Palen Sent: November 21, 2016 11:58 AM To: justin.trudeau@iparl.gc.ca; Prime Minister/Premier Ministre Ce: Navdeep.Bains@parl.ac.ca; carolyn. bennett@parl,qc.ca; Marie-Claude. Bibeau@parl.ac.ca; scott, brison@parl.ac.ca; jim, Carr@parl.gc.ca; NRCan Minister-Ministre, RNCan@canada.ca; Bardish,Chagger@parl.gc.ca; ‘stephane.dion@parl.ge.ca; Jean-Yves.Ouclos@ par. ac.c ans duces hecho st ncan@parlgc.ca; Judy.foote@parl.ac.ca; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.qc.ca; marc.garneau@parl.oc.ca; jarl.gc.ca; tty Paslobons eas bank atroparae a: teenie ohana aca; lontilene,)ov@canad.ce sdominic.leblanc@ipari.ac.ca; Diane. Lebouthilier@par.ac.ca; lawrence, macaulay@parl.ac.ca; (Catherine. McKenna@parl.ac.ca; catherine.mckenna@canada.ca; ec.ministre-ministerec@canada.ca; MaryAnn, Mihychuk@parlgc.ca; Maryam Monsef@parl.ac.ca; Bill.Moreau@parl.ac.ca; Jane. Philpott@parl.ac.co; Carla.Qualtrough@parl.qc.ca; Hon.Carla Qualtrouah@canada.ca; Harit.Sajjan@parl.gc.ca; Amarieet.Sohi@parl.ac.ce; amarjeet.sohi@canada.ca; Jody.Wilson-Raybould@parl.ac.ca; Caron, Zoe; marlo.taynolds@canada.ca; jon- paul jepp@cenada.ca; michael.rau@canada.ca; janet annesley@canada.ca; Thomas D Sisk; Stephanie Green; Michael Arbeider; Kyle Demes; Anne Salomon; Margot Webster; Maureen Ryan ‘Subject: New Research: Oil sands and the oceans Dear Prime Minister. On behalf of my co-authors. | am excited to share with you the following new research on oil sands and the marine environment. Attached is a brief summary and an embargoed copy of our forthcoming paper for your review Sincerely. Dr. Wendy Palen ‘Wendy J. Palen Associate Prot Aquatic Conservation, Farth to Ocean Research Group. Assistant Director Liber Ero Fellows Program (www. ‘Simon Fraser University Department of Biological Burnaby. BC V5A 186, Canada NRCan-RNCan_A.2016-00482-p.0031hup://palenlab,wordpress.com/ "If you look at the science about what is happening on earth and aren't pessimistic, you don't understand the data. But if you meet the people who are working to restore this earth and the lives of the poor. and you ar optimistic, you haven't got a pulse." Paul Hawken NNRCan-RNCan_A.2016-00482-p.0032I exeaaco wioen ie Access To MronwAnoN cr Grants sobstale setae keane CENTER FOR NORTHERN Me OCEAN ORBEA ‘The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C, M.P Prime Minister of Canada Langevin Block, 80 Wellington St. Ottawa, Ontario K1A0A3 November 21, 2016 Dear Prime Minister, The attention of Canadian scientists, policy makers, First Nations, and the public is focused on a series of upcoming decisions regarding large unconventional oil and gas development and transportation proposals. Your government has championed the importance of science in effective decision-makihg, and encouraged government as well as independent scientists to play a role in crafting policy. We recently authored a scientific paper that is in-press at the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment that has direct bearing on these upcoming decisions. We are writing to share an embargoed copy of the study as well as this brief summary to inform your deliberations. We conducted the first global analysis of the state of scientific understanding regarding 15 pathways through which the extraction and transportation of bitumen products from oil sands can negatively affect Canada's oceans. Impacts range from the effects of bitumen product spills in the ocean, to the effects of increased tanker traffic on marine mammals, to the intensifying stresses on oceans caused by the combustion of oil sands products (ie. increasing acidity and temperature, rapid sea- level rise). Based on the scientific evidence, we find that there are large unexamined risks to the marine environment from oil sands products. The assumption that bitumen impacts n the ocean can be effectively mitigated is sclentifically unfounded, and we believe that approval of new projects is problematic, not irresponsible given the lack ofscience needed to inform robust risk assessment. In particular, we found; 1, Inadequate science and scientific study. There is almost no publicly available scientific information about the behaviour, fate, and toxicity of oil sands products in marine environments. This knowledge gap prevents rigorous evaluation of the risks posed by potential spills, or the development and independent evaluation of effective mitigation measures. 2. Lessons from conventional oil spills are not sufficient. The assumption that risk assessment can be based on best practices learned from responses to spills of conventional oil is not supported by scientific evidence. NRCan-RNCan_A-2016-00482-p.0033Sr Ss ALSO CASES A MFO 3. Administrative roadblocks prevent scientists from studying oll sands products in the ocean. The composition of diluted bitumen is currently protected as a trade secret. Public disclosure of the chemical composition of oil sands products—and how these vary across space and over time— is urgently needed to conduct relevant scientific studies on the potential effects of bitumen on marine ecosystems, 4, Climate impacts on marine environments are currently excluded. The combustion of oil sands products contributes disproportionately to global climate change. The negative impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity are clear and very well studied, yet downstream effects of greenhouse gas emissions are currently excluded from risk assessments for oil sands development and transportation proposals. 5, Impacts are far reaching. Each type of impact generated by oil sands development has the potential to alter species interactions (eg. predation, competition) at multiple levels in marine food webs, and the combined consequences have not been rigorously examined. Critical impacts to species at risk, including marine mammals, have not been adequately studied or considered. 6. Impacts are not independent. Up to 10 of the 15 impact pathways co-occur within the footprint of proposed coastal tanker routes. Few scientific studies have examined the effect of two or more impacts arising simultaneously, yet evidence suggests that co-occurring impacts create new forms of unexamined risk to the oceans, As independent academic scientists at Canadian and US universities; including senior faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate research assistants, we feel an obligation that our work be offered directly in service of effective evidence-based decision making that will determine the future of Canada’s oceans and the world's atmosphere. We would like to request a meeting to discuss how this analysis can inform the development of energy policy that prioritizes safeguarding marine biodiversity, protecting human health, respecting treaty rights, and rapidly reducing carbon pollution. Weare at your service. Respectfully, ‘Stephanie J. Green, PhD Group, Department of Biological Banting Postdoctoral Scholar, Center Sciences, Simon Fraser University for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University ‘Thomas D. Sisk, PhD Professor and Olajos-Goslow Chair of Wendy J. Palen, PhD Environmental Science and Policy and Professor, Earth to Ocean Research Director, Landscape Conservation Initiative, Northern Arizona University NRCan-RNCan_A-2016-00482-p.0034s.19(1) ‘BeALGoe SOUS LALOLDE CAGOESALINFORUATION Kyle Demes, PhD Envirgnmental Management, Simon Hakai Institue, Heriot Bay Fraser University Michael Arbeider, Maureen E. Ryan, PhD Barth to Ocean Research Group, Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University Simon Fraser University Anne K. Salomon, PhD Margot Webster, Professor, Coastal Marine Ecology and ‘School of Resource and Environmental Conservation, School of Resource and Management, Simon Fraser University For more information, please contact: Dr. Stephanie Green, lead auth: Dr. Thomas Sisk: Dr. Anne Salomon: Dr, Wendy Pale! NNRCan-RNCan_A-2016.00482-p.0035EMBARGOED - NOT FOR EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION Oil sands and the marine environment: current knowledge and future challenges | Stephanie J Green, Kyle Demes, Michael Arbeider, Wendy J Palen, Anne K Salomon, Thomas D Sisk, Margot Webster, and Maureen E Ryan Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment; in press Embargoed manuscript This manuscript is under strict embargo until online publication by Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. Not for general circulation or distribution to the media or the public. Publicly available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.comidoi/10.1002Mfee.1446/full NRCan-RNCan_A-2016.00482-p.0036Pages 37 to/a55 are public-denied pursuant to section est public-refusé en vertu de l'article 68(a) of the Access to Information de la Loi sur I'accés a l'informationSinud cous Atel oe SCRE ANTON Green, 5, Demes, K., Arbeider, M., Palen, W.., Salomon, AX. Sisk,T.D., Webster, M. and Ryan, MLE. “Oil Sands and the marine environment: current knowledge and future challenges” ‘Authors claim to be performing a whole-system analysis of the sources of stress and disturbance that will be brought to bear on the marine environment with increasing production of oil sands bitumen, its transportation to the BC coast as diluted bitumen in new pipelines, and its subsequent removal from the BC coast by tanker ships destined for foreign ports. They have identified keys issues of concern for the wide ranging effects of oil sands development on marine biota by assessing 15 sources of stress and disturbance with respect to: 1. Coastal storage and oceanic transport of bitumen products 2. Industry-derived greenhouse gases contributing to ocean climate change Akey concern for the authors is the potential lack of knowledge for the fate, behaviour and biological effects of bitumen spilled in the ocean. They have organized their information to assess cumulative effects of multiple stressors acting at the same time on the marine system. From this work the authors ‘recommend priority research they believe is needed to be able to make informed policy decisions for permitting increased production of oil sands bitumen. ‘Comments on their analysis: 1) The authors seem to believe that the major source of greenhouse gases causing climate change is the production of oil sands bitumen. The apparent assumption is that if bitumen production is prevented, climate change impacts on the ocean will be minimized. This is not true. Most emissions are released from transportation fuels when they are burned in vehicles. The authors are not recommending the restriction of consumer use of petroleum products consequently, fuels will be burned with the resulting GHGs and impacts on the ocean regardless of whether they are sourced from oil sands or other petroleum production sites. 2). Bitumen and diluted bitumen are petroleum-based oils. The authors mention that there is much ‘work on the toxicity of crude oils, the conclusions from which focus on acute toxicity effects derived from contents of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) as well as potential toxicity due to contents of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) in the oils. These analyses focus on the “light ends” of the crudes with carbon numbers less than 40 (Cé0) in both conventional crudes an diluted bitumen as the ols ‘weather in matine environments. The science program at NRCan being proposed under the (Ocean Protection Pian wil study natural degradation processes and collaborate with toxicity researchers to determine how il toxicity changes with weathering to know at what point the remaining ols “environmentally benign’. This information will help responders decide how ‘much to respond tool sls in diferent marine envionments, and judge when end-points have been reached. Finally the authors raise concerns for cumulative effects on marine biota due to increased ‘storage and transportation of diluted bitumen along the coast. The discussion sounds lke there islitle/no trafic now. 1am wondering by how much the shiping traffic wil increase inthe Vancouver area due tothe TransMountain pipeline expansion (this is probably in the TMX pplication document). How does the proposed trafic the Vancouver area compare to the curtent traffic in Seattle, San Francisco or Los Angeles as other west cast pots that (I blieve) have much higher traffic than Vancouver will have. Perhaps there is information availabe from ‘those ports on the cumulative impacts on their marine biota of interest? NRCan-RNCan_A.2016.00482-p.0059