Evidence of meeting #31 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was nature.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Peter Kendall  Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Earth Rangers
Len Ugarenko  President, Wildlife Habitat Canada
Sophie Gallais  Project Manager, Protected Areas, Nature Québec
Mark Northwood  President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Earth Rangers

5 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa

Very good. Your time has expired.

Ms. Rempel, you have the last five minutes.

5 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Centre-North, AB

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My first question is for Ms. Gallais.

We've been speaking a lot during the course of our study about partnerships, partnerships with the provinces in particular, and how we can achieve some of our conservation objectives. So I think you bring a very interesting perspective, as your organization is based out of Quebec. Are you aware of the Province of Quebec's plan nord, that was recently released?

5 p.m.

Project Manager, Protected Areas, Nature Québec

5 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Centre-North, AB

The concept of plan nord and other provincial land use planning frameworks is to do what we were talking about earlier. Answering that question, what should provinces be doing with their land? How should it be used? What sort of biodiversity targets should be maintained and whatnot?

In your organization's opinion, how have you contributed to that dynamic, and how do you see that working relationship contributing to a national conservation plan?

5 p.m.

Project Manager, Protected Areas, Nature Québec

Sophie Gallais

A partner-issue table was created under the northern plan, for example. The partner-issue table concept is a promising one for a national conservation plan. That table involved both the aboriginal communities and representatives of various regions and industries, as well as representatives of the environmental, sustainable development and transportation sectors.

In the context of the sustainable development of that area, the coordination committee helped achieve a better balance among the economic, social and environmental aspects of development. In my opinion, there are still some challenges, but we were able to make an overall contribution through various committees.

5 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Centre-North, AB

Again, because we're looking at provincial partnerships, could you succinctly describe a few of the key challenges that you think might be unique to Quebec with regard to the development of a national conservation plan?

5 p.m.

Project Manager, Protected Areas, Nature Québec

Sophie Gallais

In work done in partnership, there are problems at various levels, hence, I believe, the importance of cooperation. Aboriginal communities and a provincial government may not see eye to eye. The federal government is often the preferred liaison for the aboriginal communities. The industrial and environmental sectors do not always do the best job of talking to each other. Cooperation plays a fundamentally important role. One of the challenges of the national conservation plan will be to bring these various stakeholders together, but I believe it is important for them all to have a say, if we want to ensure that the concerns of all Canadians are reflected.

5 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Centre-North, AB

Merci.

To Mr. Kendall—

5 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa

On a point of order, Mr. Choquette.

5 p.m.

NDP

François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC

Mr. Chair, according to our schedule, we were to finish at 5 p.m. However, I understand that we are going to continue until 5:30. Would any members have liked to give notices of motion?

5 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa

This is to speak to the point of order. We have scheduled some time for some business. Ms. Duncan was late getting here, so I've used my discretion to allow time. So I'm going to allow Ms. Rempel to continue. She has another minute and a half, then we will be suspending the meeting and going in camera.

5 p.m.

NDP

François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC

I have no objection, but it seems to me that, according to the Standing Orders, we would have to have everyone's consent to extend the meeting, wouldn't we?

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa

Speaking to that point of order, at 5:30 we would need to have consent to extend the meeting. However, it is at the discretion of the chair as to when to go into the in camera meeting, so I'm using that discretion.

5:05 p.m.

NDP

François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC

My honourable colleague, Kirsty Duncan, who arrived late, would perhaps like to ask some questions as well. If she wanted to ask questions, and since we deviated from the schedule for Ms. Rempel, I believe it would be fair for us to do the same for Ms. Duncan. If we require unanimous consent, I am prepared to give it for that purpose.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa

Again, I'm using my discretion because of the recent arrival of Ms. Duncan. I'm going to be ending the meeting in a minute and a half. That's my ruling.

We have a point of order from Ms. Duncan.

5:05 p.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Mr. Chair, I didn't think it was standard practice to announce if someone is late. We respect that. We all have very busy schedules. I was speaking in the House. I don't think we're usually punished for being late. I ran all the way from the House, where I was speaking on OAS. I got here at 4:55, and we were supposed to go in camera at 5 o'clock for the motions. I'd just like the committee to take note of this, please.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa

Note taken.

Is there any further discussion on that?

Okay, then proceed, Ms. Rempel.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Centre-North, AB

Mr. Kendall, your organization focuses on connecting youth with conservation. We have talked about that aspect with a couple of other groups. We had an aboriginal organization here earlier. They said that one of the challenges they faced in contributing to conservation was the connection with aboriginal youth. Does your organization work with aboriginal youth at all? Are you aware of any other groups that it might be useful for us to consult with?

5:05 p.m.

Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Earth Rangers

Peter Kendall

We have brought our existing program to first nations communities. I wouldn't say that we work specifically with aboriginal youth. I am not aware of any organizations that focus on that.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

Michelle Rempel Conservative Calgary Centre-North, AB

Mr. Ugarenko, you talked a little bit about an increase in the price of the stamp as a way to promote or fund conservation activities. Are there any other financial, incentive-based measures that you think we should consider in developing a national conservation plan?

5:05 p.m.

President, Wildlife Habitat Canada

Len Ugarenko

If you are going to use a grants program as a financial incentive, think about what that program can leverage, and perhaps think about the people who will be participating in it and how much money they have to bring to the table. An art grants program would work on a one-to-one match, but your chances are much better if you have two-to-one or three-to-one.

It doesn't have to be money; a lot of these groups get in-kind services. They know the guy who owns the bulldozer on his farm, and he will take it over and help them with their conservation project. There are creative things that can be put into the implementation section of the plan.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Mark Warawa

Thank you very much. The time has expired.

We are going to suspend for about—

Mr. Lunney.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

James Lunney Conservative Nanaimo—Alberni, BC

We had one member who arrived a bit late. If there were unanimous consent, could we extend the meeting by five minutes and allow—?

5:05 p.m.

An hon. member

No.

5:05 p.m.

Conservative

James Lunney Conservative Nanaimo—Alberni, BC

There is not consent. Okay. Thank you.