Bill C-402 (Historical)

National Environmental Standards Act

An Act to provide for the harmonization of environmental standards throughout Canada

The purpose of this enactment is to establish a process of consultation with the provinces in order to achieve uniformity in the environmental standards applied throughout the country.
The Minister of the Environment is required to convene a conference of provincial ministers of the environment and to establish an advisory committee on uniformity in environmental standards. The Committee is responsible for the preparation of a report to be laid by the Minister before each House of Parliament and to be considered by the appropriate Standing Committees.

National Environmental Standards Act

[Mario Silva, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-402, An Act to provide for the harmonization of environmental standards throughout Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to reintroduce my private member's bill, calling for the harmonization of environmental standards through Canada.

Current environmental practices are well-intentioned, but in many cases they simply work in an ineffective and uncoordinated way. If there is one thing we must know about an effective response to serious environmental degradation, it is that a coordination of efforts and resources are needed to make a lasting and serious difference.

I therefore urge the government and all present to untie the hands of existing environmental protection efforts and to co-operate toward a greener future and a cleaner future.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)