Evidence of meeting #2 for Bill C-30 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was witnesses.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Chad Mariage

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Laurie Hawn

We have a quorum. I'd like to call to order meeting number two of the special legislative committee on Bill C-30.

My military mind likes to start things on time, so I appreciate everybody being here. I hope we can continue to do that. We have a lot of work ahead of us, so it's important that we start on time and get to it.

I'd just ask the media to clear the room.

I want to welcome everybody back. I hope everybody had a good break at Christmas--and the word “break” is in italics, because everybody worked pretty hard over Christmas. I know I did; I'm sure you all did too. I hope everybody's ready to work hard, because Canadians are watching us and they're wanting to see some progress on what's an important issue for all of us.

I'd like to put out a plea to everybody on all sides that this is not question period. I know it's naive to say let's park the partisan politics, but let's do that as much as we can and work in a spirit of cooperation, because this is obviously an important issue for all Canadians and all parties in the House.

We want to go back to the House with a good quality product in a good timeframe--that will be up to members of the committee--so we can take back to the House and ultimately the Canadian people something that will make a difference for Canada, for the world, for our children and our grandchildren. It will probably always be a work in progress, but the key word is “progress”, and that's what we're here to initiate.

I'm looking forward to the task in a spirit of cooperation. I'm sure everybody here is as well, and we'll press on with the agenda.

Mr. Cullen.

3:30 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Thank you, Chair.

In the spirit of your comments about moving with some haste, I asked my staff to gather the testimony from witnesses this committee and the committee in the previous Parliament heard on the specific topic of climate change and Canada's role in climate change. What you see in front of me is that information. Much of the testimony is extremely relevant to what we're talking about today. It's obviously a very wide view of the issues. I know the earnestness of committee members from all parties around the table to be aware of what we've already heard, and to not repeat information. As diligent committee members, I think it's incumbent upon us to be aware of what's already been done.

I will submit this to the clerk's desk. There has been a suggestion, and I take it well, that we'll place this all on CD so we won't have to create so much paper.

I think it's of note and importance to realize that for more than two and a half years committees have been studying this specific topic we are embarking on right now. We've spent much of our time and much of taxpayers' time delving into the issue, into the answers and solutions, and those are at our fingertips, literally, for the committee to choose from. So I submit this for the clerk's privilege.

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Laurie Hawn

I would ask you to perhaps put that in the form of a motion so we can get it condensed into CD and pass it out and so on. I'm sure it will be unanimous, but I'd request that you put it in the form of a motion.

3:30 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Absolutely. Would you like that motion now, Chair?

3:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Laurie Hawn

Please.

3:30 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

I move that the committee accept the testimony from witnesses that has previously been viewed both here at the environment committee and also at the natural resources committee. They have also spent time on this very subject. That is my motion.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Laurie Hawn

No discussion?

Mr. Warawa.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I think it's a very good idea and I thank Mr. Cullen for suggesting it. I just want clarification. Are we talking about Bill C-288 or are we just talking about the last Parliament?

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Chair, if I may, there are three main pieces: one is from the natural resources committee that specifically looked at climate change in Canada; the second is testimony on Bill C-288, which we most recently looked at over approximately a five-week period; and the third and most substantial set is what the committee in the 38th Parliament looked at for some number of months, six months or more--it's the witnesses' testimony and some of the information they submitted to the committee.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC

Okay. There was a minority report also as part of that report. Is that part of it?

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

I'm unsure of that, Chair. We can certainly make it part of the committee's final report.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC

So will it be part of it--the minority report?

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

I don't see why not; it's rather small.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC

Thank you. I support that.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Laurie Hawn

Mr. Cullen, as stated, the clerk does not have that motion in front of him, in writing. Is it possible to scribble it out while a couple more people make comments?

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

We'll dash something out for the committee to see in writing, if that would help the clerk.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Laurie Hawn

Yes.

Mr. Godfrey.

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

John Godfrey Liberal Don Valley West, ON

I just want to make sure that in fact we're discussing two different motions. This is one motion, and then there's a second one that deals with a potential steering committee. I assume we're not voting or discussing that now.

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Mr. Chair, to be clear, my staff are just reminding me that the motion is in front of the committee. There are two separate motions here. That's correct. Sorry.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Laurie Hawn

This one talks about Bill C-288, not the natural resources part.

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Right.

If I can make an amendment to that motion, it would be just simply to include the natural resources testimony as well. It's completely relevant to the topic, and important. If that amendment is required, then I make it and the motion stands as viewed.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Laurie Hawn

Okay.

As a question for clarification, Mr. Cullen, the natural resources committee studied the oil sands as well. What timeframe are we talking about?

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

I believe it was the 38th Parliament, Chair.

3:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Laurie Hawn

It was before the industry committee. Or was it industry and natural resources?

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

The Standing Committee on Natural Resources.