Environment Committee on Nov. 27th, 2006

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

What about the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Madam Gélinas? She appeared before this committee numerous times in the last couple of years to say that she's disappointed with the uptake by Canadian citizens in participating in a citizen-initiated complaints process that leads her to formally investigate.

[Robert Wright]

In fact we're generally the largest customer for the CEC complaint process in Canada. We often use the federal process as well, and it is very useful. It certainly highlights, and they investigate well and deliver a report, and that is used.

But generally we would use this as another step to go once beyond, because again that's a recommendation process—quite an effective one, as it happens, in the federal case—but it doesn't go the same length as a private prosecution would, for instance, which would bring the force of law on a specific topic.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Thank you very much, Mr. McGuinty.

I'd like to thank the panel for being here. It was certainly very informative.

Thank you, members.

I need to advise the members that tomorrow the minister has advised us that she will not be attending at 9 a.m. We'll start right at 9 a.m. We have a set of witnesses, we have a couple of other issues to deal with, and motions. So please, let's start on time.

Thank you.

The meeting is adjourned.