Environment Committee on Dec. 7th, 2006

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Mr. Godfrey.

[John Godfrey, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

I certainly wouldn't want my views misrepresented like that.

First of all, this bill is not about smog or polluted air; it is about greenhouse gases.

Secondly, Mr. Vellacott says there won't be enough consultation. I thought I heard the government say they were in consultation on more stringent measures for things like greenhouse gases already.

Thirdly, if there is some concern that there's not enough time, I would strongly urge through the parliamentary secretary that the Department of the Environment get on with it now and be prepared for when this legislation becomes law. That will give them a head start.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Are there any other comments about clause 7?

Mr. Vellacott.

[Maurice Vellacott, Conservative, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

By way of response to Mr. Godfrey in respect to the timeframe, let's be realistic. With an election coming up probably in the middle of next year, by the time we get into 2008 we as a majority government are not going to have time. With the best of intent, you cannot have the time, within a short half-year period, to get that all done. I think the honourable member, having served in the capacity he did, should well know that, and it would be truthful to state so.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Are there any other comments on clause 7?

Shall clause 7 carry?

[An hon member]

I'd like a recorded vote.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

We'll take a recorded vote on clause 7.

(Clause 7 agreed to: yeas 7; nays 3)

(On clause 8--Consultation for proposed regulations)

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Mr. Vellacott.

[Maurice Vellacott, Conservative, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

Again, Mr. Chair, I'll be fairly brief on this one. Clause 8 is dealing with regulations and has three different bullet points. I think we'd all agree, or should agree at least, that the government needs to follow due process in exercising its regulatory authority, but this clause 8, as it is before us in its unamended form, doesn't follow due process, and we'll vote against it. Really, the preference would be to delete it entirely from the bill, to save the member opposite from embarrassment. As it stands, we'll be voting against it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Are there any other comments on clause 8?

(Clause 8 agreed to: yeas 7; nays 4)

(On clause 9--Minister's statement)

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

We do have an amendment to clause 9. If you would turn to page 23, you'll see that the amendment replaces line 20 on page 7 of the bill. As you see, it says:

Protocol, pursuant to subsections 7(1) and (2); and

Mr. Rodriguez, would you speak to that amendment, please.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Mr. Chairman, there is a problem with the translation: in the French version, it refers to subsections (1) and (2), whereas the English version only talks about subsection (1)1. I just want to be sure the two versions correspond. That's all.

Maybe you want to speak on this, Maurice?

[Maurice Vellacott, Conservative, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

Would you prefer it? Okay, yes, sure. What do you want to hear?

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Maurice Vellacott, Conservative, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

No, I'll tell you about a dog named Kyoto.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Mr. Vellacott—

[Maurice Vellacott, Conservative, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

No, in seriousness, I was—

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Mr. Rodriguez, I think there is an error there that can be corrected.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Yes, that's the purpose of the amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

The amendment corrects it.

[Maurice Vellacott, Conservative, Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK]

My only comment would be that I think, if it's serious, as you've done on the environment, naming your dog Kyoto is not sufficient in this bill or any other bill.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

I'm not sure I see that in this bill or in this amendment.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Are there any other comments on the amendment? It's simply a technical correction.

(Amendment agreed to: yeas 7; nays 4)

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Are there any other comments on clause 9 as amended?

Mr. Calkins.