Environment Committee on Feb. 12th, 2007

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley, BC]

CEPA is what I would see as the number one priority at the committee. I would say the number two priority is dealing with the private members' bills. Then as the third priority, I would see us dealing with the office of the commissioner.

As you've heard, we're world-renowned and acknowledged for the good work and structure that we have now. If we want to make it better, open it to a hearing, but as far as the priorities that this committee needs to deal with are concerned, I don't want to see us sideline CEPA. Also, we have an obligation to deal with the private members' bills too.

In the scheduling, have it when it's convenient and practical, as long as we're not stalling in continuing with CEPA. That's my concern.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Mr. Scarpaleggia.

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Just to address one of your concerns, maybe it could be communicated to Madame Gélinas that if she did come, we wouldn't ask her questions that would make it very difficult for her. We would just ask her about how she views the role of the commissioner, ask her how she feels about the advocacy role, and so on.

I'm a little surprised at Mr. Warawa's comments. A couple of minutes ago, the members on the other side were arguing for extending the hearings on this topic for quite awhile. Mr. McGuinty simply suggested that we do it quickly and in one more meeting.

Personally, if it's a question of moving on with CEPA, I agree that CEPA is important. I would be in favour of scheduling a committee meeting outside of the regular block of time, just to have one more meeting on the environment commissioner.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

You may have a few members here who might not think that's a great idea—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

—but you'll have to deal with them yourself, Mr. Scarpaleggia.

Mr. Cullen.

[Nathan Cullen, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Just quickly, I know how difficult it has been to get the witnesses we want, so why not push the date off a week or so, although not extensively, in order to get the right people in front of us, rather than just having a few folks here and then saying we need another meeting. Let's get one, get it right, and, as Mr. Warawa said, get to some of the other things the committee is pressing with.

We've been holding onto CEPA for far too long. There are a lot of environmental groups that want to see this review done and out before any whiffs of an election are in the air.

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley, BC]

Mr. Chair, can we leave the discretion to you and the clerk?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

It's only reasonable that we do have time so that we do get the witnesses we want. If we start rushing and saying we have to have them in one week, we're going to end up in the same predicament we're in now.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Mr. Chair, could you give us an idea of the drop dead date by which we would have this completed?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Again, the last day we're here before the break is March 1.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Right. That's three weeks from now.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

That's not quite three weeks from now. It's two weeks from Thursday.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

So we should be able to get this done and reported to the House, depending on the outcome of the vote, if need be, before the break.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Yes, if that's desirable. We could maybe shoot for the Monday or the Thursday of the week of February 26.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Monday would be great.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

It can be reported the next day, depending on the vote.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

I'm looking forward to getting back to CEPA. We can put this to bed with one more meeting.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

One of the difficulties is that we aren't quite sure how long CEPA is going to take once we get into those recommendations. We are just about ready to start recommendation 1, so there are 29 to go. It would be nice to get started and move on.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Is there all-party agreement to have this reported and done by the 26th, or the 27th at the latest?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

I think so. I don't see any reason.... That gives us two and a half weeks to get witnesses.

Is there any other comment?

The committee is adjourned.