Environment Committee on June 2nd, 2008

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

It's on page 41 of the original package of amendments.

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley, BC]

Do we need unanimous consent?

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

We need unanimous consent to reopen this. I think it was withdrawn originally.

[Some hon. members]

Agreed

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

We're now on amendment L-21, introducing new clause 15.1.

Mr. Godfrey.

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

Because this bill amends the Auditor General Act, one of the questions was on how to deal with the transition from one act to the other.

We originally thought we needed this transitional provision. Madam Roy believed for a while we did not. Maybe she can explain why we need it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Madam Roy, you have the floor.

[Marie-Andrée Roy, Parliamentary Counsel (Legislation), Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel]

Yes, of course. There has been a slight error. In view of the amendments tabled by Mr. Warawa, I did not have a chance to read either clause 11, as drafted, or the proposed changes to the definition of a “category I department”. The proposed changes are fairly complex. The proposed new clause 15.1 is necessary. It would maintain in effect directions made under subsection 24(3) of the Auditor General and clarifies that these directions are deemed to have been made under subsection 11(3) of Bill C-474. Persons responsible for formulating sustainable development strategies will continue to have that responsibility pursuant to Bill C-474.

I won't quibble over the subsections. I believe that subsection 11(3) set outs the directions and requirements for departments. In any event, the provisions will be renumbered.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Mr. Warawa.

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley, BC]

I have a clarification on L-21. We support this, but the last line showing subsection 11(2) should be subsection 11(3), I believe.

[Marie-Andrée Roy]

As a matter of fact, it should be 11(3).

It should be 11(3).

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

That needs to be picked up.

[Marie-Andrée Roy]

Yes, under the new numbering system.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Are there any questions on amendment L-21?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(On clause 11--Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies)

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Do we have a copy of clause 11? It's coming.

Mr. Bigras, do you need that?

[Bernard Bigras, Bloc, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Do we need a copy? No, we're fine.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

So we're going back to clause 11. That was simply for the addition of a “not”.

There are copies coming, which you will have. If everyone is following, shall clause 11 as amended carry?

(Clause 11 as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(On clause 2--Definitions)

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

There are a number of amendments to clause 2.

I believe our first one is amendment L-2, which is found on page 4.

Mr. Godfrey.

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

I'm just getting my ducks lined up here. I move that clause 2 be amended by replacing line 10 on page 1 with the following:

appointed under subsection 15.1(1) of the Auditor General Act.

We needed to do this since the bill, when it was originally drawn up, anticipated that there would be an independent commissioner. That's not being created, so we have to refer to the commissioner's appointment under the Auditor General Act. That's what that does. It removes the reference to “independent”.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Are there any questions on amendment L-2 on page 4?

Mr. Warawa.

[Mark Warawa, Conservative, Langley, BC]

I'm still trying to get it here.

Okay, I have it.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

We're talking about amendment L-2 on page 4. Shall amendment L-2 carry?

(Amendment agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

The next one is amendment L-3 on page 5.

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

Is that the same as what you have under amendment G-2.1? So lines 11 and 12 simply refer to the interpretation section referring to corporations. Since we don't deal with corporations, I guess we're getting rid of the reference.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Okay.

Are there any questions about amendment L-3? Shall amendment L-3 carry?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])