Evidence of meeting #13 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was standards.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
You accept the friendly amendment? Okay.
So the motion now reads, “That the Minister of the Environment--
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Yes, a friendly amendment was accepted.
The motion now reads as follows:
That the Minister of the Environment table before the Committee the documents and analysis underlying Canada’s position presented at the Bonn Climate Change Talks, from March 29 to April 8, 2009.
Mr. Trudeau, you have the floor, and then we'll go to Mr. Warawa.
Liberal
Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC
Every country will come to these discussions with a position that is their own to defend and promote. They will try to represent what the realities of industry and citizens have to say about this particular issue. This is what international conferences are all about.
What we're trying to see and find out, since our minister and representatives will be speaking for Canadians, is their initial position. I think it's a very fair request we're making here. What is our negotiating starting point? We'll find out, all of us, where it's going to end up. To know where Canada stands is the minimum transparency we can ask for.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
It's 11 o'clock, and there is another committee waiting to come in here. We can be back in here at 1 o'clock, if the committee so chooses.
We'll have Mr. Warawa quickly, and then Mr. Watson quickly. Please respect the time.
Conservative
Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC
Just to respond to Mr. McGuinty's comments, as we lead up to Copenhagen in December, we have the London Summit. Our Prime Minister is there. It's being hosted by the United Kingdom. Gordon Brown has read the statement from GLOBE.
It's all part of the process. GLOBE International is making presentations and statements also in Rome in June, and then pre-Copenhagen. Again, these are all international conferences.
I don't have a problem with us reporting on what's happened in Bonn, but I do have a problem with the amendment that Mr. McGuinty has just made. It changes the substance of it when you're now asking for potentially secret information.
Conservative
Conservative
Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC
My question is, then, is it asking for secret information--to you, Chair?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
That is a concern, I guess.
You're looking for public documents and analysis?
Liberal
David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON
Mr. Chair, there is an access to information code in this country. Departments know what is secret and what is not secret. Departments and officials know what is cabinet and what is not for cabinet only. This is not a serious concern. They will screen appropriately, based on their own legislated criteria.
I suggest we call the vote.
Conservative
Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC
No, I don't think that's correct.
Chair, my question was to you, not to Mr. McGuinty.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I was seeking clarification, as the chair, from Mr. McGuinty on his amendment.
I guess it will lie with the minister to table the appropriate documents and analysis as he sees fit, the way I interpret this, and not what's been called—
Conservative
Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC
If that is what the motion is saying, “the appropriate documents as he sees fit”, then I can live with it.
Conservative
Conservative
Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC
Your suggestion, Chair, was “as he sees fit”. So it would be, “appropriate documents as he sees fit”.
