Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to begin by thanking you for this opportunity to appear before the committee today to discuss Bill C-469, An Act to establish a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights. Joining me today is Anne-Marie Smith, our senior legal counsel.
We have reviewed Bill C-469 with interest, in particular those clauses that establish new responsibilities for the Auditor General and the commissioner. Clauses 13 and 14 of Bill C-469 describe two possible new administrative responsibilities for my office. In both clauses, those new responsibilities assigned to the commissioner entail forwarding a request from a Canadian resident or entity to the minister responsible for a review or investigation—acting as a kind of clearing house. We could perform that function.
As committee members may know, the commission already acts as a clearing house for environmental petitions by tracking the environmental petitions received and reporting to Parliament on the issues raised and the timeliness of ministerial responses.
Turning to clause 26 of the bill, this would, as we understand it, require the Auditor General of Canada to examine all new federal regulations and every bill introduced to the House of Commons to determine whether they are inconsistent with the purposes and provisions of Bill C-469. We have concerns with these responsibilities. Although the goal of ensuring regulatory consistency is important, in our view this is the responsibility of the government rather than the OAG. Indeed, mechanisms already exist designed to ensure consistency and consideration of environmental implications in government policies and programs.
For example, regulatory impact assessment statements must accompany every regulatory proposal submitted for government approval and each statement must include various analyses and justification prior to implementation. Another example is the strategic environmental assessment of policy, plan, and program proposals.
This committee may wish to explore these mechanisms as well as the role of the Department of Justice Canada. That department is the central agency responsible for providing advice on all legal matters, including the constitutionality of government initiatives and activities.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my opening remarks. We would be pleased to answer any questions.
Thank you.