Evidence of meeting #7 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was review.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC
In terms of other things that you're working on, is the Office of the Commissioner of the Environment going to be looking into the attempt to repeal the Supreme Court decision relating to the Red Chris mine and the changes that are going into environmental assessment around the ability to parcel up environmental assessments?
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Mr. Chair, a point of order. The terms of reference refer to the federal sustainability strategy, and the question doesn't seem to refer to that. I think in order to respect our witnesses, who came prepared to discuss the strategy, we should maintain the rule of relevance.
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC
One of the things the commissioner has mentioned repeatedly is how it's important to involve all the different aspects of the government in the sustainability strategy in addressing environmental issues. I'm not asking the commissioner to speak directly to what is in the budget implementation bill; I'm asking if he is looking into the aspect of parcelling up environmental assessment as part of his mandate, and I'm just hoping for a little reassurance that he is. I'm not going to ask him to comment on it and embarrass you guys at this point.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I agree with Mr. Woodworth that the comment on the mine isn't relevant, but the way you reworded the question, I'll leave it to Mr. Vaughan to answer, if it's an area you're comfortable with.
4:25 p.m.
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Thank you.
Just to mention again our past work on looking at the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, we are very much looking forward to the work of this committee and the CEAA review. This committee plays an important role in that review.
We are also looking at the ongoing environmental assessment process. So yes, that would be the implication of what the act is in its entirety, and that will be under our review.
4:30 p.m.
Bloc
Bernard Bigras Bloc Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
I have a question. In your 2008 report, in chapter 4, page 1, it says that the government had committed to following one of your recommendations, which was to review its approach to clarify its expectations and revitalize the process. The government committed to completing that review by the end of October 2008. I want to know whether you received the report. We asked department officials, but I do not think they sent us the report. Did you receive it?
4:30 p.m.
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
We didn't have all the chapter numbers there. If the honourable member could give me the title of that chapter, that would be helpful.
Could you give us the title of the chapter?
4:30 p.m.
Bloc
Bernard Bigras Bloc Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
It is under your main points. Chapter 4 of the 2008 report. In the main points, it says that the government committed to completing the review by the end of October 2008. In fact, it reads:
The government agreed with our recommendation that it review its approach to clarify its expectations and revitalize the process. It committed to completing a review by the end of October 2008.
It was supposed to prepare a report.
4:30 p.m.
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
I am sorry, but I do not have the title of the chapter. I think we received the review from Environment Canada in June 2009.
4:30 p.m.
Principal, Sustainable Development Strategies, Audits and Studies, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Yes, we received their review of the sustainable development process. It addressed all aspects of our recommendation.
4:30 p.m.
Bloc
Bernard Bigras Bloc Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
What was your assessment of that report? Is it possible to get a copy? It would help us complete this study. I asked department officials for it, but they did not send it to us.
4:30 p.m.
Principal, Sustainable Development Strategies, Audits and Studies, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
It was an informal review. The team in charge of sustainable development in our office reviewed their report. The department may have a copy of that review.
4:30 p.m.
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
We can ask for it and get it to you, as it is available to the public.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
Ms. Duncan, do you have any follow-up? Good.
Is there anything from the Conservatives?
Three rounds, just like that.
Again, thank you, Commissioner and the principals from the Auditor General's office, for coming in today. We always appreciate hearing from you. And as Mr. Scarpaleggia said, we do enjoy the time we share with you and the information we gather, which allows us to do our jobs that much better.
With that, I'll wish everyone a very happy Easter. Enjoy the long weekend and of course our work in the constituencies next week.
The meeting is adjourned.