Environment Committee on Nov. 5th, 2014

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

I would simply like to point out that I support the amendment, of course

I think that adding the importance of developing sustainable agricultural practices and diversifying agricultural practices is justified, especially for everyone who will visit the park. For visitors, being faced with a monoculture isn't as interesting as being faced with a diversified agriculture that they can benefit from. Academically and educationally, this addition is quite relevant, especially since there are also all kinds of water-related concerns. Sustainable agricultural practices would add a lot to this aspect.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Ms. Sitsabaiesan.

[Rathika Sitsabaiesan, NDP, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

Mr. Chair, I talk to a lot of my constituents. There are a lot of people who are right next door to the current Rouge Park. I know that some of my constituents are farmers who don't get to farm near their home and have to drive two hours away to get to their farm because that's the closest land they were able to get to be able to farm. Also, there's a lot of local interest in local food production and sustainable farming. In talking with the farmers who came and even the the farmers' agricultural representative—I forget what the organization is called—they did mention that they are engaging in the environmental farm plan and many progressive methods to ensure that their farms and their farming practices are using sustainable methods.

This would ensure that we're enshrining in the legislation what they're already doing and what people who are immediately affected...I know in the municipality of Toronto, and I'm sure in York region as well...it would support what a lot of the people locally are looking for and enshrine it in the legislation.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Okay, thank you.

Mr. McKay.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

I support the amendment because it does give some parameters for agricultural activity. Currently, as clause 19 reads, it does not prevent the carrying out of agricultural activities. Well, you might as well simply say “any agricultural activities”. Within the parameter of agricultural activities, there are some that are efficacious and some that aren't. There are activities that I don't think any park could tolerate if it is charged with the administration of its land. But the way this reads, it's open season. There are instances where a park administration might well want to shut down certain agricultural activities, but with this clause as it currently stands, it has no authority to do so. At least with the amendment there is a reference here to ecological soundness and sustainable practices, but as the clause was put forward, it didn't do anything.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Is there further debate?

[Rathika Sitsabaiesan, NDP, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

A recorded vote, please, Mr. Chair.

(Amendment negatived: nays 5; yeas 4 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(Clause 19 agreed to on division)

(On clause 20—Regulations)

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

We have amendment PV-15a.

Mr. Hyer.

[Bruce Hyer, Green, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Chair, what this amendment would do is add protection, enhancement, and restoration to the goals here, and the management. It's a matter of due diligence, and that the existing plans and policies call for those things: the protection, enhancement, and restoration of biological diversity and endangered species' habitats; the implementation of watershed remedial action plans to protect and restore water quality and reduce costly pollution, flooding, and erosion liabilities down the road, and actually save money and prevent future problems.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

We'll move now to PV-16a.

Mr. Hyer.

[Bruce Hyer, Green, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Chair, this amendment allows for the enhancement and restoration, not just the protection of the status quo of the flora, fauna, soil, surface and ground waters, fossils, air quality, and hydrological features, etc. Again, it's a matter of due diligence and the same logic as the last one that was rejected. It has to do with protecting the basic hydrological, biological, and other natural functions of the area.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Mr. McKay.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

I don't know how anybody will know whether anything's protected, enhanced, restored, or controlled or managed.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

That brings us to PV-17a.

Mr. Hyer.

[Bruce Hyer, Green, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

This amendment has to do with basic science, monitoring, to see what positive or potentially negative effects of activities on this watershed would have. Again, it will call for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of biological diversity and other natural forces within the ecosystem of the Rouge Valley.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Amendment PV-18a.

Mr. Hyer.

[Bruce Hyer, Green, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

This one introduces a new element which, although we're batting zero for 17 so far, you never know, a miracle might occur, and the possibility of including the effects of measuring and remediating the effects of climate change on the park might actually be something worth considering, Mr. Chair.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(Clause 20 agreed to on division)

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

We're coming to clauses 21 to 62 that have no amendments proposed. Are we in favour of adopting clauses 21 to 62 on division?

[Some hon members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

(Clauses 21 to 62 inclusive agreed to on division)

This moves us to the schedule.

All in favour of approving the schedule?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Shall the short title carry?

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

What about a motion to change it to the Swiss cheese Rouge Park act?

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

All in favour of adopting the short title as printed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.