Evidence of meeting #36 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site.) The winning word was park.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
The amendment was ruled out of order, so we're voting on the motion.
(Clause 11 agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(On clause 12—Clearing of land for installation or maintenance of infrastructure)
We're moving on to amendment PV-12, which I ruled earlier was inadmissible. Amendment PV-12a is inadmissible, so we'll move to NDP-14.
Ms. Leslie.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Chair, you can see in amendment NDP-14 we're trying to amend clause 12. I think this is important because clause 8 establishes this advisory committee. I think that clause 12 needs to be amended to reflect the need to consult with the parks advisory committee that was established back in clause 8.
I think it's just a consistency piece.
Conservative
Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
We'd like a recorded vote.
(Amendment negatived: nays 5; yeas 4 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
We're still on clause 12. We move now to amendment PV-13a.
Mr. Hyer.
Green
Bruce Hyer Green Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Mr. Chair, this would make certain requirements of the superintendent in the management of the park. The reasons are simple, shorter than the amendment itself. It's the need for consultation, careful impact assessment and avoidance, and particularly a principle of net gain to avoid incremental net loss, which is likely to otherwise occur, or certainly at risk of occurring.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
Is there further discussion or debate on PV-13a?
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
That takes us to amendment NDP-15.
Ms. Leslie.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Chair, we put in a new clause very similar to Mr. Hyer's amendment. I think it's important because we need a careful impact assessment. That's missing. I think if we're going to do this right, the overall framework has to include an impact assessment. That's what we're trying to cover in this amendment.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 12 agreed to)
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
Obviously the committee is in charge, but clauses 13 through 17 do not have any amendments. Are we in favour of approving those five clauses as a unit?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
(Clauses 13 to 17 inclusive agreed to)
(On clause 18—Definitions)
We move now to PV-14a. This is consequential to NDP-16. A vote on PV-14a, which we're going to consider forthwith, will also apply to NDP-16.
Mr. Hyer.
Green
Bruce Hyer Green Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Paragraph 18(2)(h) currently says that we shall not “dump or dispose of any substance in the Park”. This amendment would add “or establish a new golf course in the park”. The reason is, we have received correspondence about concerns that in the future there may be pressure for more golf courses. Notwithstanding this, there are many public and private golf courses in the eastern GTA and at least one within the new proposed park already. It should be made clear that new golf courses should not be established in the park.
Liberal
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
I have to say, Mr. Chair, that this is a painful amendment to support.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
All I'd like to add is hear, hear—not for Mr. McKay, but for Mr. Hyer.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
Because PV-14a is identical to NDP-16, NDP-16 will not be put.
(Clause 18 agreed to on division)
(On clause 19—For greater certainty)
All in favour of clause 19?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
We got it in the wrong section here, sorry. Thank you. I thought it was under clause 20.
Clause 19, NDP-17.
Ms. Leslie.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Chair, this amends clause 19 by adding specifically new language in subclause (2). It talks about encouraging local food production and promoting ecologically sound and sustainable agricultural practices.
This is important based on testimony we heard even from the minister herself, who talked about how “the bill will provide the highest level of protection for the Rouge Valley, while at the same time promote sustainable farming and farming communities”—that's a direct quote—but I don't necessarily see that represented well in the bill.
Dr. Faisal Moola talked about sustainable farming and Monsieur Latourelle spoke about sustainable farming, and I think it makes sense for us to spell it out in clause 19.