Evidence of meeting #111 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was definition.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Just for clarification, we're walking through the bill clause by clause, correct?
Liberal
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Yes. In the package that we have of proposed amendments, we have a proposal, CPC-47, which addresses the preamble in Bill C-69.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Hold on. I'm looking for 47. Just a second. Let's get to where you are.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Okay. That was understood to be the preamble of the bill, which is not this preamble. Let's have a look at what you're proposing.
Conservative
Liberal
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
No, I understand. Here's the problem. You have a proposed amendment that comes from the Conservative members, and it's right at the back of the package of amendments, so I assume that we will be addressing that when we get to that part of the bill. Correct?
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
And it will be brought forward ahead of other amendments. Right now it's the last amendment in the package.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
It will be done. We are doing the preamble at the end. That's why you're at the back, it's because the preamble's coming at the end, after we go through the bill. Okay?
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
It's the third paragraph of the preamble to part 1 of the impact assessment act, and the recommendation from a number of those who testified and submitted briefs was to add the word “value”. In other words, it would say:
Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes the value and importance of meaningful public participation at all stages of impact, regional or strategic assessments
The problem with the way it's drafted right now is that, by the interpretation rules, if you specify one, you're excluding the rest. It says, “including the planning phase”. Our preference is that it say:
the value and importance of meaningful public participation at all stages of impact, regional or strategic assessments
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
The second part says:
Whereas the Government of Canada is committed to providing Canadians with the opportunity and means to participate in impact, regional, and strategic assessments, and with full and timely access to
Then it goes into the information.
Those are the two changes to that: adding in “value” of public participation; taking out the specific reference just to the planning stage, and saying that it would be to all stages of impact, regional, and strategic assessments; and that it would provide the opportunity and means to participate in the impact, regional, and strategic assessments and with the full and timely access to information that they need.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Okay.
Linda, if this is adopted—I just want to bring this to your attention—NDP-2 cannot be moved, because there's a line conflict then. I just want to make sure you're aware of that.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I'm looking at what the drafter did, and she divided that into two, and that was the wisdom of our official drafters.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
I'm just letting you know that if we adopt this, then NDP-2 cannot be moved.
Shall the amendment carry?
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We're on NDP-2.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
This next one goes to the issue. It's deals with the fourth paragraph of the preamble, and would replace what is said there with the following:
Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes the need for transparent and accountable decision-making in relation to impact, regional and strategic assessments;