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.

traditional knowledge

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Jean-Sébastien Rochon  Counsel, Department of Justice
Olivier Champagne  Procedural Clerk
Christine Loth-Bown  Vice-President, Policy Development Sector, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Brent Parker  Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Division, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

I'm being mindful of it.

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Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

Can I ask a question, Madam Chair, just for a level of comfort?

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The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Sure.

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Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

The definitions occur after the preamble. Do the definitions apply, then, to the preamble?

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The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Yes.

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Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

Well, no, I want the opinion of the legal....

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The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Okay.

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Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

Do the definitions go backwards in the bill?

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A voice

In part 1.

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The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Yes, in part 1.

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Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

So in part 1, any definitions that occur after the preamble also apply to the preamble of the bill?

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The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Yes.

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Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

So the definition of UNDRIP, even though it's not stated....

I just want to make sure we're doing it according to Hoyle.

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The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Do you want confirmation of that?

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Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

No, I think the....

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The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

You can confirm it with the officials, if you want.

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Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

No, the drafters are the ones who will know that.

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The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

And he's saying yes.

Does anybody want to mention something that we aren't doing right?

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A voice

[Inaudible—Editor]

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Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

We do? Okay.

Do you agree with that?

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11:55 a.m.

Counsel, Department of Justice

Jean-Sébastien Rochon

The definition is certainly applicable to the entire statute. The preamble forms part of it. If there's any doubt, the references to UNDRIP inside of the statute will serve to interpret as well what is in the preamble, I would think.

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The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Okay?

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Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

[Inaudible—Editor]

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The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Yes.

I understand the point that Mr. Fast has made. In this particular one, I know that you may not have taken the time, but I've taken the time, to look, and it is very clear that this is just a definition—defining what UNDRIP is and just giving the details. It's not a complicated change that's going to change context depending on how it's used.

So I will keep these ones lumped together, but I'm mindful of the comment. Going forward, I think we'll try to keep them going individually through.

Yes, Mr. Fast.

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11:55 a.m.

Conservative

Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC

On a point of order, Madam Chair, you have just suggested that I didn't take the time to review the amendments.

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