Environment Committee on May 22nd, 2018

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

I would support it, but for quite different reasons, because it offers transparency. Again, a Conservative MP calling for transparency—

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

We're all for transparency.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

You guys, this is getting a bit scary here.

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

We support this as well. This is a great idea.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

You support it.

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Of course.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Let's go to a vote, then.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

We want a recorded vote. We have to record this one.

(Amendment agreed to: yeas 9; nays 0)

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

There you go, guys. Now we're getting the teamwork we need.

We're turning to PV-100.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Imagine that: we're on my 100th amendment. We're on page 112.

When the commissioner must issue written reasons for recommendations, my amendment would expand that and say the written reasons must cover the following topics: must demonstrate a consideration by the commission of the impact of the recommendations on the rights of indigenous peoples; must demonstrate the consideration by the commission of the Government of Canada's ability to meet its environmental obligations and its commitments in respect of climate change as a consequence of the recommendations; as well as any public input received with respect to the recommendations.

Again, it's transparency. It's more information for the public. It's that the commission, when providing written reasons, as required by proposed subsection 53(1) will ensure those written reasons reflect its consideration of key factors.

Thank you.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

I'd like a recorded vote.

(Amendment negatived: nays 8; yeas 1 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

I just want to remind everybody that we're at almost 10 minutes for each party on this. We still have a long way to go on this clause. If we could just tighten up a little bit, that would be very helpful.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

If they would vote for all my amendments, I would be really happy—no discussion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

The voting is not the hard part. It's having the discussion. Let's keep it succinct and we can hear more from everybody rather than less.

If NDP-72 is adopted, PV-101 cannot be moved because of redundancy.

You're up, Linda.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Following on the previous amendment, on page 112, after line 30, would add a new heading. This is under the exercise of the commission's powers and the performance of its duties and functions. The new heading would be “Environmental and Climate Change”. It would ensure that the regulator considers Canada's commitments, international and domestic, regarding environment and climate change when making a decision, an order, or a recommendation.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

I want a recorded vote.

(Amendment negatived: nays 8; yeas 1 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

We'll move on to PV-101.

Ms. May.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

It's in the same section that was just referenced by my colleague, under the “Apportionment of work”. BIll C-69 says that the CEO is responsible for apportioning among designated officers certain amounts of work. I would insert, following that, in proposed subsection 55.1(1), that “the Commission must consider the public interest and, in particular,” and then that's broken down into proposed paragraphs that would deal with issues of the implementation of mitigation measures, the extent to which the effects of the designated project help or hinder our climate objectives, considerations of the public interest, considerations of sustainability, as well as our obligations and international commitments, particularly for climate.

That is amendment PV-101. Thank you, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Thank you.

Shall the amendment carry?

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

I want a recorded vote.

(Amendment negatived: nays 8; nays 1 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Now we have NDP-73.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

This is on page 113, replacing lines six and 11. Consistent with what this is supposed to be talking about, the rights and interests of indigenous peoples, given the fact that the preamble says that also includes UNDRIP, I am adding UNDRIP to proposed subsections 56(1) and 56(2).

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

That's clear. We've had that discussion a few times. If adopted, PV-102 and PV-103 cannot be moved because there will be a line conflict.

(Amendment negatived: nays 8; yeas 1 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

We're on PV-102.

Ms. May.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

I would be open to considering PV-102 and PV-103 at the same time so that the committee might have time to debate more motions. They deal with the same concepts. They're more or less interchangeable. They attempt, again, to insert the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, twinning it with references to section 35 of the Constitution Act.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

That's fair. The vote will apply to PV-102 and PV-103.

(Amendments negatived: nays 8; yeas 1 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

We're now on LIB-84.

Mr. Aldag.