Environment Committee on May 22nd, 2018

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

We're at LIB-93.

Mr. Amos.

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

I understand this amendment has been withdrawn.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

I don't have that anywhere. Let's just make sure.

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Just withdraw it, please.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

It's withdrawn.

On NDP-74, we have Ms. Duncan.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

This is under the section on public participation, public costs, public engagement, public funding, page 120. My amendment will take out section 74 and add a new provision after section 75. That provision says that:

The Regulator must establish, within the corporation, a Public Intervenor Office to manage any participant funding program established under section 75, advise the Regulator on the appropriate mechanisms and timing of engagement activities and, on a voluntary basis, represent the interests and views of parties, the public—and, if appropriate, the Indigenous peoples of Canada and Indigenous organizations—on matters within the Regulator's mandate.

Then it goes on about establishing the processes to engage with the public and in particular with indigenous peoples, and also that it may co-ordinate scientific and technical studies to the extent possible and could develop pools of independent experts. That's very important to intervenors and is raised quite frequently. To provide third-party independent advice and ensure information provided by the proponents, the regulator and the Public Intervenor Office is searchable, transparent, well-organized, and not subject to change so it can facilitate public access.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Thank you very much.

Did you want to ask something?

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Is this amendment in order because it's creating a whole new office. It is establishing the public intervenor office, which has costs attached to it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

It's within the scope.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

I don't know about that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Yes, it is within the scope. It's that debate we had earlier. We're not going to have it again, but I get your point.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

I'm raising it again. I think it's outside the scope of the legislation.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

I know, but I'm making the same ruling.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

It's not encircled with the CER. It's within the CER.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

It's in the scope of the bill, but I get your point.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

The point is sinking in. That's the problem.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

It is sinking in but I had the discussion with the experts at the back, and I am resolved that this is okay. It's within the scope.

On NDP-74, shall the amendment carry?

[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]

We're now on to LIB-94.

Mr. Aldag.

[John Aldag, Liberal, Cloverdale—Langley City, BC]

What is being proposed here by Mr. Bossio is straightforward. It's before you, so I suggest we vote.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Actually I would like to have an explanation from Mr. Aldag. Mr. Bossio entrusted him with the explanation.

[John Aldag, Liberal, Cloverdale—Langley City, BC]

Take advantage of our officials while they're here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

They have waited a long time to help us, so go ahead and help us today.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Then they're going to walk out on us.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

They're going to leave us at nine o'clock. The fun is over.