Environment Committee on Feb. 23rd, 2016

Evidence of meeting #4 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 process.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

2015 Fall Reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

Committee Business

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Julie Gelfand Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

Andrew Ferguson Principal, Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

Paul Glover Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Health

Jeff Labonté Director General, Energy Safety and Security Branch, Energy Sector, Department of Natural Resources

Josée Touchette Chief Operating Officer, National Energy Board

Greg Meredith Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy Branch, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Jérôme Moisan Director General , Strategic Policy, Planning, and Research Branch, Department of Canadian Heritage

Yves Giroux Assistant Commissioner, Strategy and Integration Branch, Canada Revenue Agency

Tom Rosser Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Robert Steedman Chief Environment Officer, National Energy Board

1:10 p.m.

Conservative

Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC

Consolidation is going to be difficult because there is a wide array of interests that are impacted by our work here at this committee. Perhaps, Madam Chair, I could just leave it to you to give some consideration to the kind of time that will be required to do what is being suggested here. We're not opposed to it, but let's make sure that at all times we respect each other and make sure the process is fair to everyone.

1:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

There was no intention to be unfair. It was taking the opportunity of having a large number of groups on the Hill with the environmental movement that would have been interesting to hear from while they are here. It was not an intent to throw off anything. It was to take advantage of an opportunity. I put it in front of the committee, and then we have to finish up.

February 23rd, 2016 / 1:15 p.m.

Liberal

Mike Bossio Liberal Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON

I have one final suggestion just to try to reach once again that conciliation that we can hopefully reach.

Let's go ahead with the environmental groups on Thursday, and if there are other groups on your side that you've identified that you think would like to be a part of this and they can't be there on Thursday, we can do it the following Tuesday by blocking off a piece of time to enable them to also come forward and have their say. Give them a little more flexibility so it's not that there are two days to get it done, or that's it.

Do you know what I'm saying?

Leave the flexibility in the future if there are groups that we feel are stakeholders that have an important voice to come forward to the committee and have that discussion.

1:15 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Mr. Bossio, we are beyond time. We have to have consent to extend the time. I don't believe we're going to get that. I'm hearing at this point in time that there's one side that doesn't want to take advantage of the opportunity. I don't think it's quite fair, but I do hear that voice. I do think we want to hear from them and we want to hear from them soon. I don't think I can force this through right now.

We're extended. If I ask for a vote, we're going to ask for an extension and we're not going to get it.

There needs to be a motion to adjourn at the table. That's what I'm being told. We need a motion to adjourn.

Thank you all. The meeting is adjourned.