Evidence of meeting #70 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 municipalities.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Eric Gagné  Director General, Science and Technology Branch, Department of the Environment
Robert Judge  Director, Sectoral Policy, Office of Infrastructure of Canada
James Van Loon  Director General, Consumer Product Safety Directorate, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Department of Health
Lori MacDonald  Assistant Deputy Minister, Emergency Management and Programs Branch, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Laura Di Paolo  Director General, Program Integration, Office of Infrastructure of Canada
Bogdan Makuc  Director, Program Integration, Office of Infrastructure of Canada
Philip Rizcallah  Director, Building Regulations, National Research Council of Canada
Tim Williams  Committee Researcher

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

I tend to agree with what Ms. Duncan said. Last summer, I travelled to another riding for a similar purpose. I used a point and everything. They asked me what the purpose of the travel was, and I told them who I was meeting and why I was going there. I utilized a travel point to do it. It was a same-day drive, there and back. I don't think you need some kind of blanket statement from the committee to be able to do that. I don't think it's appropriate either.

If whoever told you that is correct and you are not supposed to be doing that, then it's an issue to take up with the House leadership team so they can sort that out in the Board of Internal Economy and fix why it is like that. If what you've been told is correct, I don't think we should try to essentially create some kind of loophole or something by passing a motion in this committee. It's just a recipe for disaster, in my opinion.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

I am listening to what everybody is saying, and I'm just wondering if we could at least.... What I am hearing is that everybody is supportive of each of us getting out there, learning as much as we can about environmental issues, and supporting communities to learn about what we're doing. That's not a problem. Can we say something like “the committee is supportive” of individual members doing those things?

5:20 p.m.

NDP

Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

No. It's none of the committee's business what I do outside of the committee. I'm totally opposed to it.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Okay, I'm hearing that, and I'm hearing—

5:20 p.m.

NDP

Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

I mean, look at our report right now. We have a strong dissent, so I don't think it would even be appropriate to say we're going and talking about the CEPA review on behalf of the committee. Each individual member, whatever their perspective is, is going to go out and talk about it.

I think what Jim is talking about is that if it is one of your colleagues saying, “I want you to come and talk to my constituency”, that is out of your own pocket. What people do is have another adjunct thing. They meet with a hunters' and fishermen's association or whatever. That's a special point. That's why you have special points.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

If it is political or if it is....

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Jim Eglinski Conservative Yellowhead, AB

I just wanted to make sure everybody was clear.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Will, you've heard all the comments. Did you want to—

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

William Amos Liberal Pontiac, QC

It would have to be unanimous, so no, I'm not going to bring a written motion.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

You heard the comments, and you've let it go.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

William Amos Liberal Pontiac, QC

I'll leave it.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Fair enough.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Jim Eglinski Conservative Yellowhead, AB

Can I just add one thing?

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Yes, and then we're going to go in camera.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Jim Eglinski Conservative Yellowhead, AB

I don't think any member of this committee should be speaking and representing the committee on an individual basis—

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Agreed.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Jim Eglinski Conservative Yellowhead, AB

—without the sole information of the chair and the committee.... It would not be appropriate.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

I think we all operate that way.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Darren Fisher Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

I speak on behalf of you all the time, Jim.

5:20 p.m.

Voices

Oh, oh!

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte

Okay. Let me know if you want to speak on behalf of somebody, because if it is going to be through the committee, then I should know about it.

We are going to go in camera now.

[Proceedings continue in camera]