Environment Committee on Dec. 7th, 2017

[Robert Sopuck, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Regarding the amendments from Ms. Duncan and the discussion of Mr. Gerretsen's amendments, I want to reiterate that when the Brundtland commission came through with its report, Gro Harlem Brundtland was very clear, and the committee, that sustainable development is a development concept, and what I see so far is that the development side of sustainable development is almost completely ignored.

The reason the Brundtland commission was established in the first place was that it was very clear that poverty causes environmental degradation. Wealth creation and economic growth, Brundtland saw, were key to environmental improvement. I don't see any of this reflected in any of these amendments.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Can I just refer to that?

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Okay. Have one last quick one, please.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

If the member would like to read the 17 steps, the first one, which Canada has signed onto, is “End poverty in all its forms everywhere”. It then also promotes sustained, inclusive, sustainable economic growth and resilient infrastructure.

All I can say is that Canada has said they are committed to it. Just so I understand, we're now saying no, we're not necessarily committed to it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

No, I don't think that's the—

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Don't put words in her mouth.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

We're not putting it in—

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

That's what this says.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

We're not....

Never mind. I won't get into it. I'm just the chair.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

However, proposed paragraph 5(a) right now does define it. It narrows it—

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

I think we've had enough discussion. I think we've heard all sides and different opinions, so we are now going to vote on amendment NDP-2.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

We are now finished with all the amendments that came forward for clause 3, which—

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Just a second; I haven't done the rest of them.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

This is purpose...principles...purpose.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Right.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

What have you got?

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Well, I also have four more principles.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Then you're still on your second amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

We just did that.

[William Amos, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

We did all of them.

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

We just did all of them.

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

No, I only spoke to the first clause.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

She talked about new proposed paragraph 5(j).

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

Oh, okay—

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

She's saying she didn't get to (k), (l), (m), and (n).

[The Chair, Liberal, Deb Schulte]

They're all the same amendment.

I thought I was kind of getting everybody to make the comments they wanted to make, and that it's—