Evidence of meeting #89 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 right.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
I think Ms. Brand would agree that the way the process is right now the minister, through a sausage-making process, develops a federal sustainable development strategy, and then designated entities go through their own process.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Correct.
If in fact we change that.... I believe Ms. Duncan is asking that this be reversed somewhat—
NDP
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
It's my understanding you were suggesting you want to ensure that the strategies developed by the agencies have the appropriate consultation and then feed into the federal sustainable development—
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
No, I didn't suggest that at all. I'm simply saying that as the law stands, it says that the entities will develop their strategies, based on all these criteria, after the FSDS is tabled in the House.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Okay, just to clarify, my understanding is that they do have that input early on when the strategy is being developed.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Yes.
It's NDP-11, the amended amendment, so we will vote on the suggested subamendment.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
You vote mine down, and then he wants to propose something else.
Liberal
Mike Bossio Liberal Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON
No, as I said, we're voting on the subamendment.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
On the subamendment, does everybody have it clear? It takes into account comments made under subsections 9(3) or 9(4).
(Subamendment agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings])
That carried the subamendment, so the subamendment is now the amendment. We will now vote on NDP-11 as amended.
(Amendment agreed to on division) [See Minutes of Proceedings])
The next one is NDP-12.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Again, this is as per the testimony this week by the commissioner. It reiterates the concern she expressed and the concern that was expressed by almost every witness before this committee before the bill was tabled, and as per the recommendation of this committee before the bill was tabled, that there be more senior authority.
Why are people recommending that? They are recommending it because there is an abject failure in providing these reports properly.
For the last 10 or 12 years, the commissioner reports every time that we have an absolutely terrible record of entities delivering on their responsibilities. She had recommended, and this committee had recommended, that one of the solutions may be to have a more senior level sign-off, a higher-level accountability, to say, “Okay, have you looked at this, have you looked at that, before I submit this to the commissioner?”
That's what this says: to “obtain the appropriate Minister's signed approval” before submitting that sustainable development strategy.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Okay. Is there any discussion?
(Amendment negatived) [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Moving on, we have NDP-13.
Go ahead.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Again, this is adding in very specifically the directives of the cabinet.
I am adding in the Governor in Council to establish or issue applicable regulations.
I'm adding in that they have to consider not only the Treasury Board, which is a new provision in that act, but also any policies or directives of Governor in Council—in other words, the cabinet—and any applicable regulations. It's interesting that the act provides for regulations. To my knowledge, none have ever been issued. It's important to provide that.
You also have to be consistent with the regulations. That's what I'm adding in: it's that any of those strategies be consistent with the policies and directives of the Treasury Board, the cabinet, and any applicable regulations.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Is there any comment?
(Amendment negatived) [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We'll move on to NDP-14.
NDP
Linda Duncan NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
This is the same thing again. This is simply the next list of entities.
Liberal
Mike Bossio Liberal Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON
Once again I'd like to move a subamendment, with the same language that takes into account comments made under subsection 9(3) and/or subsection 9(4).