Evidence of meeting #90 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 regulations.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
William Amos Liberal Pontiac, QC
I'd like to withdraw the amendment, but I'd like to speak to the reasons that I want to withdraw it and why it was brought forward in the first place, Chair, with your leave.
Liberal
William Amos Liberal Pontiac, QC
Thank you.
In the national capital region, the NCC is an important land manager and an important actor with powers that really have an almost municipal aspect. The requirement that the NCC develop sustainable development strategies is of great importance to the people of the national capital region, including the constituents who I represent in Pontiac.
There was a letter sent to this committee by an entity that represents citizens' associations from this region, and they expressed concern that there be certainty that the provisions of this reformed Federal Sustainable Development Act be applicable to the NCC. I support the notion that the NCC be subject to the provisions wholeheartedly.
Through order in council, I know there is a mechanism for federal agencies and crown corporations to be brought under the umbrella of this statute. I wanted to demonstrate my support for the application of the Federal Sustainable Development Act to the NCC. However, pursuant to discussions with colleagues here and with colleagues in the government, it's my understanding that it is quite possible, indeed probable, that within days of the coming into force of this new legislation, a new order in council will be passed, and the NCC will be made subject to this newly reformed law.
Instead of going through a more cumbersome route of incorporating the NCC as a distinct entity, in light of their importance as an actor and as a manager of environmental public goods in our region, I think it's best that I withdraw the motion and just let that order in council process take place, as is expected.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Thank you very much for sharing your reasoning and your thoughts with us. It's withdrawn. Thank you.
Oh, wait. We have to vote on withdrawing it.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
It wasn't moved. You don't have to withdraw it if he's not going to move it.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Okay, he didn't put it on the floor, so we're fine. It has not been tabled.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
Thank you very much.
All right. We are done the clause-by-clause. Thank you for all your hard work.
We are now going to suspend as we move into the next part of the meeting. Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
We're going to start up again. Thank you very much, all of you, for joining us today.
We took a little longer on clause-by-clause than was anticipated, but that's fine. Can I have your understanding for a minute? I want to do some committee business so that we can have all the time until the end of the committee meeting to ask questions. I have some work that I have to do first. When it comes to the trip, has everybody decided who's going?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Deb Schulte
For you, it's straightforward.
Have the Conservatives sorted out who's going on your trip?
