Evidence of meeting #11 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was enforcement.

A video is available from Parliament.

enforcementcepaenvironmental protectioncommissionerwinfieldunited statesmeetingcriminalpulp and papervolkswagen casequestiongagnon-rocquecertainty of prosecution

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Ariane Gagnon-Rocque  Lawyer, As an Individual
Mark Winfield  Professor, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University, As an Individual
Ken Bondy  National Representative, Health, Safety and Environment, Unifor
Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Isabelle Duford

Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC

Really, it's just swapping out that last, fourth meeting of my study for this hearing.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Okay. That would mean we'd do that on the 17th.

Ms. Pauzé, did you want to comment on Ms. Collins' motion or on something else?

Partially translated

Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC

I wanted to comment along the same lines as Ms. Collins.

Four votes will be held on Wednesday in the House. Once again, this committee's meeting will probably be cancelled because of that. I know that we cannot change the day, but I propose that we make no commitments from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. That will enable us to make progress in our studies, especially since a number of these motions are passed on to our committee.

Translated

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

We cannot go later than 5:30 p.m. on Mondays because there is a meeting, but, if I have understood correctly, we could meet until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Thanks to the new voting application, votes could be conducted more quickly. I don't know whether the application will be used this Wednesday. In any event, we will definitely have to reschedule meetings if the Wednesday meeting must be cancelled because of the votes.

I would like to come to an agreement on Ms. Collins' motion. Can we schedule a fourth meeting in this study on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to hear from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development? That is what I would like us to focus on right now.

Mr. Schiefke—

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair, just to clarify—

Yes, go ahead, Ms. Collins.

Partially translated

Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC

—that fourth meeting is really a hearing about the environment commissioner's role, not to hear from the new environment commissioner.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

You wouldn't necessarily want to hear from the new environment commissioner is what you're saying.

As spoken

Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC

Potentially, but he would be maybe one among the four witnesses or maybe not.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Okay, but it would be part of the CEPA study, essentially. We're not doing a separate study now. It would be one meeting as part of the CEPA study.

As spoken

Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC

Yes. Again, it would be one hearing on the environment commissioner, not necessarily on CEPA.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Okay. It wouldn't factor into the report is what you're saying. Okay. I have it.

As spoken

Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC

Exactly: a separate hearing.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Mr. Jeneroux, I know that you've had your hand up, but is it about this or is it about your motion?

As spoken

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Matt Jeneroux Conservative Edmonton Riverbend, AB

It's about my motion, Mr. Chair.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Okay. Do you mind if we just—

As spoken

Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC

Could we call the question?

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

There's a call for the question.

Okay: That means, I guess, we just go to a vote at this stage?

As spoken

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC

Can we not just test the room for unanimous consent?

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Yes.

Is there unanimous consent to have a hearing on the environment commissioner?

As spoken

Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON

No. I don't have that.

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

There isn't. Okay.

Then we'll go to a roll call vote, I guess?

As spoken

Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON

Peter had his hand up, didn't he?

As spoken

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Sorry, Peter.

As spoken

Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC

Mr. Chair, thanks for recognizing me.

Unfortunately, I have an interview to get to in exactly eight minutes. At the beginning of the meeting—

As spoken

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC

Oh, come on.

As spoken

Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC

I'm sorry, Mr. Albas, did you want to say something? I have the floor.

As spoken