Evidence of meeting #29 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 plastics.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
If Liberal members are willing to say we're putting too much emphasis head-on, are they willing to look at a reduced number? Instead of having all those meetings up front, if the minister is the sticking point—and I would contend the minister should be making time for us, not the other way around, because this is his legislation and he would want to work with parliamentarians—could we then just pencil in that particular portion?
I want to remind members that the amount of time we have been putting many of our translators and staff through has been extreme. Again, as MP McLeod said, to be going 11 weeks straight is putting more time on that. I'm asking Liberal members, if they're willing, to perhaps reduce what they put forward.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
I've been listening carefully to my colleagues. As I think everyone knows, I support dealing with this legislation in as timely a manner as possible. I don't think it's lost on any of us that we're rapidly approaching the end of the sitting. If we want to make significant headway, we need to expedite things. We spoke in the House from our frustration regarding the time it took to get to this point, but now that we find ourselves at this point, I would very much like to turn our focus, as a committee, to moving forward with hearing from the witnesses and looking at the legislation ourselves.
As I've stated before, I support an expedited approach, of course respecting the resources of the House. I believe it behooves us as MPs to focus on the important stuff before us and arrange our schedules accordingly. I'm certainly prepared to do that to meet the requirements of the schedule that has been proposed in Mr. Saini's amendment.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
There are no other speakers.
I guess we go to a vote, Madam Clerk.
The Clerk
Yes.
The vote is on the amendment of Mr. Saini.
(Amendment agreed to: yeas 7; nays 4 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Liberal
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
I would like to encourage all colleagues, when they come to future steering committee meetings, to come prepared to negotiate and for their representative to negotiate so that we can deal with those things. If they were simply going to be overruled by the committee, which is its right, then we should not use that forum.
I find those meetings can be very productive, but I also do believe, Mr. Chair, there also needs to be transparency on these things, which is one of the reasons why we were in camera doing this. Whatever we do, I believe Canadians deserve to know what their elected officials are up to, within certain parameters. It's unfortunate that we ended up seeing a break of consensus today. I would hope that members would try better next time.
I will be voting against this motion.
Thank you.
The Clerk
The vote is on the steering committee's report as amended.
(Motion as amended agreed to: yeas 7; nays 4 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Despite the late start, we are finishing at 5:30 on the dot.
On Monday, though, we really have to delve into the CEPA Volkswagen report. That will be in camera. It looks like a good report. It doesn't seem too long, so hopefully we can get through it in two hours and then go on to see the minister on the 12th, I believe it is.
Thank you, all our members, for your participation today.
Have a good evening, everyone. See you Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
The meeting is adjourned.