Evidence of meeting #38 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 amendment.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Thank you. The vote has been called.
(Clause 15 as amended agreed to: yeas 7; nays 4)
(Clause 16 agreed to: yeas 7; nays 4)
(On clause 17)
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Mr. Chair, I have a question that I want to ask the officials.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
In regard to clause...and I believe we're on clause 17.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the confirmation of that. I want to make sure we're not wasting anyone's time.
I would ask the question of either Mr. Ngan or Mr. Moffet.
It says, under "Publication of target”:
The Minister may publish the national greenhouse gas emissions target for the milestone year to which an emissions reduction plan relates before that plan is tabled in each House of Parliament.
On the question, we've had a number of different amendments that have come through. Do any of those amendments change anything that is in here. or what information is presented in this clause?
4:45 p.m.
Director General, Horizontal Policy, Engagement and Coordination, Department of the Environment
The answer is no. The amendments specified information of the progress report and the assessment report, and this one is about an emissions reduction plan as well as a target. There is no impact, directly or indirectly, to this particular clause.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
All right. I'd like to thank Mr. Ngan for that intervention.
If you want to go to a vote...unless there's another member who has a question.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Mr. Chair, I do have a question.
Essentially, if I read this right, the minister can publish the target before informing Parliament. As a parliamentarian, should that be a concern of ours?
I would maybe ask that of Mr. Moffet.
Is that usual practice, that things get published and then after the fact reported to Parliament, or is it better that things are reported to Parliament first? Could you comment on that?
4:45 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Protection Branch, Department of the Environment
I can't comment as to whether that's a good thing or not. That's for you to determine.
It's not unusual for this to happen.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Okay, it may just be because I haven't seen much yet. I've only been here for two years, so I've not seen enough to know.
I thank you for that answer.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
The vote is called.
(Clause 17 agreed to: yeas 7; nays 4)
(On clause 18)
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
We're now at clause 18. Unfortunately, I'm told that amendment BQ‑16 is out of order, since the committee has already ruled on amendment BQ‑15. I must admit that I don't have that amendment in front of me. However, the committee voted against the idea of including an annual progress report. If we were to pass amendment BQ‑16 now, there would be a contradiction. We won't be able to move amendment BQ‑16 or vote on it.
The issue at this point is whether to pass clause 18.
Ms. Michaud, you have the floor.
4:50 p.m.
Bloc
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Just before we vote on clause 18, I want to say that I understand that amendment BQ‑16 is null and void because the committee decided to reject the idea of making the progress report an annual report, even though the government receives the data on greenhouse gas emissions in Canada each year.
It would have been possible to do so. However, I understand that the amendment is null and void. I just want to say that I agree with what Mr. Albas stated earlier. I find it deplorable that the government is voting against all the Bloc Québécois and Green Party amendments, which are there to improve Bill C‑12. The government said that it was open to the idea of working with the opposition members. We understand that this isn't the case.
I gather that the same thing will happen with amendment BQ‑17. We'll see when we get to the other clause.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
I'm sorry, Mr. Chair, but there seems to be an issue with interpretation. It's lagging a bit more than usual.
Please accommodate members when that happens, if you could.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
I appreciate that, Mr. Chair.
In regard to the intervention by Madam Michaud, it's also the Conservatives. We had 19 amendments that we've brought forward—
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I'm sorry, but just a second. I was talking with the legislative clerk.
Mr. Longfield.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
I'm raising a point of order. You called the vote. This isn't a time for debate.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
To be honest, I can't remember if I called the vote.
Is it a point of order? It sounds like a point of debate.