Evidence of meeting #39 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 chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Yes, I'm doing that right now. I am checking that everything is in order.
Madam Clerk, I hope that you will be getting it right away.
I move that Bill C‑12, in Clause 23, be amended by replacing lines 14 and 15 on page 9 with the following:
and on the key measures that federal departments, agencies and Crown corporations have taken to manage those risks.
Liberal
Bloc
Liberal
Raj Saini Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, can you explain what's going on?
I thought we voted on clause 22. Aren't we supposed to now vote on clause 23?
Liberal
Liberal
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
You scared me, Mr. Saini.
What we need is the wording. It has to be sent to all the members, so we know what we're voting on. That's what I'm waiting for.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Okay, here it is.
Ms. Pauzé, would you like to say a few words about your amendment?
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Yes, Mr. Chair.
This is not the first time you are hearing me say that, as always, we are doing this from the standpoint of the transparency and accountability that this bill is supposed to promote. For us, it is essential that the report consider the various sources of funding and the mechanisms used by the state. As such, we are specifying that the report by the Minister of Finance must focus on the measures undertaken by the public [Technical difficulty—Editor], but also by Crown corporations and federal agencies. We can then have a much more complete picture of the risks and opportunities related to climate change.
I will also take this opportunity to mention a report by the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices that Mr. Albas quoted at the last meeting. However, first I would like us to remind ourselves that the International Energy Agency's position on the matter is that it's important to note that technologies for eliminating carbon are neither an alternative to reducing emissions nor an excuse for delaying action.
Since our meeting is public, I want to show what the report by the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices actually says:
There are many solutions we know will be central to reducing emissions in the next decade—electric vehicles, more efficient buildings, and non-emitting electricity like wind and solar are all safe bets. Canada has every advantage, and little risk, in rapidly scaling up these solutions. At the same time, Canada will need to spread its bets by investing in a portfolio of wildcard technologies to increase the odds that some of these solutions will come through when we need them.
That is why we are proposing this amendment. We want it to be possible to see all the measures that have been taken, not only by departments, but by all federal agencies and Crown corporations.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Thank you.
We are now going to vote on the amendment moved by Ms. Pauzé, dealing with clause 23.
(Amendment negatived: nays 10; yeas 1)
(Clause 23 agreed to on division)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
We will go to amendment BQ-29, proposing new clause 23.1.
Madam Pauzé.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Mr. Chair, I would like to provide some clarification, because there has been a lot of confusion as to where this amendment would be placed.
Because this really is a matter for the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development, this amendment actually goes under the heading Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.
My assistant has been in touch with Ms. Thivierge to clarify the situation. Let me make it clear that it is really important for this to be included under the heading Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, because that is what it applies to.
Is that going to be a problem? I can introduce the amendment now.
Liberal
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
No, I was just explaining that the amendment must absolutely be inserted under the heading Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.
The amendment should be placed near subclause 24(1). I will let the legal drafters decide, but I know that they have considered the matter and that it is important.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
So you want to insert the amendment under subclause 24(1). Is that correct?
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Yes, under the heading Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.
Legislative Clerk
It is where you want it to be, Ms. Pauzé. Since it comes before line 18, it is under the heading Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.
It comes before line 18 and not after line 17, and that makes all the difference. Just because it says that the amendment refers to clause 23 does not mean that it will be part of clause 23. It will be inserted just before subclause 24(1).