Evidence of meeting #1 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Alexandre Longpré

11:20 a.m.

The Clerk of the Committee Mr. Alexandre Longpré

Honourable members of the committee, I see a quorum.

I must inform members that the clerk of the committee can only receive motions for the election of the chair. The clerk cannot receive other types of motions, entertain points of order or participate in debate.

We can now proceed to the election of the chair. Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the chair must be a member of the government party.

I am ready to receive motions for the chair.

Mr. Albas.

December 14th, 2021 / 11:20 a.m.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC

Thank you, Mr. Clerk.

Good day, everyone.

I would like to nominate for our chair Francis Scarpaleggia from the Liberal Party.

11:20 a.m.

The Clerk

It has been moved by Mr. Albas that Mr. Scarpaleggia be elected as chair of the committee.

Are there any further motions?

(Motion agreed to)

I declare the motion carried and Mr. Scarpaleggia duly elected chair of the committee.

I invite Mr. Scarpaleggia to take the chair.

11:20 a.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear!

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

It's nice to be here in person.

Thank you very much to all. It's an honour and a pleasure to be in this role again.

Thank you very much for your support.

I hope everyone is doing well. This is the first time, if I'm not mistaken, that I've chaired a hybrid meeting, with a screen and some members in the room.

Since there are a lot of new faces, it was suggested that I go around the table to give everyone 10 to 15 seconds to introduce themselves.

Mr. Albas, could you introduce yourself?

11:20 a.m.

Conservative

Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Congratulations on your election. I know you're going to be quite capable, which is why I put your name forward. I didn't know if that would be the death knell of your chairmanship.

It's great to be here. I'm Dan Albas for Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola. I worked very co-operatively in the last one. That might be contested by some parties, but I really look forward to this session and to working with the environment committee. I welcome all those newly elected—congratulations—but also those reappointed or those who have been on this committee. It's good to be working with you again.

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Thank you.

Mr. Davidson.

11:20 a.m.

Conservative

Scot Davidson Conservative York—Simcoe, ON

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, congratulations on your election as chair.

Good morning, colleagues. We're going to have fun. I'm Scot Davidson for York—Simcoe. I call it Lake Simcoe, home of the Holland Marsh—the soup and salad bowl of Canada and ice fishing capital of Canada. I'm really looking forward to this committee. Thanks, and good morning, everyone.

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Mr. Dreeshen.

11:20 a.m.

Conservative

Earl Dreeshen Conservative Red Deer—Mountain View, AB

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and congratulations.

My name is Earl Dreeshen, member of Parliament for Red Deer—Mountain View. I come here with experience on international trade; industry, science and technology; and agriculture. I know that the environment is very significant to all of those sectors in Canada, so it's an honour for me to be here.

Thank you.

11:20 a.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB

Good morning, everyone. I'm Dan Mazier, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, Manitoba.

Congratulations, Chair.

My predecessor, you probably all know, was Bob Sopuck. The location of my riding is basically west-central Manitoba.

Welcome to all new committee members.

11:20 a.m.

Bloc

Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC

Hello, my name is Monique Pauzé and I am a member of the Bloc Québécois. I was a member of the committee during the last Parliament.

Mr. Chair, you presided over our meetings then and you did the work very well. May I congratulate you once again on your election.

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Thank you very much.

11:20 a.m.

Bloc

Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC

I would like to say to the new members that in the last Parliament this committee did very good work. We agreed on a number of things, we moved forward on issues, and we passed a number of measures.

I welcome you and invite you to join our fine committee in 2022.

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Thank you, Ms. Pauzé.

Mr. Duguid.

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

Terry Duguid Liberal Winnipeg South, MB

Good morning, colleagues. It's great to see everyone in person and on the screen. My name is Terry Duguid. I am the member of Parliament for Winnipeg South. My riding hosts Investors Group stadium, the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Grey Cup champions.

11:20 a.m.

Voices

Hear, hear!

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

Terry Duguid Liberal Winnipeg South, MB

I don't see any Saskatchewanians here.

In the last term, I was the parliamentary secretary to two ministers, one of which was the Honourable Mélanie Joly, with responsibilities for western diversification. I like to think that, like Dan, I bring that perspective to the table. I was also the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, with special responsibilities for freshwater and nature conservation.

I think this is going to be a fabulous committee. I'm really looking forward to working with my colleagues on the screen and all of you. I think we're going to do some great work for Canada.

I love Lake Simcoe.

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Thank you, Mr. Duguid.

I see five members on the screen, so we'll start with Ms. Collins.

It's been a long time since we've seen each other. A lot has happened in your life. I hope your daughter Alora is well.

Welcome back to the committee.

11:20 a.m.

NDP

Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC

Thank you so much, Mr. Chair, and congratulations on your election.

My name is Laurel Collins. I bring some experience from city council. I'm very passionate about protecting the environment and tackling the climate crisis. I'm really looking forward to working with all of you. It was really great last Parliament, and I think we're going to have a similar experience this time.

Thanks so much.

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Thank you.

Mr. Longfield.

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

It's great to see the returning members. We had a good time together last time.

Dan, I would say that your poems launching our meetings were always welcome. You always bring great skill to any committee.

We really do work well together, and I look forward to working with the rest of the members who are here.

My riding is Guelph. It's a very active environmental centre. It has always been a very progressive community when it comes to environmental issues. I'm glad to be on this committee so that I can bring some of the voice of Guelph to it.

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Thank you, Mr. Longfield.

Ms. Thompson.

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Joanne Thompson Liberal St. John's East, NL

I'm here from St. John's East in Newfoundland and Labrador. I'm very excited to be on this committee. Obviously, the environment is such a concern for all of us. I'm quite pleased to be here. I hear it's a fabulous committee. I look forward to getting to know you.

I'm sorry that I'm virtual today, but certainly in the new year I look forward to being face to face with you. Hopefully, we'll be able to have more meetings in person. I am so pleased to be here.

Thank you.

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Thank you.

Mr. Weiler.