Evidence of meeting #113 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 agency.
A recording is available from Parliament.
6:50 p.m.
Conservative
6:50 p.m.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
I'm very disappointed in the minister, to be honest. I know the man well, and I respect him, but I'm bitterly disappointed that he can't give us an hour of his time.
Let me tell you right now that, if he's in the House tomorrow, I'll go talk to him—
6:50 p.m.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
—and I'll try to convince him. I can't believe he can't find an hour.
6:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Well, if you do manage to convince him, he'll be here with the officials for the first hour.
Right now, we're discussing—
6:50 p.m.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
You're still talking about public servants, Mr. Chair, but you're telling me that the most important public servant won't be here.
6:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
No, I'm talking about Department of the Environment officials.
6:50 p.m.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
I have a great deal of respect for these people, but I would like the top official to be present.
It's not like I'm going to throw a temper tantrum.
6:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
No. We're mixing up two officials.
We're talking about Mr. Kennedy, who's with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
The officials who are supposed to be here on Tuesday with the minister, who won't be able to come, are with Environment and Climate Change Canada—
6:50 p.m.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
We're talking about the net zero accelerator initiative.
6:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Yes, but I believe we're all set for the first hour. As planned, Environment Canada officials will be here without the minister.
Right now we're talking about the second hour.
Mr. Longfield proposed that we discuss the report on the water study so we can give instructions to the analysts so they can work over the summer.
Mr. Leslie suggested inviting Mr. Kennedy, but Mr. Kennedy has already told us that he can't come. I don't know about the environment commissioner, because we didn't invite him.
Ms. Pauzé, what is your suggestion?
6:55 p.m.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
I have several.
A lot has been said, and I don't want to give a big speech. The only thing I want to say is that I don't entirely agree with Mr. Leslie. I think things have been blown out of proportion.
I thought the offer in Mr. Kennedy's letter was very reasonable. I believe he suggested that we do what was done at the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology. Everyone got that letter. I understand—
6:55 p.m.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Mr. Kennedy wrote to us yesterday to say that the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology had received the same request we did for a study relating to the net zero accelerator initiative. I believe the Standing Committee on Public Accounts also received one. As far as I can tell, almost all the committees are studying the same topic. Let's not get carried away.
Mr. Kennedy is making the same offer to us as to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology.
I agree with what Mr. Kennedy is proposing. I think it's very reasonable. Otherwise, I think we're getting carried away. We spent a lot of time at the last committee meeting agreeing to hold a two-hour meeting. Now Mr. Leslie is suggesting an extra hour.
6:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
No. I believe the hour Mr. Leslie is proposing is the first hour of the two-hour meeting we will hold in the fall.
6:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
If I understand your comments correctly, you prefer Mr. Longfield's suggestion for the second hour.
We're set for the first hour.
6:55 p.m.
Bloc
6:55 p.m.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
We aren't doing a study on the net zero accelerator initiative, especially since other committees have been given that responsibility. We need to calm down.
6:55 p.m.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Let's wait until the fall.
For Tuesday, is it too late to hear from witnesses in the second hour to continue the study on sustainable finance?
I have another suggestion. Is it too late to hear from the advisory group set up under the bill? I forget the bill number.
There are so many other possibilities as well.
6:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Okay, but what are we doing about the instructions for the analysts?
6:55 p.m.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
In addition to that, there's Mr. Longfield's suggestion. If I understand correctly, we have three suggestions on the table.