Evidence of meeting #116 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 amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
The amendment is to add, after “a. Invite the Minister of the Environment and officials”, “to appear for two hours independently within seven days of the motion being adopted”.
I will submit it to the clerk in both official languages so that it can be distributed.
Liberal
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
After that, it would be, “on the subject of the emergency decree and the elements…”.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
I would like to say one more thing, Mr. Chair.
The minister knowingly and willingly encroached on the Quebec government's jurisdiction to protect the caribou and jobs. So it is important that he come and explain how he can act in such a unilateral and radical way, particularly toward the communities affected by this decree. The chief forester and the Government of Quebec have been very clear about the consequences this will have.
Therefore, the minister must come and report to the committee on the motivations behind the application of this decree, and as we have wanted this meeting to take place since the beginning of July, we can't wait for the minister to decide on his own to come and testify.
We would like that appearance to take place within seven days of this meeting.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
I would like to ask for a clarification.
Where it says, “appear for two hours independently”, what does “independently” mean?
Does that mean two hours for the minister and two hours for the officials?
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
It means two hours for the minister, without the officials. The minister can be accompanied, but we don't want officials to be invited as witnesses. We want the minister to be called to appear for two hours. Usually, we spend an hour with the minister and an hour with officials. We want the minister to have two hours to answer questions on his own. We want him to stay at the table for two hours and not leave after an hour.
Liberal
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
I love our Minister of Environment. He is doing an excellent job; he is listening and holding consultations. However, I also want to hear from the departmental experts. I don't know whether that is the case for my Conservative colleagues, but I absolutely want to hear from the people who are dealing with the technical side of the issue. I really like the minister, who sees the big picture, but I also want to hear from the officials. For me, it's also important to hear from the minister and the officials before September 15, which marks the end of the consultations.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I suggest that we ask him to appear for two hours with his officials. That way, it would be clear that we want to have the minister for two hours and we want to hear from his officials, as well.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Mr. Chair, I support your proposal. Legal experts are also working on this issue. Of course, the minister needs those people to appear.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I suggested a small amendment to make it clearer. It would be to say “appear for two hours, accompanied by his officials”. That would reflect our wish that he spend two hours here along with the officials.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
The person I want to hear from is the minister. The minister will decide who will accompany him, but I don't want the officials to be called to appear as witnesses.
Liberal
Liberal
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
I would like to hear from the minister for an hour, but I also want to hear from lawyers, experts and scientists. The minister can stay, but I want us to have an hour with the minister and an hour with the officials to hear from them and put questions to them.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I think you all agree that the officials should be able to accompany him.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
I've never seen the opposite happen. What I want is for the minister to stay for two hours.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Yes. I suggested that he spend two hours here and that he be accompanied by his officials.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
We don't need to add that he must be accompanied by his officials. We just want the minister to appear.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Okay. So we can write, “appear for two hours”. I find that writing “independently” muddles things a bit.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
I'm prepared to remove “independently” if the minister appears for two hours.