Environment Committee on Nov. 6th, 2024

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Okay.

I'm concerned that we're bumping all of this important committee business, whether that's the completion of our sustainable finance study or the meeting on Bill C-73 on biodiversity, which I've been asking for for weeks and which members of this committee claim to support, yet here we are debating other things. When are we going to find time to do this, given that we have a short window ahead of us?

I'll just say again that members on the Liberal side of this committee have been in favour of a visit from the environment commissioner, and we've encouraged a visit from the minister. However, Conservative members have filibustered throughout that process and have not allowed that process to come to fruition. As we've stated, we welcome a visit from the commissioner to discuss more thoroughly how Canada will meet its climate objectives.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

Thank you.

Ms. Taylor Roy.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm just trying to clarify that we are actually now debating the clause that was added, which says, “provided that the study on gas emission reduction target be dealt with while the report on Sustainable Finance is drafted”. Is that correct?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

That is correct.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Okay.

With regard to a study on the gas emission reduction target.... In fact, in the subamendment that was voted down, I suggested that we actually do look at gas emission reduction targets and how to achieve them, and that was voted down. I'm wondering whether this one can now stand, given that it's saying a similar thing.

The other thing I just want to point out is that the subamendment I put to the amendment—which asked us, as a committee, to collaboratively work together to come up with recommendations on how we can meet our emissions goals—was voted against by the NDP and the Bloc, who both say that their main concern is meeting our emissions targets and that we're not doing enough. I'm perplexed as to what is going on right now in this committee. Perhaps the agreement that has been made between the Conservatives and the NDP could be made clear so that the public can understand what's happening. This is certainly not in line with the NDP that I know and with how Ms. Collins has voted in the past on trying to make progress on this. I'm just really quite confused, and I don't understand.

The amendment that this subamendment is amending basically says that we have to adopt the draft report. This one says that we can do it just while the report on sustainable finance is drafted. Are we supposed to adopt it, or are we supposed to just be in the process of drafting it? To me, it says two different things here.

I am wondering if I could get clarification on that, as well as clarification on what the deal between the NDP and the Conservatives is regarding this, so that we can be transparent and actually understand what's happening here so that we can address it. I don't understand right now what's going on at all.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

Okay.

It's pretty clear what's in front of you as far as the amendment to the main motion is concerned. I don't know. I guess we'll see if Mr. Sauvé can offer some clarity for you.

[Louis-Philippe Sauvé, Bloc, LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC]

Unless I'm mistaken, we're talking about the subamendment.

My comments were along the same lines as the remarks made by the member for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill.

I would like my colleague, the member for Louis‑Saint‑Laurent, to provide some clarification. I'm not a committee member, so I'm not asking for my own benefit. I find it difficult to see how the committee can both continue the member for Repentigny's study and carry out the Standing Order 106(4) study. It's important to specify how this will be done.

In principle, I don't have any objections. However, I find that these two studies are difficult to juggle unless you have the gift of ubiquity.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

Mr. Deltell.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to thank my colleagues from the other political parties again for giving us the opportunity to clarify our position.

In this case—

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

Go ahead.

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

I just wanted to have clarity on one thing. As you know, today is Friday. We called this emergency meeting for 12 o'clock for two hours. Normally, this is my Friday prayer time. I go from one o'clock to three o'clock for my Friday prayers. I still have a chance. I just want to find out whether or not I can catch my prayers.

What is the hard stop for this meeting?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

The hard stop is eight o'clock tonight.

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

That would be an eight-hour meeting.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

If that's what it takes, we have resources until eight o'clock tonight.

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

Wow.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

We'll get on with the debate. Maybe if we get the debate done, we can be done here in five minutes.

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton Centre, ON]

Okay. Thanks, Chair.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

May I continue, Chair?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

Yes.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.

I want to thank my colleagues from the other parties for giving us the opportunity to clarify the situation, as we did earlier for Ms. Taylor Roy. I would like to respond directly to Mr. Sauvé's relevant and legitimate concern. Once again, I want to welcome him to the House of Commons and thank him for his participation in our committee today.

We believe that the committee can carry out both studies at the same time, without any issues. The report on finance and the environment is currently being prepared. I don't want to reveal any secrets about internal operations. However, we know that the task of analyzing and drafting the report for committee discussions is quite cumbersome. In short, while the analysts work and prepare the substantial report, we can start the work concerning the commissioner of the environment. We can do both. That's why we're providing this opportunity. It supports both the work launched by your colleague and backed by the entire committee and our request today. We want to discuss the current situation, the objectives and, above all, the commissioner's reports.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

Thank you, Mr. Deltell.

I have Ms. Taylor Roy and Mr. Longfield next.

I was just talking to the clerk. Since this has gone on beyond the two hours, we'd like to take a health break to give everybody a reset here.

I'll suspend for 10 minutes.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

I call the meeting back to order.

Mr. Deltell.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like the committee's unanimous consent to withdraw the motion that I moved earlier.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Dan Mazier]

Do we have unanimous consent for that?