Evidence of meeting #139 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 targets.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Lisa Gue  Manager, National Policy, David Suzuki Foundation
Rachel Plotkin  Boreal Project Manager, David Suzuki Foundation
Chris Heald  Senior Policy Advisor, Manitoba Wildlife Federation
Anna Johnston  Staff Lawyer, West Coast Environmental Law Association
Joshua Ginsberg  Director, Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic, Ecojustice
Chief Kluane Adamek  Regional Chief, Assembly of First Nations Yukon Region
Jesse Zeman  Executive Director, B.C. Wildlife Federation
Stephen Hazell  Consultant, Greenpeace Canada
Akaash Maharaj  Director of Policy, Nature Canada

4:55 p.m.

Senior Policy Advisor, Manitoba Wildlife Federation

Chris Heald

Is all I can say “no” or “yes”? Do I not get to elaborate?

Adam van Koeverden Liberal Milton, ON

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

Expert witnesses come to this committee to provide their expertise, not to be directed as to how to answer questions.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

It's my time, Adam.

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

This is Mr. Leslie's time.

I would say to the witnesses that they're under no obligation to give a binary answer. Sometimes things are very complex.

Anyway, it's Mr. Leslie's right to ask you to answer with a yes or a no, but you are under no obligation to do that.

4:55 p.m.

Senior Policy Advisor, Manitoba Wildlife Federation

Chris Heald

I'm going to elaborate, then, if I'm under no obligation.

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Well, I mean, if Mr. Leslie doesn't want you to elaborate and wants to ask another question, then it's his time, as well.

4:55 p.m.

Senior Policy Advisor, Manitoba Wildlife Federation

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

We'll go back. I'll set the....

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB

How much time does he have left?

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

He has four and a half minutes.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB

Thank you.

4:55 p.m.

Senior Policy Advisor, Manitoba Wildlife Federation

Chris Heald

My answer is no. I actually believe that the path it's on is going to create further division and the net loss is going to increase. What we're seeing on the landscape is....

I'm sorry? I've been cut off again.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

I want to give equal opportunity here.

Ms. Plotkin.

4:55 p.m.

Boreal Project Manager, David Suzuki Foundation

Rachel Plotkin

I would say that it's taking steps, but it's a complicated political landscape, working with the provinces and with all the different parties.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

Thank you.

Mr. Heald, you mentioned the words “blank cheque”, which I find to be fairly accurate, particularly in terms of whom the minister—in this case, Minister Guilbeault—can appoint to the advisory panel when making some of these biodiversity decisions. To me, this is quite concerning because who you put on that advisory board actually really matters.

You've read the legislation, I assume. Are anglers mentioned in it?

4:55 p.m.

Senior Policy Advisor, Manitoba Wildlife Federation

Chris Heald

No, sir.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

Are hunters mentioned in it?

4:55 p.m.

Senior Policy Advisor, Manitoba Wildlife Federation

Chris Heald

No, sir.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

Are farmers?

4:55 p.m.

Senior Policy Advisor, Manitoba Wildlife Federation

Chris Heald

No, sir.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

Are landowners, broadly speaking?

4:55 p.m.

Senior Policy Advisor, Manitoba Wildlife Federation

Chris Heald

No, sir.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

Are trappers?

4:55 p.m.

Senior Policy Advisor, Manitoba Wildlife Federation

Chris Heald

No, sir.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB

What an odd neglect of a whole bunch of people who live, work and play on the land. Who do you think might be put on this board?