Evidence of meeting #35 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 justice.
A recording is available from Parliament.
1:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Does anyone else wish to speak?
Seeing no further speakers, we'll go to the vote.
Go ahead, Mr. Kurek.
1:35 p.m.
Conservative
Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB
I'm sorry, Chair.
I'm just curious; this is the first time I've dealt with a private member's bill before committee that addresses a monetary-type issue. I'm hoping to get some feedback to make sure this falls within the bounds of what is allowed without a royal recommendation.
Mr. Chair, I'm not sure if you, the clerk or the witnesses would have feedback on that.
1:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Mr. Clerk, given that this is about money transfers, does this amendment require a royal recommendation?
1:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
This is part of a strategy, Mr. Kurek. We're not explicitly talking about a tangible sum or transfer at the moment. It's more theoretical, as I understand it.
Mr. McLean, the floor is yours.
1:35 p.m.
Conservative
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Chair, in speaking to the amendment and the clause itself, subclause 3(3) begins:
The strategy must include (a) a study that includes (i) an examination of a link between race, socio-economic status and environmental risk,
I wish it was just environmental risk and socio-economic status, for reasons that both Madam Pauzé and I have previously iterated here.
In paragraph 3(3)(b) it continues:
measures that can be taken to advance environmental justice and assess, prevent and address environmental racism...that may include
We say “The strategy must include measures that may include possible amendments to federal laws, policies and programs”—the entirety of laws and programs—“the involvement of community groups in environmental policy-making”—any community group in these policy-makings—and, of course, “compensation for individuals or communities” for what that may entail at the end of the day. This is determined by whom? Is there a body that's going to determine this, or can it be courts that determine this at the end of the day, what that quantum is going to be? Of course, that will require a big budget item if we're talking about making a balance for historical inequities that have been here for many communities across Canada for a long period of time.
If there is some clarification on that in relation to the amendment, I think it would be constructive as well.
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Mr. Deltell, you wish to speak, but I am told that your headset is not plugged in, which will make the interpreters' work difficult.
Could you plug in your headset, please?
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Just a second, we'll check.
Are you connected through your mobile phone, Mr. Deltell?
1:40 p.m.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
I am plugged in with the [Inaudible—Editor] socket.
You can continue the debate. I'll speak later if the sound is better.
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Are there any other speakers?
It seems no one else wants to speak.
Have you got your headset plugged in properly, Mr. Deltell?
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
It sounds like your computer's microphone is picking up the sound, not the headset. That's not good enough for the interpreters.
1:40 p.m.
Conservative
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Unfortunately, there are no other speakers, so we will vote on amendment BQ‑3.
(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
Chair, are we calling for the vote on clause 3 without amendments?
1:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
That's right. It's as is, because none of the amendments passed.
1:45 p.m.
Liberal
Terry Duguid Liberal Winnipeg South, MB
It's unamended. I vote for the original clause.
I thought I saw Elizabeth give me the evil eye there.
1:45 p.m.
Voices
Oh, oh!
1:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
We now turn to clause 4.
Since there are no proposed amendments, we will proceed to the vote.
1:45 p.m.
Conservative
1:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Can we do that?
If there are no objections to it carrying on division.... Okay.
(Clause 4 agreed to on division)
(On clause 5)