Evidence of meeting #44 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 definition.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I call the meeting to order.
We are resuming clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-5. We are active. We are in order. We are live. The meeting is on. These are different ways of saying that we're going to start working now on this.
I know Mr. Benzen is at home, I think, or in his office somewhere.
Mr. Benzen, I was told that this would probably be your last committee meeting, and that you will be retiring from political life. Is that correct?
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
Bob Benzen Conservative Calgary Heritage, AB
At the end of December, I'm retiring. I'm going back to private business.
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
We wish you the very best in your future endeavours and future projects. I just wanted to mention that. We wish you well. Thank you for being on this committee, which is doing important work.
Mr. Kurek.
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Only because, of course, of the tragedy of the passing of Mr. Carr and whatnot, and of the nature of the last few days of Parliament, I'd just like to, on behalf of Conservative Party members of the committee, thank Mr. Benzen for his work on this committee. He won the riding of Calgary Heritage, I believe, in 2017, if I'm remembering correctly. I'd like to thank him for his tireless work on behalf of his constituents since then. I'm not sure if I'll have the opportunity to rise in the House on this.
Thank you, Chair, for giving me just a brief moment to thank Mr. Benzen for his tireless work for the people of his constituency, the city of Calgary, the province of Alberta and this entire country. Specifically, I know we share a passion for seeing the energy industry succeed in the province of Alberta and our world-class, environment-friendly energy products be shipped around the world.
On behalf of Conservative members of this committee, and I think I speak on behalf of the entire Conservative caucus, thank you, Bob, for your work over the last number of years. You'll certainly be missed. Although I didn't have a chance to get to know you during the COVID-19 circumstances, only having been elected in 2019, I certainly appreciate the opportunities and the conversations we've been able to have. I think specifically after a meeting in Calgary we were able to have dinner together and discuss some of the challenges around the issues Alberta is facing. I know you're incredibly thoughtful and have worked very diligently. Thank you for that.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the indulgence.
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
There's no problem. The entire committee joins in supporting your remarks. We share those sentiments. Thank you, Mr. Benzen, and we wish you all the best with your future endeavours.
Going on to clause-by-clause, we have Ms. Lewis substituting for Mr. Deltell. Welcome, Ms. Lewis, it's nice to have you with us.
We'll pick up where we left off on Friday. We were at clause 3, on amendment NDP-7.
December 13th, 2022 / 3:35 p.m.
Bloc
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I was going to say it at the end of the meeting.
What Madame Pauzé is getting at is that we will not have a meeting on Friday. We will resume clause-by-clause when we get back in January—unless we finish today.
3:35 p.m.
Voices
Oh, oh!
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I guess it's always within the realm of possibility.
Ms. Collins, would you like to move NDP-7?
3:35 p.m.
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
Yes. I move that Bill S-5, in clause 3, be amended by replacing lines 19 and 20 on page 3 with the following:
stances to replace or reduce the use of animals;
3:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Thank you.
In response to that amendment, I have a ruling, which reads as follows. Bill S-5 seeks to encourage alternative methods and strategies in the testing and assessments of substances to replace, reduce or refine the use of vertebrate animals. The amendment seeks to extend it to all animals. However, as House of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edition, states on page 770, “An amendment to a bill that was referred to a committee after second reading is out of order if it is beyond the scope and principle of the bill.”
In the opinion of the chair and for the above-stated reason, the amendment brings a new concept that is beyond the scope of the bill. Therefore, I rule the amendment inadmissible.
That's where we stand on that.
We'll now go on to—
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Perhaps, Mr. Chair, the difference between animals and vertebrate animals.... For the benefit of the committee, you should scientifically explain which animals are not going to be vertebrate animals here.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Unfortunately, I don't have to do that. I should say, fortunately I don't have to do that. There's no debate on this ruling, so we'll move on to G-4.
Who would like to move G-4?
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Patrick Weiler Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Mr. Chair, this is an amendment that I put forward. It's going to be dealt with further in the bill, so I'm not going to move this amendment at this time.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
You're not moving it, period. It's not just a question of not moving it at this time. Okay.
Thank you, Mr. Weiler.
Go ahead, Madame Pauzé.
3:40 p.m.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
I'd like to ask a question about this.
I understand that Mr. Weiler won't be moving his amendment today. However, I didn't understand if he was never going to move it.
I have an amendment that I'd like to propose that would be a continuation of his. Will he come back with his definition later?
3:40 p.m.
Liberal
Patrick Weiler Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Madame Pauzé, if you wish to move an amendment yourself, you're free to do that. It can build off the amendment that was submitted in advance, or you could start from scratch.
It doesn't in any way impact your ability to do that, as far as I'm aware.
3:40 p.m.
Liberal