Evidence of meeting #48 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.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
I won't be giving unanimous consent. Let's go to the vote as soon as we can.
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
I just want to be clear about Mr. Longfield's position. He would prefer to vote this down rather than having time to have it translated. I am seeing some nods.
Regardless of whether we stand it or not, I think that having the debate about it is important. I wonder if it would be helpful for the debate, as we discuss this amendment, if we were to read the clause one more time and have the interpreters translate it one more time before people vote on it.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Sure. Give me just one moment, please.
If I understand correctly, the committee may debate the amendment and is not obliged to have the amendment set out in writing before putting it to a vote.
I will therefore ask Ms. Collins to read the amendment once again slowly, so that everyone understands what is being proposed.
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
My apologies. I'm having a little bit of technical difficulty with my computer. The Internet just cut out.
The amendment is that Bill S-5, in clause 22, be amended by adding after line 27 on page 21, the following:
“Delay publication of subsequent regulations or instruments
“(3) If more than two years have elapsed after the publication of a statement respecting the development of subsequent proposed regulations or instruments under subsection (1) or (2) without the minister having published all of the regulations or instruments proposed in the statement, the minister shall publish in the environmental registry a statement made jointly by the ministers indicating the reasons for the delay and a time frame within which each of the proposed regulations or instruments is to be published.”
If I could I speak to the amendment briefly, you'll note that it is almost identical to the amendment put forward in clause 21 by the government, which has to do with the risk management plans from draft to final assessment. This is, once again, to try to have accountability in the full suite of risk management measures and instruments.
It is not specifying that the time frame shall not exceed two years. We just voted on that, and it was voted down. This is to give a bit more flexibility and a little less stringency, but there would still be a reporting mechanism and some accountability when there are multi-year delays.
This is in no way to indicate that the officials or people in the department are not doing their jobs—I think they are doing a fabulous job—but I think the public and Parliament deserve to know when there are multi-year delays and what the reasons are for that.
Maybe I will pause there, but I will pick it up again later.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I just have to interject before I get to Madame Michaud.
I am told by the legislative clerks that this amendment shouldn't go there, in that order. It should be after NDP-31.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
We would now have to go to NDP-29. I don't know if you can get it translated in the meantime.
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
I sent this to the law clerk yesterday, but we are still waiting for translation.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Okay.
We're going to go to NDP-29, but I'll hear Madame Michaud and Mr. Deltell first.
Bloc
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Mr. Chair, I could have risen on a point of order earlier, but I decided to let my colleague finish what she was saying. The interpreter was telling us that my colleague was reading the amendment too quickly for them to be able to provide an adequate interpretation.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
This is actually a good reminder. We should always speak relatively slowly so that everyone understands all that is being said, and also for the interpreters.
Mr. Deltell, you have the floor.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As the presentation and the reading has been made in English, I will speak on it in my second official language.
I totally agree with this amendment because I think it gives the department enough time to study and evaluate the situation. If there is some concern, then they will have to explain it. On the other hand, we will find that industries will welcome that kind of amendment because it gives them a timeline that is correct in their minds. I totally agree with that.
But I must remind you that as long as I do not have the text in written format, I will not be able to vote on the amendment.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
At any rate, the amendment was not presented at the right time. We will have to go back to it once we have looked at NDP‑31. That may provide enough time for the text to be translated, at least I hope so.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
I just want to be sure that I have understood correctly. I am speaking out of respect for two professions. The people here with us providing the interpretation are tremendous. However, we also understand that they provide interpretation and not translation.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I, too, like to have things set out on paper. It is not too much to ask.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
We have to be absolutely sure that the text on which we will be voting has been revised by legislative drafters.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Yes, I understand. It isn't mandatory, but we would like to have a written version.
In the meantime, we will go to NDP‑29.
Liberal
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
You'll notice that this deals with the reasons and publishing in the environmental registry.
It is that Bill S-5, in clause 22, be amended by replacing line 26 on page 21 with the following:
amended and the reasons for the amendment in the Environmental Registry and in any other
NDP
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
I think we can just vote on it.
(Amendment agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)
