Evidence of meeting #73 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
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
I agree. I think we first need to vote on the amendment and then on the motion, but I think we should go to a vote as well.
September 19th, 2023 / 12:15 p.m.
Conservative
Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
This is my first opportunity, so I would say “hello” to all of my colleagues. I look forward to working with you.
This perhaps isn't the motion that I would have expected to start working on from a positive footing, but that said, we are where we are.
On the amendment specifically, I'm curious. Maybe I'll ask you, Mr. Chair, as a more experienced member of Parliament, since I'm the new guy: Is it normal to bring a provincial minister before the committee to harass them about a policy decision they've made within their jurisdiction?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
It's happened before, I believe.
Didn't the former minister of environment come at one point? She appeared on Zoom. It happens.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
No.
It's not totally unusual. It's not something that's done as a matter of course, but it's not totally unusual.
Is there anyone else?
Go ahead, Mr. Kram.
Conservative
Michael Kram Conservative Regina—Wascana, SK
I was just wondering if the mover of this amendment could explain why we are singling out only one province. There are nine other natural resources ministers across the country who all adjust their policies on emissions from time to time.
I know that in my province of Saskatchewan, we have had changes to the solar panel programs for houses and different rebate programs for the like. I really think it is pretty obvious politics when we single out one province instead of making a more comprehensive study and including all provinces that are interested in participating and that can offer different perspectives.
If there is legislation that's going to be moving forward on this matter, I hope that the government is not considering legislation to apply to one province only. There are other provinces with considerable oil and gas sectors. Saskatchewan has a large oil and gas sector, as does Newfoundland and Labrador.
I think it would be useful to see what goes on at the natural resources committee before we single out one particular province.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Thank you.
Your question to Mr. Bachrach, I think, is rhetorical, because he's not obliged to answer the question, but if he wants to get on the list, of course, I'll put him on the list for a bit later—or you can pass.
NDP
Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Sure. I'm happy to be on the list if you like, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
It's up to you. I'm not inviting you to be on the list. I'm just saying you can't directly answer this question now. If you want to answer it—
NDP
Liberal
Adam van Koeverden Liberal Milton, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
With respect to the comments about singling out a province, I believe—to the best of my knowledge, at least—that there's only one province or territory in Canada that put a moratorium on new renewable energy projects this past summer, at least, since we went on break, but if the member from Regina is interested in having the Minister of Energy from Saskatchewan, I certainly don't think that's outside the scope of this study.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Yes.
After Mr. van Koeverden, I have Mr. Weiler, Ms. Taylor Roy and Mr. Bachrach.
Liberal
Patrick Weiler Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
I was going to say much the same as Mr. van Koeverden. This isn't about singling out a province. It's about getting information on the decision that was made to put a very surprising moratorium on renewable energy development in the province of Alberta. It's important to have the decision-makers who made the decision to do so answer to that.
If we have just the Alberta Energy Regulator, as was proposed in the original motion, they won't be able to speak to the rationale behind it. It's important that we have that information at the disposal of this committee.
