Evidence of meeting #79 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 freshwater.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:20 p.m.
Liberal
12:20 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
I would like to ask the clerk what the standard process is for debate on motions.
12:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
When you are debating a motion, you can debate a motion for a month if you want.
12:20 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
Well, I am asking the clerk. What is the standard?
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Is there an average? It depends whether you're PROC or ethics, or whether—
12:25 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
What is the standard? Do we normally debate amongst our committee members?
12:25 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
What is the standard? What is the normal practice?
We introduce the motion. Does the committee debate it, or do the witnesses?
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Yes.
The normal practice is that when somebody has the floor, they have the floor until they've stopped talking. We've seen this in other committees.
12:25 p.m.
Conservative
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
It was on a point of order, Mr. Mazier.
I'm going to move on now to Madame Chatel.
12:25 p.m.
Liberal
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
Thank you.
I ask you please to be patient. I really want to take part in the debate based on a clear understanding of the motion you've introduced. I think that's important. I'd like to debate it and take advantage of the fact that we are here with people who can provide clarification to the members of this committee. I don't know why you're preventing me from getting that clarification.
So my question is this: what regulatory amendments have been made since the incident in 2015 to provide municipalities with more direct lines in order to perform more of this kind of work on their infrastructure, while properly safeguarding our jewels, such as the St. Lawrence River?
12:25 p.m.
Director, Forest Products and Fisheries Act, Department of the Environment
We've started the process—
12:25 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
On a point of order, I'll ask the clerk again: Who is normally involved in the debate on a motion?
12:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
We will resume.
I will ask Ms. Chatel to complete her intervention so that Mr. Mazier, Mr. Bachrach and Ms. Pauzé can speak. I believe we have until 1:00 p.m. This is a very interesting discussion.
Please continue, Ms. Chatel. You have a little time left if you want it.
12:30 p.m.
Liberal
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I think this subject is very important. I've discussed the matter with my colleague Ms. Pauzé. It's clear that wastewater treatment is included in the freshwater study we propose to conduct.
I don't think we need a motion specific to Montreal, but rather one that applies to all cities and to all discharges that may occur across Canada.
I would be satisfied if that's already part of the study. However, with your permission, I'd like to hear Ms. Blais' response.
12:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
All right.
Ms. Blais, it would be good if you could conclude your answer.
12:30 p.m.
Director, Forest Products and Fisheries Act, Department of the Environment
Since the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations were adopted, we've realized that discharges have occurred in places other than at the destination, as in sewer systems. No provision was made in the regulations for monitoring those discharges. Consequently, efforts were made to update them to include provisions for better monitoring of those kinds of discharges.
The new regulations, which should be enacted in 2024, will include provisions requiring that all regulated persons and organizations request authorization before performing works that may result in any discharge of waste-water at a location other than the destination. It will also establish more conditions and will apply to all municipalities.
12:30 p.m.
Liberal
12:30 p.m.
Director, Forest Products and Fisheries Act, Department of the Environment
That's correct.