Evidence of meeting #89 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 federal.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Natalie Jeanneault
Beatrix Beisner  Professor and Researcher, Université du Québec à Montréal, As an Individual
Wanda McFadyen  Executive Director, Assiniboine River Basin Inititative
Marc Hudon  Member, Forum for Leadership on Water
Diane Orihel  Associate Professor in Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Queen's University, As an Individual

Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC

I'm happy to also say it in English. After the “$1 billion watershed security fund”, open a bracket and say, “made of investment from the federal, provincial and private sector”. That would be the first amendment.

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Okay, so after “security fund”, it would be, “made of...”.

Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC

It would be “made of investment from the federal, provincial and private sector”. Maybe “government” is missing there.

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

It's “the federal and provincial governments”—

Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC

Yes...and the private sector.

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

We're going to debate this. Who would like to speak to this?

Mr. Bachrach, the floor is yours.

Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

I'm happy to accept the amendment, Mr. Chair, or to support the amendment. I'm just wondering about the wording: “made from”, “made of”, “made up of”—

Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC

I would say, “made up of”.

In French, it would read, “composé de”.

Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

I just think that if we can get the grammar in English a little closer, that would be—

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

It would be “composed of investments from the federal and provincial governments and the private sector”.

Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Are we agreed on “to work with the Government of British Columbia to establish a $1 billion watershed security fund, composed of investments from the federal and provincial governments and the private sector” or something like that?

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

I don't think you even need the comma.

Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Maybe we don't even need a comma. We could save that for some other....

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Either way, it's good. That is Madame Chatel's proposed amendment.

Mr. Bachrach, was that what you wanted to say?

Taylor Bachrach NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

I just want to be clear on the words, on the language. I'm happy with that.

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Is there anyone else?

Ms. Pauzé, you have the floor.

Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC

I simply want to say that I will be voting against this amendment, because every time the federal government puts money in, it imposes its conditions.

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Okay.

So can we go to a vote on Mrs. Chatel's amendment?

The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Natalie Jeanneault

We're voting on the amendment of Madame Chatel to add, “composed of investments from the federal and provincial governments and the private sector”.

(Amendment agreed to: yeas 6; nays 5)

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Now we go back to the main motion as amended.

Ms. Pauzé, you have the floor.

Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC

There was another amendment, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Pardon?

Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC

Yes, Mr. Chair, I moved two amendments, but only one was voted on.

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Okay. I didn't know you had two. The floor is yours.

Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC

The second one is perhaps just a friendly amendment. Immediately after what was just added by the previous amendment, I would like to add “and to work with other provinces that would like to implement a similar fund”. That wording could be preceded by a comma. So the motion would not be specific to British Columbia. As I said, it's a very good idea, and I think it could inspire the other provinces.