Evidence of meeting #2 for Subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Finance on Bill C-38 in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was environmental.
A video is available from Parliament.
Vice-President, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities
I wouldn't be able to answer how many the assessment would affect—I can get the information to you—but there are a lot.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Absolutely. Plus, there's the building trades we had before and CAPP. I mean, we're talking about literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of jobs for Canadians—real jobs for real taxpayers—and the NDP seem to think it's just the three of you who are going to be happy with this and that this is foolishness. I think that's disrespectful to the organizations and the millions of Canadians who rely on their representation with these organizations.
I thank you for your input, and I would ask you the simple question. Do you think the government has done a good job with this legislation?
Principal, Environmental Services, Stantec Consulting Ltd., Canadian Construction Association
Yes.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Mining Association of Canada
Yes, though I'd point out that we're not completely pleased. We don't completely understand what's being done to the Fisheries Act.
On a point of clarification, the assumption seems to be that we are delighted with every aspect of it. My colleague has indicated there are some areas where he wishes the government had gone further, and we have certain concerns with what's been done with the Fisheries Act. But overall, this is a positive step forward.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
I did hear you right you when said this is one of the best pieces of legislation.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Mining Association of Canada
On CEAA, it's a masterful piece of work.
Vice-President, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities
I think the example that we're here tonight to be able to talk about this says the government did a good thing. These are things we're happy about.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
I would also point out that I know the opposition likes to speculate a lot and hypothesize, but the fact of the matter is that there will be over 50 hours of testimony and study on this at the finance committee. There's going to be the equivalent of a month and a half of hearings on this aspect of it, at this subcommittee alone.
We're bringing in organizations such as yourselves who represent literally millions of Canadians. I think the government is doing an excellent job in making sure that input is being taken into account.
I would like to ask Mr. Orb a couple of questions.
NDP
Robert Chisholm NDP Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
A point of order.
I'm just kidding. I couldn't resist. Sorry.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
I understand that the opposition is trying to make light of it because they can't actually find any problems or criticisms with this legislation to date.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Mr. Orb, I'd like to ask you a question on the real impacts this is going to have on your municipalities, on whether or not this is going to expedite the process for you and whether this is going to be a cost savings for Saskatchewan municipalities.
Vice-President, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities
You're referring to the changes to the Fisheries Act. I really believe it will save us hundreds of thousands of dollars. Right now, it will save us a lot of time.
Part of the problem is what's going on in Saskatchewan. Our economy is very strong. In some cases there's a shortage of contractors. I think from time to time the tenders for some of these projects come in a bit higher than they should because of that fact. So it will save a lot of money.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Thank you very much.
How much time do I have left, Mr. Chair?
Conservative
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Mr. Gratton, with regard to the effects on aboriginal and rural communities, I know that in my rural communities your industry has had a very positive effect.
You talked about consultation. Can you go a little beyond that and talk about the effects of the positive economic impacts you have seen first-hand on aboriginal communities?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Mining Association of Canada
One of the most dramatic in the Northwest Territories has been with respect to post-secondary enrollment. It has gone up, I think two orders of magnitude, among aboriginal young people over the past decade, as a result of the diamond mines, as Mr. Bevington would know. That's a transformative change when you see that level of increase. That has life-changing impacts on quality of life and so on.
Conservative
Brian Storseth Conservative Westlock—St. Paul, AB
Thank you very much.
The last thing I would point out is that hopefully Mr. Orb, Mr. Gratton, and Mr. Prystay can have some of their members attend some of these NDP rallies so they can stop holding them outside of phone booths and have them in real rooms.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
I don't recognize that a member of the committee is making a point of order, Mr. Bevington. You're not a member of this committee. I will grant you time to ask questions—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Blaine Calkins
—as a matter of members' privileges, but you're not a member of the committee.
I think that was a comment by Mr. Storseth, more than a question.
We'll now move on.
Madam Quach, you have five minutes.
NDP
Anne Minh-Thu Quach NDP Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. I am going to put a question to Mr. Gratton first.
Firstly, I must say that I understand that the mining and oil sectors, as well as the construction sector, are happy today, because the recommendations that you made are in the bill. We can't fault you for being happy about that. However, it is unfortunate that the recommendations of the population and environmental experts we consulted are not in the bill. That is why we are pointing to the flaws in the bill.
Mr. Gratton, here is my question: Did you do an analysis of the legal repercussions of the bill, and of the damage this government could sustain because of the legal action that could be triggered by the amendments?
