Finance Committee on May 15th, 2012

[Mike Allen, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Thank you.

I want to follow up on what Mr. Jean asked here a minute ago. Considering we have a lot of forestry operations, now we're starting to see a lot of development of the natural resources industry. Even in New Brunswick we're starting to see a lot of implementation of potential mining operations, and that type of thing.

It was noted that some metal fabrication operations in my riding have done a lot of modular work for companies out west because of the expense of some of the tradespeople out there. They've been able to build modular components and send them out west.

I find it quite interesting how the opposition can say about this budget that the resource development reform has nothing to do with the finances of the country, when $500 billion in potential projects could be developed over the next 10 years.

Can you comment a little on that positive impact on government royalties and government tax revenue?

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

You have one minute.

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Whitby—Oshawa, ON]

Sure.

If I understand your question correctly, some of the major projects that have been proposed have taken years and years to move through the various permitting and processing. Sometimes the projects are abandoned because the economic fundamentals change over time, and so on.

This is to provide some certainty to proponents of projects all across the country—always doing adequate environmental assessments, but making sure there's one review for each project, no duplication, and time limits for the projects to help provide certainty to the proponents.

[Mike Allen, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Thank you, Mr. Allen.

Monsieur Mai, s'il vous plaît.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister.

Changes to the Environmental Assessment Act do not include aboriginal title in the definition of federal lands. How will the government ensure that a regulatory gap does not appear in court, if courts recognize aboriginal title?

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Whitby—Oshawa, ON]

I think the member is making an assumption by saying “if” the courts find something. Obviously we have respect for the rule of law, and we follow court decisions subject to appeals, of course.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

There is no definition, in other words.

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Whitby—Oshawa, ON]

I'm sorry?

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

There is no definition regarding “aboriginal title” in federal law for federal lands.

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Whitby—Oshawa, ON]

I'll check that and get back to the committee about that.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

How will disclosure provisions in the new CEAA interact with access to information, privacy, solicitor-client privilege, and first nations ownership of information? Basically how will they protect aboriginal traditional knowledge?

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Whitby—Oshawa, ON]

Again, I have not addressed that. I will look at that and get back to you with an answer.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

One-third of the budget implementation act, your bill, is regarding environmental assessment, so we're looking at it here.

I'll try another one. Maybe you'll have an answer for this one.

It appears in the new legislation that reports undertaken for proponents will stop the clock on the timelines that will be set out to undertake environmental reviews, but it is less than clear whether first nations will ever interact with decision-makers under the act. This is because many decisions made under the budget implementation act are made by cabinet.

Do reports under proposed subsection 23(2) that are eligible for stopping the clock under proposed subsection 27(6) include studies undertaken for the purpose of consultation?

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Whitby—Oshawa, ON]

I'm looking for technical advice on this, and I don't think it's forthcoming, so it will come in the future. We'll get it for you.

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

So any questions regarding the environment you won't be able to answer?

[Jim Flaherty, Conservative, Whitby—Oshawa, ON]

No, I can answer questions about the major projects and the resource reviews. I can answer those.

You asked me some specific questions about aboriginal issues that I will get—

[Hoang Mai, NDP, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

You pointed out to my colleague the parts that you have in your bill. You have part 1, part 2, and part 3. Part 3 contains certain measures related to responsible resource development.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

On a point of order, I just want to point out that there is a subcommittee that will be dealing with this, and there are a number of officials in the room—about 70 officials in fact—so I was hopeful that perhaps if Mr. Mai would like to continue he'd have an opportunity to do so with them.

[An hon. member]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Order.

One at a time.

On the same point of order, Ms. Nash and then Mr. Mai.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

With respect to my colleague, we have the Minister of Finance here. This is supposedly a budget implementation bill. All members of this committee are going to be asked to review this bill on a clause-by-clause basis. We are expected to understand everything in here, so I think it is absolutely fair to ask the minister a question based on anything that comes under Bill C-38.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Okay.

Mr. Mai, did you want to follow up on that point of order?

[An hon. member]

Mr. Chair, on that point—

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

That's fine. I have Mr. Mai and I have Mr. Brison.