Evidence of meeting #12 for Natural Resources in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:10 p.m.
Conservative
3:10 p.m.
Liberal
Paul Lefebvre Liberal Sudbury, ON
We understand how important this is. On Monday, we had a vote on establishing a special committee, the Canada-U.S. committee, for which Line 5 is one of the main topics, along with other topics, as we all know, that they will be dealing with at that committee, so I think that by studying this at this committee, we would just be duplicating their work.
Even though I'm certainly in favour.... This is why I voted in favour of proceeding with the Canada-U.S. committee, the special committee, given the relationship between Canada and the U.S. and how tied we are on energy, minerals and metals as well. So that's my position. I agree that this is extremely important. There is a committee that has been set up; there was a vote on this on Monday.
I will be voting against this motion, but I want to remind my colleagues from the Conservatives who brought this forward that I voted for the motion to create the special committee.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
3:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
Thank you, Mr. Lefebvre.
I have Mr. Simard, Mr. McLean and then Mr. Zimmer.
Before I give the floor to Mr. Simard, I want to thank our witnesses again for their patience. Today is an unfortunate day for disruptions. If you can bear with us for a brief time to see how long this may take.... I'll express some optimism that it may not take long and that we can vote on it, in which case we can carry on with the questions to you. Just bear with us for a few minutes.
Mr. Simard, we go over to you.
3:10 p.m.
Bloc
Mario Simard Bloc Jonquière, QC
In terms of Mr. McLean's motion, I see no difficulty in undertaking that kind of study. We could do it after we finish what we are doing now, that is, after the six sessions.
I would like to suggest a small amendment to him that would allow me to vote for his motion. We will see how the discussions proceed. The amendment is about the energy transition. It would add an item (c) to Mr. McLean's motion, to also study the energy transition in order to meet the challenges of the climate crisis and the achievement of Canada's environmental targets.
I can send the amendment that I'm proposing to Mr. McLean. If we can add a small amendment dealing with the energy transition, I would perhaps be open to supporting the motion.
3:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
Okay. I believe we would have to vote on the amendment, if you're moving it now, before we actually vote on the motion.
Do you have wording for the amendment?
3:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
Just to keep things moving, why don't we do this? I understand that Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Patzer both want to speak. They are in the room, so their hands don't appear on the screen. Why don't we go to Mr. McLean? Then I'll go to those two, and then I can go to Mr. Zimmer. That will give Mr. Simard time to prepare something for us on his amendment.
Mr. McLean, it's over to you.
3:10 p.m.
Conservative
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
My understanding is that there's an amendment proposed on the floor, so I'm not sure whether I'm out of order, but I really just want to call the question and have the vote.
3:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
You're entitled to do that. If that's the case, then I think we have no choice but to wait for Mr. Simard and get the exact wording on his amendment to address it first.
Mr. Simard, we can do one of two things. We can suspend for a moment while you do that, or we could potentially carry on with the witnesses and then come back to this when you indicate you're ready with something for us to look at.
3:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
Why don't we just suspend for a moment, then, and wait for you to send it to the clerk.
We will suspend.
3:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
Mr. Simard, if you want to read your amendment into the record, that's fine.
3:15 p.m.
Bloc
Mario Simard Bloc Jonquière, QC
So I will do that quickly.
After item (b), I would add an item (c) that would read as follows: “(c) the energy transition to meet the challenges of the climate crisis and the achievement of Canada’s environmental targets;”
3:15 p.m.
Bloc
Mario Simard Bloc Jonquière, QC
I could read you the start of Mr. McLean's motion and then my amendment so that it goes together better.
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the committee undertake a study of the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline including (a) the loss of jobs and investment across Canada in all sectors that supply the energy sector, (b) the impact the cancellation of this project will have on the economic recovery from COVID-19 of Canada’s energy sector/natural resource industry; (c) the energy transition to meet the challenges of the climate crisis and the achievement of Canada’s environmental targets;…
I hope that sounds more consistent to you. You know the rest.
3:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
Thank you.
Is everybody clear on the proposed language of the amendment?
I see Mr. McLean's hand up first. Is that for the same reason as before? Do you want to bring this to a vote, or did you want to discuss the amendment?
3:20 p.m.
Conservative
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
I'll discuss the amendment.
I'm sorry, but it wasn't quite flowing about the amended part of it, the transition to.... Could you repeat it again? The verbiage isn't flowing for me at this point. I need to understand it more completely. Can you read it again, and can the translator ensure it is proper? I'm not sure how it ties in with the sentence before it.
Can you repeat it, please, Mr. Simard?
3:20 p.m.
Bloc
Mario Simard Bloc Jonquière, QC
Mr. McLean, I will read the start of your motion and my proposed addition. It will be clearer for the interpretation.
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline, including the energy transition to meet the challenges of the climate crisis and the achievement of Canada’s environmental targets…
This is something I want to add to what you are proposing. In the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline, we could see an opportunity to study the energy transition, not only in Alberta, but also in all provinces whose economy is dependent on fossil energy.
3:20 p.m.
Conservative
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Yes, the intent is clear. I just don't think, from the words I heard, they reflected that intent.
I appreciate understanding the intent. That's why I think perhaps the words in translation are necessary for how we view the motion. Thank you.
3:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal James Maloney
Are you suggesting that you need to see the translation in writing before you're able to vote on the amendment?