Evidence of meeting #51 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was project.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
With respect to the bill?
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
No, in the existing Navigable Waters Protection Act.
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
It doesn't exist in the existing act.
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
The word “wildlife”: where does it exist in the existing Navigable Waters Protection Act?
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
It does not.
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
The word “ecology”: where does it exist in the existing Navigable Waters Protection Act?
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
I haven't seen it.
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
The word “nature”: where does it exist in the Navigable Waters Protection Act?
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
I'm hearing “no” from my legal counsel.
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
The word “habitat”: where does it exist in the current Navigable Waters Protection Act?
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
It does not.
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
We've been told that it is an environmental law. Why would it not contain any of those words if it were an environmental law?
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
Well, I'll leave it at this. I think the changes that were made in the summer of 2012 removed—
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
I just want to zero in on the existing act as it is today, and the changes that are proposed in division 18. If we look at the act right now, is it currently an environmental act?
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
No, it's not.
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
There are other acts, however, that do protect the environment. They include the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the Fisheries Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, and the Species at Risk Act. Will those acts continue to protect nature after this Bill C-45 is passed?
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
I can't speak for the other acts and for the other departments. I can only speak to navigation.
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
On division 18 of Bill C-45, what amendments does it bring for the Canadian Environmental Protection Act?
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
Sorry—could you repeat that?
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Pierre Poilievre Conservative Nepean—Carleton, ON
Division 18 of the existing Bill C-45: that's where the Navigable Waters Protection Act is described and amended. Does that division amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act?
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
No, it does not.
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
12:10 p.m.
Director General, Navigable Waters Protection Task Force, Department of Transport
No.
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
November 6th, 2012 / 12:10 p.m.
Ekaterina Ohandjanian Legal Counsel, Department of Justice, Department of Transport
No.