House of Commons Hansard #188 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was environment.

Topics

Opposition Motion—Environmental impacts of microbeadsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

5:50 p.m.

Conservative

Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise today to provide the House with some information related to the efforts of Canada and other jurisdictions to deliver real solutions on the issue of microplastics, including microbeads.

As usual, the Conservative government is already out ahead on this issue. What is less usual but very commendable is that the opposition is now also becoming alive to it and joining with the Conservative government in responding to this issue.

Microplastics entering the environment is a matter that crosses many jurisdictional boundaries. I understand that Environment Canada is taking action on this issue with provincial and territorial governments, the United States and with the broader international and research communities, and also with Canadian industry.

Advancing research has increased awareness about the presence of microplastics in the environment. This includes Canadian research on the levels of microplastics in the Great Lakes, in the St. Lawrence Seaway and in British Columbia.

Other Canadian studies are investigating, for example, the release of microfibres from washing clothes. Still other Canadian studies are looking at waste water effluents and sediments. While we have some answers, this research is by no means complete. Many questions remain not just in Canada but globally.

To improve our science-based understanding of the sources and environmental impacts of microplastics, Canada is participating in several international initiatives. These include initiatives under the International Maritime Organization and also the United Nations environment program.

Canadian research organizations are also working with the U.S. based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and American universities to integrate research on plastic marine debris in the Great Lakes.

Other countries are also working with Canada to better understand the sources, the impact and the options to address microplastics. A key interest of several of out allies is the issue of marine litter. To this end, a recent workshop of G7 member countries was held to consider that issue, and four principles were adopted to guide further action. These include: first, improvement to systems to prevent, reduce and to remove marine litter; second, support for international development assistance and investment; third, promotion of individual and corporate behaviour change through public awareness and education; and fourth recognition that prevention is key to long-term success.

While research has not yet reached definitive conclusions regarding the potential negative impacts of microplastics, efforts are under way in Canada and in other jurisdictions to prevent plastic waste from even entering the environment. Therefore, in Canada for many years we have been working hard to keep plastics out of waterways and out of the environment in general.

Canadian blue box programs, for example, promote recycling and successfully divert plastics and other materials away from landfill sites. However, there is always room for improvement. As such, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment recently adopted a strategy to further improve Canada's record on reducing and recycling waste.

Our collective governments are implementing extended producer responsibility programs to support diversion of waste from landfills and to increase recycling. These efforts, including the reduction of single-use bags distributed to customers, have been adopted by several provincial jurisdictions and will further promote the recycling of plastics. This is all very good news.

In the United States, individual states have recently launched efforts to stop the production and sale of microbeads. In June 2014, Illinois passed a law prohibiting the manufacture of personal care products that contained microbeads. By the end of 2017, these types of cosmetic products will no longer be produced in Illinois, and they may no longer be sold by the end of 2018. Similar legislation is under consideration in Ohio, New York, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado and New Jersey—

Opposition Motion—Environmental impacts of microbeadsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

5:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

Order, please. The time for government orders has expired. It being 5:57 p.m., and this being the final supply day in the period ending March 26, 2015, it is my duty to interrupt the proceedings and put forthwith every question necessary to dispose of the business of supply.

The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Opposition Motion—Environmental impacts of microbeadsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

5:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

No.

Opposition Motion—Environmental impacts of microbeadsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

5:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

Opposition Motion—Environmental impacts of microbeadsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

5:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Yea.

Opposition Motion—Environmental impacts of microbeadsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

5:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

All those opposed will please say nay.

Opposition Motion—Environmental impacts of microbeadsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

5:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Opposition Motion—Environmental impacts of microbeadsBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

5:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

In my opinion the yeas have it.

And five or more members having risen:

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #354

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I declare the motion carried.

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:40 p.m.

Parry Sound—Muskoka Ontario

Conservative

Tony Clement ConservativePresident of the Treasury Board

moved:

That the Supplementary Estimates (c) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, be concurred in.

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:40 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

No.

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:40 p.m.

Some hon. members

Yea.

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

All those opposed will please say nay.

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:40 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

In my opinion, the yeas have it.

And five or more members having risen:

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #355

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I declare the motion carried.

(Motion agreed to)

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Tony Clement Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON

moved that Bill C-54, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2015, be now read the first time and printed.

(Motion deemed adopted and bill read the first time)

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Tony Clement Conservative Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON

moved that the bill be read the second time and referred to committee of the whole.

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

John Duncan Conservative Vancouver Island North, BC

Mr. Speaker, if you seek it, you will find consent to apply the results from the previous motion to the current motion.

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

Is there unanimous consent to proceed in this fashion?

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2014-15Government Orders

6:45 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.