MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 4

Thursday, November 21, 2002

The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, Northern Development and Natural Resources met in camera at 11:04 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Raymond Bonin, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Raymond Bonin, Serge Cardin, David Chatters, John Finlay, John Godfrey, Yvan Loubier, Anita Neville, Brian Pallister, Benoît Serré, Maurice Vellacott.

Acting Members present: Shawn Murphy for Gérard Binet; David Price for R. John Efford; Yvon Charbonneau for Nancy Karetak-Lindell; Gilbert Normand for Brent St. Denis; Joe Comartin for Pat Martin; Gerald Keddy for Inky Mark.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Jean-Luc Bourdages, analyst.

Witnesses: From the Department of Natural Resources: Joanne Kellerman, General Counsel, Legal Services; David McLellan, Acting Director General, Energy Resources Branch. From the Campaign for Nuclear Phaseout: Shawn-Patrick Stensil, National Coordinator. From the Energy Probe: Norman Rubin, Director, Nuclear Research. From the Sierra Club of Canada: Elizabeth May, Executive Director.

The Committee proceeded to the discussion of its future business.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed – That the Committee sit in public.

It was agreed – That the Committee not re-open the discussion pertaining to the timetable on Bill C-4, the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, as adopted by the Committee on Thursday, November 7, 2002 (see Minutes of Proceedings, Thursday, November 7, 2002, meeting No. 2)

Joe Comartin moved – That the Committee issue a summons to the appropriate individuals from Bruce Power to testify before this Committee on Bill C-4 (Nuclear Safety and Control Act).

Following debate, Benoît Serré moved – That the question now be put.

The question being put on the motion, it was agreed by a show of hands:

Yeas: 7

Nays: 1

The question being put on the motion of Mr. Comartin, it was negatived by a show of hands:

Yeas: 3

Nays: 9

On motion of Gerald Keddy, it was agreed – That the Minister of Natural Resources be requested to appear before the Committee at the earliest opportunity to discuss the Estimates and other issues pertaining to the department.

On motion of John Godfrey, it was agreed – That the following witness list be adopted for the Committee’s study of Bill C-2, the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Act. 

Panel One: Governments

DIAND officials

Yukon Government officials

Association of Yukon Communities

Panel Two: First Nations

Council of Yukon First Nations

Individual First Nations covered by the UFA, with and without final agreements

Aboriginal groups with land claim agreements (Inuvialuit, Gwich’in Tribal Council and Tetlit Gwich’in Council)

Panel Three: Industry/Business

Yukon Chamber of Commerce

Yukon Chamber of Mines

Klondike Placer Miners’ Association

Panel Four: Environmental Groups

Yukon Conservation Society

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

First Nations Environmental Network

Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (Merrell-Ann Phare, Executive Director and Legal Counsel)

Pursuant to its Order of Reference of Thursday, October 3, 2002, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-4, An Act to amend the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (See Minutes of Proceedings, Tuesday, November 19, 2002, Meeting No. 3).

The Committee resumed consideration of Clause 1.

The witnesses each made an opening statement and answered questions.

The Committee proceeded to the Clause-by-Clause consideration of Bill C-4.

Joe Comartin moved – That Clause 1 be amended by striking out the word “may” and by inserting the following: “shall”.

It was agreed – That the debate do now adjourn.

At 1:32 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Elizabeth B. Kingston

Clerk of the Committee