ENVI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 42

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development met at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, James Bezan, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Scott Armstrong, James Bezan, Steven Blaney, Blaine Calkins, Linda Duncan, Gerard Kennedy, Joyce Murray, Christian Ouellet, Francis Scarpaleggia, Mark Warawa and Stephen Woodworth.

Acting Members present: Louis Plamondon for Bernard Bigras and Francis Valeriote for Gerard Kennedy.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Kristen E. Courtney, Analyst ; Tim Williams, Analyst.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, June 16, 2010, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-469, An Act to establish a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights.

The Committee resumed consideration of Clause 6 and the amendment of Francis Scarpaleggia, — That Bill C-469, in Clause 6, be amended by adding after line 18 on page 7 the following:

“(2) This Act is intended to complement Canada’s rights and obligations under international law. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Act and the provisions of any international convention in force in Canada, the provision of the convention will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.”

The debate continued.

Linda Duncan moved, — That the amendment be amended by

(a) replacing the word “complement” with the words “ensure consistency with”

(b) replacing the words “in the event of any inconsistency” with the words “in the event of any conflict”

(d) replacing the words “the extent of the inconsistency” with the words “the extent of any conflict”

After debate, the subamendment, amendment and Clause 6 were allowed to stand by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

After debate, Clause 7 carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Linda Duncan, Gerard Kennedy, Joyce Murray, Christian Ouellet, Louis Plamondon, Francis Scarpaleggia — 6; NAYS: Scott Armstrong, Steven Blaney, Blaine Calkins, Mark Warawa, Stephen Woodworth — 5.

On Clause 8,

Linda Duncan moved, — That Bill C-469, in Clause 8, be amended by replacing line 23 on page 7 with the following:

“related to federal land, aboriginal land or a federal work or”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Linda Duncan and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Linda Duncan, Gerard Kennedy, Joyce Murray, Christian Ouellet, Louis Plamondon, Francis Scarpaleggia — 6; NAYS: Scott Armstrong, Steven Blaney, Blaine Calkins, Mark Warawa, Stephen Woodworth — 5.

After debate, Clause 8, as amended, carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Linda Duncan, Gerard Kennedy, Joyce Murray, Christian Ouellet, Louis Plamondon, Francis Scarpaleggia — 6; NAYS: Scott Armstrong, Steven Blaney, Blaine Calkins, Mark Warawa, Stephen Woodworth — 5.

On Clause 9,

Christian Ouellet moved, — That Bill C-469, in Clause 9, be amended by replacing line 27 on page 7 with the following:

“ment to the extent required by federal Acts and regulations.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Christian Ouellet and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 2; NAYS: 9.

Gerard Kennedy moved, — That Bill C-469, in Clause 9, be amended by adding after line 5 on page 8 the following:

“(4) Every person in Canada has the obligation to protect the environment.”

After debate, the amendment and Clause 9 were allowed to stand by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

On Clause 10,

Francis Valeriote moved, — That Bill C-469, in Clause 10, be amended by adding after line 12 on page 8 the following:

“(2) For greater certainty, the environmental information referred to in subsection (1) shall be made available to the public in addition to any information disclosed under the Access to Information Act.”

Debate arose thereon.

At 4:51 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:52 p.m., the sitting resumed.

At 5:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Guyanne L. Desforges
Clerk of the Committee

2010/12/15 9:53 a.m.