ENVI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development met at 3:29 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, James Bezan, presiding.

Linda Duncan moved, — That the Committee, in conducting its clause-by-clause review of Bill C-469, An Act to establish a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights, allocate a maximum of five minutes per recognized political party for debate in relation to consideration of each clause or amendment.

Debate arose thereon.

Mark Warawa moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “recognized political party” with the word “member”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Mark Warawa and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

Stephen Woodworth moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “five minutes per recognized political party” with the words “ten minutes per member”.

At 4:32 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:48 p.m., the sitting resumed.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Stephen Woodworth and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

Joyce Murray moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “five” with the word “eight”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Joyce Murray and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Committee, in conducting its clause-by-clause review of Bill C-469, An Act to establish a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights, allocate a maximum of eight minutes per recognized political party for debate in relation to consideration of each clause or amendment.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The Committee resumed clause-by-clause consideration on Clause 3 of the Bill.

After debate, Clause 3 carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Bernard Bigras, Linda Duncan, Joyce Murray, Christian Ouellet, Francis Scarpaleggia, Francis Valeriote — 6; NAYS: Scott Armstrong, Leon Benoit, Steven Blaney, Mark Warawa, Stephen Woodworth — 5.

After debate, Clause 4 carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Bernard Bigras, Linda Duncan, Joyce Murray, Christian Ouellet, Francis Scarpaleggia, Francis Valeriote — 6; NAYS: Scott Armstrong, Leon Benoit, Steven Blaney, Mark Warawa, Stephen Woodworth — 5.

After debate, Clause 5 carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Bernard Bigras, Linda Duncan, Joyce Murray, Christian Ouellet, Francis Scarpaleggia, Francis Valeriote — 6; NAYS: Scott Armstrong, Leon Benoit, Steven Blaney, Mark Warawa, Stephen Woodworth — 5.

On Clause 6,

“(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.”

Debate arose thereon.

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