Nathan Cullen moved, — That the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development undertake a study and call witnesses, including the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, to examine measures necessary for Canada to contribute its fair share to international efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels as committed by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, including a review of a) national and regional trends and projects; b) carbon pricing methodologies; c) opportunities within the clean energy and clean technology sectors; and d) assessment of the positive and negative economic impacts.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.

William Amos moved, — That the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development undertake a study and make recommendations in relation to the following matters:

1) An assessment of how the full range of federal protected areas, including national parks, migratory bird conservation areas, national wildlife areas, national marine conservation areas, national historic sites, and other federal lands, are integrated to achieve international conservation targets and domestic legislative objectives. This study may include an examination of the potential for indigenous conservation initiatives, and critical habitat as identified in recovery strategies pursuant to the Species at Risk Act.

2) A review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, in particular as regards chemicals management, air and water quality, pollution prevention planning, precautionary thresholds for persistence and bioaccumulation in toxicity assessments, risk management strategies and re-assessment of substances. This study may incorporate recommendations for reform in relation to other federal legislation and/or regulations pertaining to the protection of human health and the environment from toxic substances.

3) An assessment of the Federal Sustainable Development Act, with a view to improving the effectiveness and implementation of this legislation to ensure the environmental accountability of federal institutions. This may include: i) an examination of the implementation of departmental sustainable development strategies; ii) the effective integration of climate change considerations at all levels of federal decision-making, including crown corporations; iii) the ability of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to ensure accountability pursuant to audits.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.

Ed Fast moved, — That the Committee call witnesses and undertake a comprehensive study on the state of clean technology in Canada as it relates to clean air and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This would include a review of the upstream sector (bio-refinery products and power generation) and downstream sector (energy infrastructure/smart grid, energy efficiency/green buildings, industrial processes and products, extractive processes and products, transportation and recycling, recovery and remediation). The study would include an assessment of the commercialization of clean technologies within Canada and the relative efficacy of different clean technologies and technological approaches to achieve Canada’s emission goals.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 5.

At 12:28 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:33 p.m., the sitting resumed.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee prioritize studies in the following order:

1) A review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

concurrently with;

2) Federal protected areas and conservation objectives;

3) An assessment of the Federal Sustainable Development Act;

4) How Canada can fairly contribute to International efforts to limit global temperature rise.