ENVI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development met at 11:02 a.m. this day, in Room 228, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Mark Warawa, presiding.

R. Liam Mooney, Jamie Kneen and Denise Carpenter made statements and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 12:03 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:10 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

At 12:26 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:38 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That the analysts, who have been retained by the Committee, be tasked with preparing a draft version of the Committee’s report to the House of Commons (“the draft report”) regarding the statutory review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), with recommendations including:

• The inefficiencies of current practices and the need for improving processes;

• Duplication of environmental assessment activities which cause unnecessary delays in the overall process;

• Ambiguities which exist in the current CEAA legislation;

• Other timeline issues;

• How to address small projects;

• CEAA triggering mechanisms;

• Concerns brought forward by project proponents and stakeholders;

• Substitution and equivalency as options for environmental assessment;

• Simplifying the process when and where possible; and

• Improving predictability and consistency in processes.

That the analysts provide a confidential, draft numbered report to the Committee for consideration no later than Tuesday, December 6, 2011;

That written briefs submitted to the Committee after Monday, November 28, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. not be included in the analysts’ draft report; and

That the Committee return to its study of invasive terrestrial species on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, and continue this study until the analysts present the draft report to the Committee.

It was agreed, — That the meeting on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, be cancelled.

At 1:02 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.