ENVI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 28

Monday, April 28, 2008

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development met at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Bob Mills, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Bernard Bigras, Nathan Cullen, Hon. John Godfrey, Luc Harvey, David J. McGuinty, Bob Mills, Hon. Geoff Regan, Francis Scarpaleggia, Mark Warawa and Jeff Watson.

Acting Members present: David Anderson for Maurice Vellacott and Jean-Yves Roy for Marcel Lussier.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Sam Banks, Analyst ; Tim Williams, Analyst.

Witnesses: Department of Justice: Warren J. Newman, Senior General Counsel, Constitutional and Administrative Law Section. David Suzuki Foundation: Pierre Sadik, Senior Policy Advisor, Sustainability Specialist. As an individual: Glen Toner, Professor, Public Policy, Carleton University.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite the Auditor General and the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to appear before it on Wednesday May 7, 2008.

It was agreed, — That the Committee commence clause by clause of Bill C-474, An Act to require the development and implementation of a National Sustainable Development Strategy, the reporting of progress against a standard set of environmental indicators and the appointment of an independent Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development accountable to Parliament, and to adopt specific goals with respect to sustainable development in Canada, and to make consequential amendments to another Act, on May 12, 2008.

It was agreed, — That amendments for Bill C-474 be submitted to the Clerk by end of day on May 8, 2008.

It was agreed, — That the Minister be invited to appear before the Committee on May 26 or 28, 2008 on Main Estimates 2008-2009.

It was agreed, — That the Committee meet with a delegation, the Environment Committee from the National People's Congress of China, on June 3, 2008.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk prepare a calendar with proposed meetings of the Committee.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on April 17, 2008, the Committee commenced consideration of the report pertaining to the reasons for not having completed the study of Bill C-377, An Act to ensure Canada assumes its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change.

The Committee commenced consideration of a draft report.

On motion of John Godfrey, it was agreed, — That the Committee adopt the Sixth Report on the reasons why the Committee did not complete its study of Bill C-377 and that the Chair present the said report and supplementary or dissenting opinions to the House.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, February 13, 2008, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-474, An Act to require the development and implementation of a National Sustainable Development Strategy, the reporting of progress against a standard set of environmental indicators and the appointment of an independent Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development accountable to Parliament, and to adopt specific goals with respect to sustainable development in Canada, and to make consequential amendments to another Act.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

At 5:29 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Normand Radford
Clerk of the Committee

2008/06/02 3:19 p.m.