ENVI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development met in camera at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room C-110, 1 Wellington Street, the Chair, James Bezan, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in public.

At 3:33 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:35 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

At 3:36 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 115(5), the sitting was suspended.

At 4:30 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Mark Warawa moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 97.1(1), and after concluding hearings, the Committee recommends that the House of Commons not proceed further with Bill C-469, An Act to establish a Canadian Bill of Rights, because the Bill:

• will enable any resident of Canada to challenge any regulatory standard, at any time, thereby trumping the existing regulatory process, creating regulatory and investment unpredictability;

• will encroach on areas of provincial environmental jurisdiction;

• does not allow for the balance of the Social, Economic and Environmental pillars of Sustainable Development;

• overlaps with aspects of existing Federal legislation and policies which give rise to redundancy or conflict; and

• removes numerous safeguards which ensure that environmental rights do not overwhelm government capacity and judicial resources.

Debate arose thereon.

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