ENVI Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 53

Monday, November 19, 2012

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 268, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Mark Warawa, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Stella Ambler, François Choquette, Kirsty Duncan, James Lunney, François Pilon, Anne Minh-Thu Quach, Michelle Rempel, Robert Sopuck, Lawrence Toet, Mark Warawa and Stephen Woodworth.

Acting Members present: Kellie Leitch for Michelle Rempel and Craig Scott for Megan Anissa Leslie.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Penny Becklumb, Analyst.

Appearing: Hon. Peter Kent, P.C., M.P., Minister of the Environment.

Witnesses: As an individual: Meinhard Doelle, Professor, Dalhousie University. Canadian Energy Pipeline Association: Brenda Kenny, President and Chief Executive Officer; Elizabeth Swanson, Chair, Regulatory Policy Work Group, Associate General Counsel, TransCanada PipeLines. Department of the Environment: Bob Hamilton, Deputy Minister. Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency: Elaine Feldman, President. Parks Canada: Alan Latourelle, Chief Executive Officer.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Monday, November 5, 2012, the Committee resumed its study of the subject matter of clauses 425 to 432 (Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012) of Bill C-45, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 29, 2012 and other measures.

Meinhard Doelle, by videoconference from Halifax, Nova-Scotia, and Brenda Kenny and Elizabeth Swanson, by videoconference from Calgary, Alberta, made statements and answered questions.

At 4:17 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

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

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), the Committee commenced consideration of the Supplementary Estimates (B) 2012-13: Votes 1b, 5b, 10b and 25b under ENVIRONMENT referred to the Committee on Thursday, November 8, 2012.

The Chair called Vote 1b under ENVIRONMENT.

The Minister made a statement and, with Bob Hamilton and Alan Latourelle, answered questions.

At 5:31 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:36 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That the following letter be sent, on behalf of the Committee, to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance :

Dear James Rajotte,

Upon your request, the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development undertook a careful examination of clauses 425-432 of Bill C-45, A Second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 29, 2012 and other measures. In doing so, the Committee invited and heard testimony from officials at the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, as well as a legal scholar and representatives from the energy industry.

Following testimony, the Committee is pleased to inform the Standing Committee on Finance that it has no recommendations or suggested amendments for clauses 425-432 of Bill C-45.

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development would like to thank the Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance for the opportunity to take part in the careful consideration of legislation so important to Canada’s future prosperity.

Sincerely,

Mark Warawa, MP

Chair, Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to the study of the subject matter of clauses 425 to 432 (Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012) of Bill C-45, the proposed budget in the amount of $ 2,200 be adopted.

At 5:41 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Marie-France Renaud
Clerk of the Committee

2012/12/03 1:28 p.m.