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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE Wednesday, February 11, 2004

 The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

has the honour to table its

FIRST REPORT


Your Committee, which was authorized by the Senate to incur expenses for the purpose of its examination and consideration of such legislation and other matters as were referred to it, reports, pursuant to Rule 104, that the expenses incurred by the Committee during the Second Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament are as follows:

 

1.  With respect to its examination and consideration of legislation:

Professional Services $ 6,906
Transportation $         -
Other, Miscellaneous $    198

Total $ 7,104

Witness expenses $ 46,995

 

2.  With respect to its study on issues relating to energy, the environment and natural resources: 

Professional Services $     8,614
Transportation $ 100,162
Other, Miscellaneous $     1,892

Total $ 110,668

Witness expenses $     8,512

 

Your Committee notes that witness expenses are not paid out of the budgets of individual committees. 

During the Second Session of the Thirty-Seventh Parliament, your Committee reviewed seven (7) bills (C-42, C‑9, C-2, C-4, C-14, C-5 and S-10), conducted a special study, met 39 times, totaling 64.8 hours, tabled or presented a total of 10 reports, and heard 121 witnesses.  

In its First Report, which was tabled in the Senate on October 24, 2002, your Committee reported on its expenses and activities in the First Session of the Thirty-Seventh Parliament, pursuant to Rule 104. 

On December 4, 2002, your Committee presented its Second Report on Bill C-14, An Act providing for controls on the export, import or transit across Canada of rough diamonds and for a certification scheme for their export in order to meet Canada’s obligations under the Kimberley Process (Export and Import of Rough Diamonds Act), which had been referred to it on November 26, 2002.  The bill was reported without amendment. 

Your Committee’s Third Report, which was presented on December 4, 2002, was pursuant to an order of reference from the Senate dated October 22, 2002, on Bill C-5, An Act respecting the protection of wildlife species at risk in Canada.  The bill was reported without amendment.  The report contained observations acknowledging the importance of the legislative initiative to protect species at risk in this country and that future legislation should address outstanding concerns and further strengthen the existing legislation. 

Your Committee’s Fourth Report, presented in the Senate on December 5, 2002, requested financing for its study on emerging issues related to its mandate. The Senate adopted the report on December 5, 2002. 

In its Fifth Report, which was presented on February 6, 2003, your Committee considered Bill C-4, An Act to amend the Nuclear Safety and Control Act pursuant to its order of reference of December 12, 2002.  The bill was reported without amendment. 

The Sixth Report of the Committee was presented to the Senate on April 3, 2003, in accordance to the Procedural Guidelines for the Financial Operation of Senate Committees. (Administrative Report). 

As its Seventh Report, your Committee presented its report on Bill C-2, An Act to establish a process for assessing the environmental and socio-economic effects of certain activities in Yukon, which had been referred to it on April 3, 2003.  The Committee heard 14 witnesses and reported the Bill to the Senate without amendment on May 1, 2003. 

On April 3, 2003 the Committee was authorised to examine and report on Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmen­tal Assessment Act.  On June 4, 2003, the Committee presented its Eighth Report to the Senate without amendment. 

On September 18, 2003, as its Ninth Report, your Committee presented its report on Bill S-10, An Act concerning personal watercraft in navigable waters, which had been referred to it on February 25, 2003.  The Committee heard 19 witnesses and reported the Bill to the Senate. 

The Tenth Report of the Committee was presented to the Senate on September 18, 2003 and dealt with Bill C-42, An Act respecting the protection of the Antarctic Environment.  The Bill was referred to the Committee on September 17, 2003.  The Bill was reported without amendment. 

On November 7, 2002, your Committee received an order of reference to examine emerging issues related to its mandate.  Under this order of reference, the Committee chose to study specific aspects of the government’s plans for implementing the Kyoto Protocol.  In particular, the Committee chose to focus on the One-Tonne Challenge, the government’s call for each individual Canadian to reduce his or her emissions of greenhouse gases by one tonne per year.  The Committee heard from 36 witnesses during 35 hours of hearings.  The witnesses included government officials, and outside experts ranging from academics to representatives from a range of business, utility and environmental organizations.  The Committee also met with the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development and the President of the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy. 

During this session, Committee members also conducted fact-finding missions to California (18 – 20 March 2003) and to Washington D.C. ( 6 – 9 October 2003). 

The Committee travelled to California for discussions focussed on, but not limited to, promotion of alternative energy sources, experience with emissions trading, and programs and incentives aimed at helping individuals reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.  Between March 18 and 20, members met with more than 20 individuals representing seven different agencies and organizations.  Experience with electricity deregulation and the consequent price and supply crisis in the State were also discussed with officials from the State’s largest utility. 

In Washington, Committee members held discussions with more than 30 individuals representing nine departments or organizations.  The Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., the Deputy Secretary of Energy and the President’s Advisor on Environmental Quality were among the many highly informative people with whom members met.  Topics for discussion ranged from energy efficiency programs and practices, and the U.S. approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to the August electricity blackout, clean coal technology, hydrogen research, U.S. energy policy development and air quality regulation.   

The work of the Committee on the special study was interrupted by the prorogation of the Session before a report could be prepared. 

Respectfully submitted,

TOMMY BANKS
Chair


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