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Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources

Issue 12 - Fourth Report of the Committee

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TUESDAY, October 20, 1998

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources has the honour to present its

FOURTH REPORT

Your committee, which was referred the Bill C-29, An Act to establish the Parks Canada Agency and to amend other Acts as a consequence, has, in obedience to the Order of Reference of Monday, June 15, 1998, examined the said Bill and now reports the same without amendment but with the following observations:

During its study of Bill C-29, the committee heard a number of suggestions from witnesses that it feels merit further consideration by the Minister:

(1) That the Preamble of Bill C-29 be expanded to stress and reinforce the conservation mandate of the proposed Agency. The following wording has been proposed:

To effect the conservation of ecosystems and natural areas that extend beyond national park boundaries by working in co-operation with adjacent landowners, and being involved in research, environmental assessment and planning processes within the region;

(2) That a statement of purpose for the Agency be added to strengthen the legislation. The following wording could be used:

The purpose of the Agency is to protect nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage in national parks, national historic sites, marine conservation areas and related heritage areas, and to commemorate and present these places in ways that encourage long term ecological and commemorative integrity;

(3) That the Minister of Canadian Heritage create a national advisory council, comprised of informed stakeholders, and that the council meet quarterly with Parks Canada Agency management; and

(4) That a requirement for public input into the formation and/or alteration of management plans be added to the legislation.

Respectfully submitted,

RONALD D. GHITTER

Chairman

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