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

Issue 22 - Minutes of Proceedings

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met at 9:00 a.m. this day, in room 257, East Block, the Chair, the Honourable Mira Spivak, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Banks, Christensen, Finnerty, Kenny, Sibbeston, Spivak and Taylor (8).

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Lynne Myers, Research Officer.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

The committee, in compliance with its Order of Reference dated December 1, 1999, proceeded to examine such issues as may arise from time to time relating to energy, the environment, and natural resources generally in Canada (Nuclear Reactor Safety). (See Issue No. 2, December 7, 2000, for the full text of the Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

From the International Institute of Concern for Public Health:

Dr. Rosalie Bertell, President.

From the Campaign Against the Adams Mine:

Pierre Bélanger, Member;

Carol McBride, Member;

David Ramsey, M.P.P., Member;

Brennain Lloyd, Member;

David Nahwegahbow, Legal Counsel for the Timiskaming First Nation.

The witnesses made a presentation and answered questions.

It was agreed -- That the document entitled: "Depleted Uranium," provided by Dr. Rosalie Bertell, be tabled and filed as an exhibit 5900-2.36/E1/SS-1, 22 "2".

It was agreed -- That the letter addressed to the Minister of the Environment and the document entitled: "Petition for a Federal Environment Assessment of a Proposed Landfill at the Adams Mine," provided by the Campaign Against the Adams Mine, be tabled and filed as an exhibit 5900-2.36/E1/SS-1, 22 "3" and 5900-2.36/E1/SS-1, 22 "4".

At 10:15 a.m., the committee proceeded to discuss about possible options to address the issue raised.

It was agreed -- That the Chair, on behalf of the committee, would write to the Minister of Environment, the Honourable David Anderson, expressing the support of the committee to the petition of the coalition "Campaign Against the Adams Mine" for a full environmental assesment.

It was agreed -- That the committee reports the decision to support the petition for a full environmental assesment of the project to the Senate and seek the Senate concurrence on its report.

At 10:40 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

Michel Patrice

Clerk of the Committee