Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, December 6, 2007
(8)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day, at 8:30 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Tommy Banks, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Banks, Brown, Kenny, Milne, Mitchell, Nolin, Sibbeston and Trenholme Counsell (9).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Oliver and Phalen (2).
In attendance: Lynne Myers, Frédéric Beauregard-Tellier and Sam Banks, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 29, 2007, the committee began its examination of Bill C-15, An Act respecting the exploitation of the Donkin coal block and employment in or in connection with the operation of a mine that is wholly or partly at the Donkin coal block, and to make a consequential amendment to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Gary Lunn, P.C., M.P., Minister of Natural Resources.
WITNESSES:
Natural Resources Canada:
Stephen Lucas, Assistant Deputy Minister, Minerals and Metals Sector;
Anne-Marie Fortin, Senior Counsel, Legal Services.
The chair made an opening statement.
Minister Lunn made a presentation and, with Mr. Lucas and Ms. Fortin, answered questions.
At 9:37 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:40 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee resumed in camera for the consideration of a draft agenda.
At 10:15 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, December 11, 2007
(9)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day, at 5:11 p.m. in room 2, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Tommy Banks, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adams, Banks, Brown, Cochrane, Kenny, Milne, Mitchell, Phalen, Sibbeston and Spivak (10).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Moore and Oliver (2).
In attendance: Lynne Myers and Sam Banks, analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 29, 2007, the committee continued its examination of Bill C-15, An Act respecting the exploitation of the Donkin coal block and employment in or in connection with the operation of a mine that is wholly or partly at the Donkin coal block, and to make a consequential amendment to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act.
WITNESSES:
Xstrata Coal:
Jamie Frankcombe, General Manager, Xstrata Coal Americas;
Darren Nicholls, Project Manager, Xstrata Coal Donkin;
Fred Dickson, Lawyer, McInnes & Cooper and Strategy Advisor, Xstrata Coal Donkin.
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency:
Peter Sylvester, President;
Steve Burgess, Acting Vice-President, Program Delivery.
The chair made an opening statement.
Mr. Nicholls made a presentation and, with Messrs. Frankcombe and Dickson, answered questions.
At 6:02 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 6:04 p.m., the committee resumed.
The chair made an opening statement.
Mr. Sylvester made a presentation and, with Mr. Burgess, answered questions.
It was agreed that the letter from Mark Parent, Minister of Environment & Labour, Nova Scotia, dated December 11, 2007 be printed as an appendix to this issue.
At 7:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday, December 13, 2007
(10)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day, at 8:30 a.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Tommy Banks, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Brown, Campbell, Cochrane, Kenny, Milne, Mitchell, Moore, Nolin, Sibbeston, Spivak and Trenholme Counsell (12).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Grafstein (1).
In attendance: Lynne Myers, Frédéric Beauregard-Tellier and Sam Banks, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, November 29, 2007, the committee continued its examination of Bill C-15, An Act respecting the exploitation of the Donkin coal block and employment in or in connection with the operation of a mine that is wholly or partly at the Donkin coal block, and to make a consequential amendment to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act.
It was agreed to move to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-15, An Act respecting the exploitation of the Donkin coal block and employment in or in connection with the operation of a mine that is wholly or partly at the Donkin coal block, and to make a consequential amendment to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 2 carry.
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
It was agreed that clause 4 carry.
It was agreed that clause 5 carry.
It was agreed that clause 6 carry.
It was agreed that clause 7 carry.
It was agreed that clause 8 carry.
It was agreed that clause 9 carry.
It was agreed that clause 10 carry.
It was agreed that clause 11 carry.
It was agreed, by unanimous consent, that clauses 12 to 16 carry.
It was agreed that the schedule carry.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed that the title carry.
It was agreed that the bill carry.
It was agreed that the bill be reported to the Senate.
The Honourable Senator Moore moved that the following special study budget application (2007-08 — CEPA review) be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
Professional and Other Services $ 4,000 Transportation and Communications $ 500 All Other Expenditures $ 500 TOTAL $ 5,000
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, the committee continued its study of the subject matter of Bill S-208, An Act to require the Minister of the Environment to establish, in co- operation with the provinces, an agency with the power to identify and protect Canada's watersheds that will constitute sources of drinking water in the future. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)
At 8:36 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft agenda.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, December 12, 2007, the committee began its study on the review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999, c. 33) pursuant to subsection 343(1) of the said Act.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee continued in camera to consider a draft report.
At 10:30 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
François Michaud
Clerk of the Committee