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

Issue 5 - Minutes of Proceedings - February 6, 2014

OTTAWA, Thursday, February 6, 2014
(10)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day at 7:59 a.m., in room 9, Victoria Building, the chair, the Honourable Richard Neufeld, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beyak, Boisvenu, Frum, MacDonald, Massicotte, Mitchell, Neufeld, Patterson, Ringuette, Seidman, Sibbeston and Wallace (12).

In attendance: Sam Banks and Marc LeBlanc, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, December 4, 2013, the committee continued its examination of the subject-matter of Bill C-15, An Act to replace the Northwest Territories Act to implement certain provisions of the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement and to repeal or make amendments to the Territorial Lands Act, the Northwest Territories Waters Act, the MacKenzie Valley Resource Management Act, other Acts and certain orders and regulations. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 3.)

WITNESSES:

Ecology North:

Christine Wenman, Manager, Policy and Planning;

Dawn Tremblay, Office Manager.

The chair made a statement.

Ms. Tremblay and Ms. Wenman made a statement and answered questions.

At 8:59 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:02 a.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

After debate, it was agreed that the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on the current state of "One Call" programs that identify critical underground infrastructure in Canada. In particular, the committee shall be authorized to:

Examine the ease of access to One Call programs and their damage prevention procedures, with a view to facilitating One Call services;

Examine best practice harmonization of underground protection practices and call-before-you-dig initiatives across federal, provincial, territorial and municipal government levels;

Recommend specific measures to enhance harmonization of best practices and the development of a national one call service; and

That the committee submit its final report no later than December 31, 2014 and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

At 9:22 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Lynn Gordon

Clerk of the Committee