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

Issue 19 - Minutes of Proceedings - November 18, 2014

OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 18, 2014
(41)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day at 5:02 p.m., in room 257, East Block, the chair, the Honourable Richard Neufeld, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boisvenu, Day, MacDonald, Massicotte, Neufeld, Patterson, Ringuette, Seidman, Sibbeston, Tannas and Wallace (11).

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

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 30, 2014, the committee continued its study of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 3, 28, and 29 of Part 4 of Bill C-43, A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 11, 2014 and other measures. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 18).

WITNESSES:

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers: (by video conference)

Alex Ferguson, Vice-President, Policy and Performance;

Ben Brunnen, Manager, Fiscal and Economic Policy.

Assembly of First Nations:

Cameron Alexis, Regional Chief (Alberta).

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami:

Terry Audla, President.

Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada:

Jonathan Fitzpatrick, President;

Vince Frisina, Vice-President, Chalk River Professional Employees Group.

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Brunnen and Mr. Alexis each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:49 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:56 p.m., the committee resumed.

The Chair made a statement.

Mr. Audla and Mr. Fitzpatrick each made a statement and, together with Mr. Frisina, answered questions.

At 7:02 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:03 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

It was agreed that the chair be authorized to seek, at the earliest opportunity, 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 emerging issues related to its mandate:

(a) The current state and future direction of production, distribution, consumption, trade, security and sustainability of Canada's energy resources;

(b) Environmental challenges facing Canada including responses to global climate change, air pollution, biodiversity and ecological integrity;

(c) Sustainable development and management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources including but not limited to water, minerals, soils, flora and fauna; and

(d) Canada's international treaty obligations affecting energy, the environment and natural resources and their influence on Canada's economic and social development.

That the committee submit its final report no later than September 30, 2015 and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

It was agreed that the chair seek the authority of the Senate, at the earliest opportunity, to extend the date for the final report of the study of non-renewable and renewable energy development including energy storage, distribution, transmission, consumption and other emerging technologies in Canada's three northern territories from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015.

At 7:04 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Lynn Gordon

Clerk of the Committee