Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
Issue 3 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 31, 2002
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources met in camera at 8:35 a.m. this day, in room 257, East Block, the Honourable Senator Banks, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Banks, Christensen, Cochrane, Eyton, Finnerty, Kenny, Milne, Spivak, and Watt (9).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Gustafson and Sibbeston (2).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Lynne Myers, Researcher, Science and Technology Division and James McQueen, Researcher, Economics Division.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera for the consideration of a draft agenda.
At 10:23 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday November 5, 2002
(4)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources met at 5:45 p.m. this day, in room 257, East Block, the Honourable Tommy Banks, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, Banks, Buchanan, Christensen, Cochrane, Finnerty, Kenny, Milne, Taylor and Watt (10).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Gustafson and Sibbeston (2).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Lynne Myers, Researcher, Science and Technology Division and James McQueen, Researcher, Economics Division.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 22, 2002, the committee proceeded to study Bill C-5, An Act respecting the protection of wildlife species at risk in Canada. (For complete text of Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2, October 24, 2002.)
WITNESSES:
As a panel:
From Environment Canada:
Ruth Wherry, Director SARA (Species at Risk Act) Office;
Simon Nadeau, Scientific Advisor.
From Justice Canada:
David Near, Senior Counsel.
Ms. Wherry made an opening statement. Together, all the witnesses answered questions.
The Honourable Senator Watt tabled with the Clerk of the Committee, correspondence exchanged with the Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice. This correspondence was filed as Exhibit 5900-2.37/E1-C-5, 3 ``1''.
At 7:15 p.m., the committee proceeded in camera, pursuant to Rule 92(2)(e) to consider future business.
It was agreed, — That Senators' staff be allowed to stay.
It was agreed, — That the following budget application for legislation be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:
Summary of Expenditures
Professional and Other Services $ 26,000
Transportation and Communications $ 600
Other Expenditures $ 1,000
TOTAL $ 27,500
It was agreed, — That the Committee authorize the Chair to seek the following mandate from the Senate:
That the Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on emerging issues related to its mandate:
The current state and future direction of production, distribution, consumption, trade, security and sustainability of Canada's energy resources;
Environmental challenges facing Canada including responses to global climate change, air pollution, biodiversity and ecological integrity;
Sustainable development and management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources including water, minerals, soils, flora and fauna;
Canada's international treaty obligations affecting energy, the environment and natural resources and their influence on Canada's economic and social development; and,
That the committee report to the Senate from time to time, no later than February 28, 2005, and that the committee retain until March 31, 2005 all powers necessary to publicize its findings.
At 8:00 p.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Thursday November 7, 2002
(5)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources met at 8:35 a.m. this day, in room 257, East Block, the Honourable Tommy Banks, Chair, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Baker, Banks, Buchanan, Christensen, Cochrane, Eyton, Finnerty, Kenny, Milne, Taylor and Watt (11).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Fitzpatrick and Sibbeston (2).
In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: Lynne Myers, Researcher, Science and Technology Division and James McQueen, Researcher, Economics Division.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 22, 2002, the committee proceeded to study Bill C-5, An Act respecting the protection of wildlife species at risk in Canada. (For complete text of Order of Reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2, October 24, 2002.)
WITNESSES:
From the Species at Risk Working Group:
Sandy Baumgartner, Manager of Programs and Communication, Canadian Wildlife Federation;
Pierre Gratton, Vice-President Public Affairs and Communication, The Mining Association of Canada;
Elizabeth May, Executive Director, Sierra Club of Canada;
Andrew de Vries, Biodiversity Advisor, Forest Products Association of Canada.
From the Okanagan Nation Alliance:
Dan Wilson, Chief.
Sandy Baumgartner, Pierre Gratton and Elizabeth May each made a statement. Together the witnesses from the Species at Risk Working Group answered questions.
Chief Wilson made an opening statement and answered questions.
At 10:31 a.m., it was agreed that the committee adjourn to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Josée Thérien
Clerk of the Committee