Thursday, June 16, 2016

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources has the honour to present its

SECOND REPORT

Your committee, which was authorized by the Senate on Thursday, March 10, 2016, to examine and report on the effects of transitioning to a low carbon economy, respectfully requests funds for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, and requests, for the purpose of such study, that it be empowered to:

(a) engage the services of such counsel, technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary;

(b) adjourn from place to place within Canada; and

(c) travel inside Canada.

Pursuant to Chapter 3:06, section 2(1)(c) of the Senate Administrative Rules, the budget submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the report thereon of that committee are appended to this report.

Respectfully submitted,

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STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Study on the effects of transitioning to a low carbon economy

APPLICATION FOR BUDGET AUTHORIZATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2017

Extract from the Journals of the Senate of Thursday, March 10, 2016:

The Honourable Senator Neufeld moved, seconded by the Honourable Senator Frum:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be authorized to examine and report on the effects of transitioning to a low carbon economy, as required to meet the Government of Canada’s announced targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions. Recognizing the role of energy production, distribution and consumption in Canada, the committee shall be authorized to:

(a) identify and report on the impact transitioning to a low carbon economy will have on energy end users, including Canadian households and businesses;

(b) identify and report on the most viable way the following sectors — electricity, oil and gas, transportation, buildings and trade-exposed energy intensive industries — can contribute to a low carbon economy in meeting Canada’s emission targets;

(c) examine and report on cross-sector issues and undertake case studies, if necessary, on specific programs or initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions;

(d) identify areas of concern and make any necessary recommendations to the federal government that will help achieve greenhouse gas emission targets in a manner that is sustainable, affordable, efficient, equitable and achievable.

That the committee submit interim reports on identified sectors, cross-sector issues and case studies and submit its final report no later than September 30, 2017, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until 180 days after the tabling of the final report.

After debate,

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

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SUMMARY OF BUDGET

The above budget was approved by the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources on Thursday, June 9, 2016.

The undersigned or an alternate will be in attendance on the date that this budget is considered.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

GENERAL ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL COST OF THE SPECIAL STUDY

Pursuant to Chapter 3:06, section 2(2) of the Senate Administrative Rules.

Estimate for fiscal year 2016-2017 - $153,983

Expenses for fiscal year 2017-2018 - $65,000

Estimate of the total cost of the special study - $218,983

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APPENDIX (B) TO THE REPORT

Thursday, June 16, 2016

The Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration has examined the budget presented to it by the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources for the proposed expenditures of the said committee for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, for the purpose of its special study on the effects of transitioning to a low carbon economy, as authorized by the Senate on Thursday, March 10, 2016. The approved budget is as follows:

(includes funds for fact finding missions, as well as approval for sole source for charter flights; includes funds for 9 senators to travel; decisions on General Expenses, Activity 2 and Activity 3 are deferred)

The budgets approved by the Senate for each travel activity are the maximum amount that can be spent for that activity;

Budgets normally include funds for the full membership of the committee to travel;

In general, a reduced delegation actually travels and efforts are made to find additional savings;

Therefore, actual expenditures are expected to be considerably below the approved budget, and they will be reported to the Senate;

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Any surplus funds remaining at the conclusion of a travel activity will be clawed-back and can be made available for allocation to committees for other activities.

Respectfully submitted,