THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Tuesday, May 5, 2026
(34)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day at 6:30 p.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Joan Kingston, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Aucoin, Coyle, Dean, Fridhandler, Galvez, Kingston, Lewis, McCallum, Moncion, Moreau, P.C., Verner, P.C., Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador), Wilson and Youance (14).
Participating in the meeting: Emilie Doyon and Sarah Lemelin-Bellerose, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-4, An Act to amend the Energy Efficiency Act.
WITNESSES:
Natural Resources Canada:
Laureen Chung, Director, Equipment Division;
Jean-François Roman, Legal Counsel;
Ben Copp, Director General, Office of Energy Efficiency.
Laureen Chung, Jean-François Roman and Ben Copp answered questions from time to time.
It was agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-4.
It was agreed that the title stand postponed.
It was agreed that clause 1 carry.
The chair asked whether clause 2 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) moved that Bill S-4 be amended in clause 2, on page 1, by replacing lines 15 to 17 with the following:
“class of energy-using products that relates only to energy efficiency or the responsible use of energy, and, in particular, includes standards relating to”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted.
It was agreed that clause 2, as amended, carry.
The chair asked whether clause 3 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) moved that Bill S-4 be amended in clause 3,
(a) on page 2, by deleting line 38;
(b) on page 3, by replacing line 3 with the following:
“energy efficiency; and
(g) to promote the establishment of requirements that are cost-effective, technologically feasible and, to the extent possible, harmonized with comparable requirements established by the provinces and by Canada’s principal trading partners, including the United States and Mexico.”.
At 8:05 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 8:08 p.m., the committee resumed.
After debate, the Honourable Senator Fridhandler moved that the motion in amendment be amended by adding “Canada,” after “established by”.
The question being put on the subamendment, it was adopted on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Aucoin, Fridhandler, Lewis, McCallum, Verner, P.C., Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador), Youance — [7]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Coyle, Dean, Galvez, Kingston, Moreau, P.C., Wilson — [6]
ABSTENTIONS
Nil
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, as amended, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Fridhandler, Lewis, McCallum, Verner, P.C., Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) — [5]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Aucoin, Coyle, Dean, Galvez, Kingston, Moreau, P.C., Wilson, Youance — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
Nil
It was agreed that clause 3 carry.
The chair asked whether clause 4 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) moved that Bill S-4 be amended in clause 4, on page 3, by adding the following after line 17:
“(1.1) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), in relation to a commercial entity, a label affixed to an energy-using product imported into Canada or shipped from one province to another by that commercial entity is deemed to comply with the regulations if the label is affixed by the manufacturer, the importer or their agent and is not manifestly non-compliant with the regulatory requirements.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Aucoin, Fridhandler, Lewis, McCallum, Verner, P.C., Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) — [6]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Coyle, Dean, Kingston, Moreau, P.C., Wilson, Youance — [6]
ABSTENTIONS
Galvez — [1]
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 that clause 12 carry.
The chair asked whether clause 13 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Wilson moved that Bill S-4 be amended in clause 13, on page 8, by replacing line 13 of the English version with the following:
“the thing or product was forfeited, apply by notice in writ-”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was adopted, on division.
It was agreed that clause 13, as amended, carry.
It was agreed that clause 14 carry.
The chair asked whether clause 15 shall carry.
The Honourable Senator Fridhandler moved that Bill S-4 be amended in clause 15, on page 10, by replacing line 31 with the following:
“North American market-driven averages”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Fridhandler, Lewis, Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) — [3]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Aucoin, Coyle, Dean, Galvez, Kingston, McCallum, Moreau, P.C., Wilson, Youance — [9]
ABSTENTIONS
Verner, P.C. — [1]
The Honourable Senator Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) moved that Bill S-4 be amended in clause 15, on page 10, by adding the following after line 31:
“(4) In making regulations under this section, the Governor in Council shall have regard to the need to harmonize, as defined in subsection 20.1(1), with comparable requirements established by the provinces and by the principal trading partners of Canada, including the United States and Mexico.”.
After debate, the question being put on the motion in amendment, it was negatived on the following vote:
YEAS
The Honourable Senators
Fridhandler, Lewis, McCallum, Verner, P.C., Wells (Newfoundland and Labrador) — [5]
NAYS
The Honourable Senators
Aucoin, Coyle, Dean, Galvez, Kingston, Moreau, P.C., Wilson, Youance — [8]
ABSTENTIONS
NIL
It was agreed that clause 15 carry.
At 8:34 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Catherine Cuerrier
Clerk of the Committee