QUESTION PERIOD — Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
Business of Committee
May 8, 2019
To the Leader of the Government’s relief, I’m not going to ask him a question. My question is for the chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, Senator Galvez.
Yesterday, Senators Wetston and Woo revealed a package of amendments for Bill C-69 at the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. I’m encouraged to see that members of the ISG have come to the conclusion that Bill C-69 requires major changes. As Senator Wetston made clear in the press release yesterday, it has become clear that Bill C-69 is flawed in a number of areas. I couldn’t agree more.
But yesterday, we were calling them Senator Wetston’s amendments. He took umbrage at that, and he said that they were ISG amendments. You claim that you make up your mind independently, and yet the amendments are being presented as if coming from a caucus.
Senator Galvez, as chair of the committee, can you confirm that the ISG amendment package proposed in committee yesterday has the full support of the independent ISG members? I can agree that, on our side, we have the full support of our caucus. We have very little time left in our study of this bill. Clarity on the position of the ISG would be welcome and helpful.
Can you guarantee that all members of the ISG stand by the amendments?
Thank you, Senator Tkachuk, for your question. It is my understanding that the amendments presented yesterday belong to the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources senators who belong to the ISG group.
Are you willing to guarantee that the amendments will have enough support from ISG members to get them through third reading in the Senate?
I don’t understand your question.
The question was this: Can you guarantee the amendments will have enough support from ISG members to get them through third reading in the Senate?
I don’t think so. You should ask that question to the facilitator of ISG. How can I know?
My question, too, is for the chair of the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Yesterday, your leader, Senator Woo, said that the ISG had been working closely with the government on Senator Wetston’s amendments package and that the ISG had assurances from the government that Senator Wetston’s amendments would be accepted.
Can you clarify this, Senator Galvez: Has Senator Wetston’s amendments package been developed with the support of government representatives?
I’m sorry, I don’t know. I’m not aware. I cannot tell you.
Perhaps you could tell us whether the government has given assurances that Senator Wetston’s package of amendments will be accepted?
I cannot answer that. I have no knowledge of that.
