ENVI Committee Meeting
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Minutes of Proceedings
Conservative
Bloc Québécois
Pursuant to Standing Order 106(2), the clerk of the committee presided over the election of the vice-chair.
On motion of Michael Kram, it was agreed, — That Dan Mazier be elected First Vice-Chair of the committee.
The committee resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, of Taylor Bachrach moved on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, which read as follows:
Given that over 15 million hectares of forest have burnt this summer from forest fires, nearly 200,000 Canadians have been placed under an evacuation order this season, climate change continues to increase the likelihood of extreme fire conditions;
Given that recent comments made by Suncor CEO Rich Kruger indicate a clear move away from environmental sustainability in the oil and gas sector in the interest of maximizing profits;
Given that the oil and gas sector is responsible for 28% of GHG emissions in Canada;
Given that the oil and gas sector is poised to make record profits in 2023 following a year of record profits in 2022;
Given that the Government of Alberta announced this summer a moratorium on renewable energy projects in the province;
Given that Canadians are relying on provincial governments and leaders in the oil and gas sector to do their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change;
That pursuant to Standing Order 180(2), the committee invite Suncor CEO Rich Kruger and the Alberta Minister of Energy and Minerals the Honourable Brian Jean to explain why their companies are abandoning their climate targets that had been previously laid out in the face of a climate emergency; that, given the urgency of the climate crisis, Rich Kruger be invited as soon as possible to appear; that a report of the meetings be prepared and reported to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
Debate arose thereon.
On motion of Michael Kram, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words prior to “That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2)”.
The debate on the motion of Taylor Bachrach continued.
Gérard Deltell moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “CEO Rich Kruger” with the words “Energy Inc.”.
After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Gérard Deltell, Tom Kmiec, Michael Kram, Dan Mazier — 4;
NAYS: John Aldag, Shafqat Ali, Taylor Bachrach, Sophie Chatel, Monique Pauzé, Leah Taylor Roy, Adam van Koeverden — 7.
The debate on the motion, as amended, continued.
Tom Kmiec moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “to explain why their companies are abandoning their climate targets that had been previously laid out in the face of a climate emergency” with the words “to testify on their environmental plans and targets”.
At 12:02 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 12:15 p.m., the sitting resumed.
The debate on the amendment of Tom Kmiec continued.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Gérard Deltell, Tom Kmiec, Michael Kram, Dan Mazier — 4;
NAYS: John Aldag, Shafqat Ali, Taylor Bachrach, Sophie Chatel, Monique Pauzé, Leah Taylor Roy, Adam van Koeverden — 7.
The debate on the motion, as amended, continued.
Tom Kmiec moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “the Minister of Energy and Minerals, the Honourable Brian Jean” with the words “a representative of the government of Alberta”.
A point of order was raised as to the procedural acceptability of the proposed motion.
RULING BY THE CHAIR
The Chair ruled the proposed motion inadmissible because it is incompatible with a previously adopted amendment.
The debate on the motion, as amended, continued.
It was agreed, — That the motion be amended by moving the words “and invite the Alberta Minister of Energy and Minerals the Honourable Brian Jean” after the words “climate emergency;”.
The debate on the motion, as amended, continued.
Tom Kmiec moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the words “or the Honourable Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities” after the words “the Honourable Brian Jean”.
On motion of Taylor Bachrach, it was agreed, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the word “or” with the word “and”.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Tom Kmiec and it was agreed to.
The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: John Aldag, Shafqat Ali, Taylor Bachrach, Sophie Chatel, Monique Pauzé, Leah Taylor Roy, Adam van Koeverden — 7;
NAYS: Gérard Deltell, Tom Kmiec, Michael Kram, Dan Mazier — 4.
The motion, as amended, read as follows:
That pursuant to Standing Order 180(2), the committee invite Suncor CEO Rich Kruger to explain why its company is abandoning its climate targets that had been previously laid out in the face of a climate emergency; and the Alberta Minister of Energy and Minerals the Honourable Brian Jean and the Honourable Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities that, given the urgency of the climate crisis, they be invited as soon as possible to appear; that a report of the meetings be prepared and reported to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the government table a comprehensive response to the report.
Rick Perkins moved, — That the committee express its disappointment with the regulatory environment created by this government that has led to tidal power projects pulling out of Canada and acknowledges that one of the primary factors contributing to the departure of these capital investments has been recent changes that have created an intricate regulatory landscape.
Debate arose thereon.
Dan Mazier moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “regulatory landscape” the following: “and that the committee report to the House”.
The question was put on the amendment of Dan Mazier and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Gérard Deltell, Michael Kram, Dan Mazier, Rick Perkins — 4;
NAYS: John Aldag, Shafqat Ali, Taylor Bachrach, Sophie Chatel, Monique Pauzé, Leah Taylor Roy, Adam van Koeverden — 7.
The debate on the motion continued.
At 12:59 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.