The Chair presented the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:
Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:
1. That the Committee conduct a study providing insight regarding potential approaches for the Government of Canada’s efforts toward controlling invasive terrestrial species, for example, looking at whether the Government of Canada should prioritize those invasive species that are most damaging to the environment, and how the Government of Canada can ensure the most cost and resource-effective solutions are used to combat invasive terrestrial species, which will commence as the first order of business, and which will examine the following topics:
a. General Environment Canada and Parks Canada policy regarding invasive land species;
b. Japanese Knotweed;
c. Giant Hogweed;
d. Purple Loosestrife;
e. Scotch Broom;
f. European Buckthorn;
g. Brown Spruce Long-Horn Beetle;
h. Asian Long-Horn Beetle;
i. Emerald Ash Borer; and
j. Gypsy Moth.
2. That the Committee undertake a review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, commencing on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, regardless of whether the study of invasive terrestrial species has concluded.
3. That on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, and Thursday, October 6, 2011, the Committee meetings be devoted to the study of invasive terrestrial species.
4. That on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, the Committee hear from witnesses from Environment Canada and Parks Canada in relation to its study of invasive terrestrial species.
5. That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure meet on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, to discuss the scope, the schedule and the potential witnesses for the review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.