ENVI Committee Report

Members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development dedicate this report to people who take to heart the public interest, think beyond the next election, and appreciate the fact that a healthy economy, in order to last, requires careful management and an appreciation of environmental and social values.

This report is for parliamentarians, policy makers, policy advisors and anyone interested in environmental assessment. Its aim is to give a clear sense of direction for environmental assessment through its recommendations. The report was made possible by the valuable testimony of witnesses on Bill C-9 before the Committee, consultations with knowledgeable people in the field of environmental assessment and, in particular, by Stephen Hazell. The technical and practical experience provided by him and numerous witnesses was considerable and provided the substance of the recommendations contained in this document.

This report is triggered by the narrow scope of Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. We felt an effort was needed to address the broader scope of environmental assessment in Canada. True, within the rules of procedure, it was possible to make some 76 amendments to Bill C-9 at the Committee stage, including the placing of Crown corporations under the Act (not a minor feat), and including a parliamentary review of the Act seven years after proclamation. But all this was not enough. Something was needed for the next review of the Act, scheduled to take place around the year 2010. It is our hope officials in the Privy Council Office, Environment Canada, the Canadian Environmental Agency and interested parliamentarians will examine this report and its recommendations before drafting the next bill.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act was first enacted by Parliament over 10 years ago in the hope it would make a significant contribution to sustainable development and the protection of the environment. If implemented, this report, which addresses the current shortcomings of federal law, could give momentum towards a stronger federal role in achieving sustainable development, for the benefit of Canadians and the public good.

The Hon. Charles Caccia
Member of Parliament for Davenport
Committee Chair
June 2003