Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI)

The committee reviewed its expenditure plans for the Department of Environment.  The Honourable Peter Kent presented the estimates to the committee.  He outlined several new initiatives, including the oil sand monitoring program, the development of performance standards for coal-fired power plants, and an increase in funding for weather and warning services.  Opposition members expressed concern that the focus on economic recovery and efficiency would result in reduced funding for aboriginal consultations under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the dismantling of the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Lab.