Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (ANNO)
The committee met twice this week to resume its study of land-use and sustainable economic development.
On Tuesday, December 6th, the committee met with representatives of the Lands Claims Agreements Coalition, a First Nations interest group whose mandate is to defend the integrity and implementation of modern First Nations land claims and self-government agreements. The group discussed the twin problems of the lack of full implementation of treaties and of government funding as well as the importance of pursuing economic development on reserves as a partnership between First Nations and the Crown. Their website can be found here.
On Thursday, December 8th, the committee heard testimony from witnesses from the Institute on Governance. The focus was on the gaps existing in environmental regulatory regimes and the capacity of aboriginal groups to take on greater roles in the development and implementation of regulatory regimes covering various issues from wastewater to ferry transportation.
Before the committee adjourned, Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul’s, Ont., Lib) gave notice of a motion to hold two emergency meetings to address the on-reserve housing crisis confronting First Nations communities across Canada. The text of the motion can be found here.
Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI)
The committee met in camera for both meetings this week. On Tuesday they discussed the witnesses to be called before the committee. This witness list is available online here. On Thursday they were briefed by senior government bureaucrats on the current state of the lobbying act. The meeting was held in camera to allow the MPs to ask questions that they did not wish to be on the record.
Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (AGRI)
The Committee met this week on December 6th and December 8th to hear from witnesses regarding the Business Risk Management (BRM) programs to be included in Growing Forward 2, the government’s upcoming major agriculture policy. Growing Forward partners with provincial and territorial governments and provides funding to the agricultural sector, replacing the Agriculture Policy Framework which expired in March 2008. It will be implemented on April 1, 2013.
More information on Growing Forward 2 can be found here.
In committee meetings, witnesses offered criticisms and suggestions for improvement regarding the current BRM programs included in Growing Forward, and gave feedback regarding the usefulness of these programs to agriculture producers. Witnesses included representatives from the pork, cattle, poultry and potato industries, as well as civil society groups and producer organizations. The committee meetings were marked by concerns regarding the administrative burden placed on farmers by complex paperwork, the perceived lack of innovation in the agricultural sector, and the need for international market access. Specifically, many witnesses expressed reservations about the effectiveness of AgriStability, {link} noting the long wait times in between applying for the program and receiving financial assistance. Furthermore, many witnesses asked for clarifications regarding what types of ‘disasters’ would be covered by the government’s AgriRecovery program.
The committee went in camera at the end of each meeting to discuss committee business.
Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC)
No report this week.
Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM)
The committee met once this week, in camera, on December 8th, 2011, to consider the Third Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure and for consideration of the draft report on the immigration application backlogs in light of the Action Plan for Faster Immigration.
Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI)
The committee met twice this week, in camera, to resume its statutory review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Both meetings were dedicated to consideration of the draft report regarding the statutory review. On Thursday, December 8th, it was agreed that the committee hear the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development no later than Tuesday, December 13, 2011, regarding the 2011 December Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.
The committee was initially expected to hear witnesses on the statutory review of CEAA until Christmas. That changed on November 24th when the committee went in camera and abruptly terminated the hearing of witnesses. It was agreed that the analysts of the committee would prepare the draft report on the statutory review with recommendations for the House of Commons no later than December 6th . The relevant Minutes can be found here.
For criticism of the objectives of the termination of the statutory review of CEAA, please visit these websites:
Standing Committee on Finance (FINA)
The committee met twice this week, in camera, to resume its pre-budget consultations 2011. At both meetings the committee resumed consideration of a draft report.
Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (FOPO)
The committee met twice this week to resume its study on closed containment salmon aquaculture.
On Tuesday, December 6th, the committee held a videoconference with from representatives of Overwaitea Food Group and Albion Fisheries Ltd.
On Thursday, December 8th, the committee held a videoconference with Professor Colin Brauner of the Department of Zoology at the University of British Columbia and Catherine Stewart of the Living Oceans Society. Before the committee adjourned, Patricia Davidson (Sarnia-Lambdon, Ont., CPC) gave notice of a motion to have the committee conduct a study of invasive species that pose a threat to the Great Lakes system. More details on the motion can be found here.
Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE)
The committee met twice this week, on Tuesday, December 6th and on Thursday, December 8th. On Tuesday, the committee heard witnesses from Développement international Desjardins (financial services in the developing world), Micronutrient Initiative (projects for salt iodization, Vitamin A distribution, and more), and Teck Resources Ltd. (zinc for combating diarrhea, mental retardation, and stunted growth). On Thursday, witnesses were from Brandaid Project (marketing goods Haitian artisans produce) and Results Canada (teaming with other organizations on poverty reduction).
On Thursday, Hélène Laverdière (Laurier—Sainte-Marie, NDP) moved that the committee spend at least one public session on Canada’s stance at the February UN Arms Control Treaty Negotiations {details here}. It was agreed that the debate on the motion be adjourned to consideration of committee business. After the witnesses spoke and responded to questions, the meeting was suspended and resumed sitting in camera to consider said committee business. It is speculated by many that the motion was negatived in camera. Link: “Lost In Camera’ Link to the Minutes.
At both meetings, opposition members expressed concern about the general government funding freeze. In response, Lois Brown (Newmarket–Aurora, CPC) pointed out that the current government has doubled aid to Africa.
On Tuesday, Dominic LeBlanc (Beauséjour, Lib.), noted that the committee’s original plan for what to study in these current meetings was Canada’s role regarding Africa in the 21st century. He added that Tuesday was the third session on what the study topic has become the role of the private sector in achieving Canada’s international development interest, with all witnesses thus far suggested by the government. The Chair stated these matters would be discussed on Thursday. The public portion of Thursday’s meeting ended early; the last part of the meeting was held in camera, to discuss committee business.
Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR)
The subcommittee met twice this week, on Tuesday, December 6 and on Thursday, December 8.
On Tuesday, the committee heard from Alex Neve, Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada, on the persecution of the Coptic Christian community in Egypt. Neve provided three reports to the committee.
Links:
- Broken Promises: Egypt’s Military Rulers Erode Human Rights
- Women Demand Equality in Shaping New Egypt
- 10 Steps for Human Rights: Amnesty International’s Human Rights Manifesto for Egypt
Neve also noted concern for Naser Al-Raas, a Canadian tortured in Bahrain, in imminent danger of being returned to prison.
On Thursday, the committee heard from Colonel Wesley Martin, U.S. Army (retired), who appeared as an individual. He presented information on Camp Ashraf, Iraq, and detailed recommendations for the protection of the 34,00 men and women there. Two committee members, Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP) and Hon. Irwin Cotler (Mount Royal, Lib.), stated they would like to see the subcommittee reach a decision on recommendations at its meeting on Tuesday, December 13.
As well, Irwin Cotler moved the motion by Russ Hiebert (South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, CPC) from the previous parliament, which included reference to Ms. Shin Sook-ja and her two daughters, who may still be imprisoned in North Korea. The motion was adopted by consensus. Mr. Cotler noted that the adoption of the motion would be announced at the Council for Human Rights in North Korea meeting in Toronto on December 9.
Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO)
The committee met once this week to commence its study of the new entity Shared Services Canada. Hon. Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, appeared as a witness to make a statement and answer questions.
The committee later suspended and resumed sitting in camera to proceed with matters related to committee business. It was agreed that the committee invite Mario Dion, nominee for the position of Public Sector Integrity Commissioner, to appear at its meeting of Tuesday, December 13, 2011. It was also agreed that a meeting of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be convened when the House of Commons resumes sitting in January 2012 in order to plan the Committee’s business.
Standing Committee on Health (HESA)
The Health committee continued its study on Chronic Diseases relating to aging. Over the past 3 months witnesses have provided statistics, projections and recommendations on issues related both to an aging population and to decreasing general reliance on acute care. This week the focus was Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Witnesses stressed to need to MPs to start health promotion with prenatal care to start the life course in the right path to prevent the 89% of deaths in Canada attributed to chronic disease. Witnesses included members from the Canadian Public Health Association, Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada, Canadian Alliance of Community Health Care Association, Department of Health, Public Health Agency and Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
For more information, please visit their sites:
- Canadian Public Health Association: http://www.cpha.ca/en/default.aspx
- Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada: http://cdpac.ca/
- Canadian Alliance of Community Health Care Association: http://www.cachca.ca/
Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA)
The committee met on December 8th to hear testimony from representatives from the Conference Board of Canada, Suncor Energy Inc., the Mining Industry Human Resource Council and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada. Topics of presentation were the programs in place by various actors working towards greater community development and engagement to support and be supported by industries involved in mineral resource extraction and exploration.
Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU)
The committee met once this week, on December 7. Hon. Gary Goodyear, Minister of State, Science and Technology, attended to present information on the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. After noting its “global reputation for exceptional research” and providing details of its activities, he reviewed a Question Period matter raised by the Member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie (the NDP’s Treasury Board critic) about the Institute’s funding, and stated that misinformation on the matter is on the New Democratic Party website, in a news release dated October 31.
NDP committee members explained that they had found irregularities in government accounting for its funding in information from the Parliamentary Budget Office. Goodyear stated that the accurate source is Public Accounts records, which show no irregularities. He requested NDP committee members present apologize.
Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT)
The Committee met on November 29th, 2011 in camera to discuss travel plans for the week of December 3 to December 9th, 2011. The Committee is travelling to Brussels, Belgium, and Paris to meet with officials on the topic of the Comprehensive Trade Agreement with the EU (CETA). Discussions on CETA have been taking place for a number of weeks now with the Committee hearing testimony from a variety of Canadians representing businesses and organizations that will be impacted by a trade agreement with Europe. One of the greatest issues with CETA is the impact on generic versus prescription drugs, where health care officials are saying that the drug costs for Canadians will increase by 2.8 billion dollars each year. On the other hand, CETA will exponentially help small and medium sized businesses in Canada hoping to bring products such as in agriculture, to the European market. You can learn more about this agreement here.
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
The committee met once this week on 8 December to consider the request made by four members of the committee to undertake a study of Bill C-290 , An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sports betting). Jack Harris (St. John’s East, NDP) spoke to the bill and urged the committee to oversee it before Christmas. Robert Goguen (Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, CPC) moved that the committee complete first its study on organized crime and then resume its study of Bill C-290. The motion was agreed to and the committee suspended and resumed sitting in camera to continue its study on the state of organized crime.
The committee had previously considered its Supplementary Estimates for 2011-12 on 29 November. Prior to that, it completed its clause-by-clause study of Bill C-10, The Safer Streets and Communities Act, also known as the Omnibus Crime Bill.
Liaison Committee (LIAI)
No report this week.
Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN)
The committee continued its study on the readiness of the Canadian forces. Over the past weeks, witnesses from the Department of National Defence have provided reports on the capacities and successes of the Canadian forces regarding response to various issues concerning Canadians. This week the focus was on the importance of maintaining naval readiness, with special consideration on maintaining an arctic presence, encouraging recruitment and supporting naval reserves with continuous learning opportunities.
Standing Committee on Natural Resources (RNNR)
The committee met twice this week to resume its study of resource development in Northern Canada.
On Monday, December 5th, the committee heard testimony from representatives of Gem Steel Edmonton Ltd. And Trinity Helicopters.
On Wednesday, December 7th, the committee heard testimony from Northwatch and Yukon Chamber of Mines.
Standing Committee on Official Languages (LANG)
No report this week.
Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC)
The committee met once this week, in camera, on December 6th, 2011, to resume its study of the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada entitled “Responding to Changing Needs – Recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Following the 40th General Election”. Marc Chénier, Senior Counsel and Director, Electoral Affairs Directorate, Legal Services and Michèle René de Cotret, General Counsel, Electoral Affairs Directorate, Legal Services answered questions from the committee.
The subcommittee on Private Member’s Business met once this week, on December 8th, 2011, for a determination of non-votable Items pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(1).
Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP)
No report this week.
Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU)
The committee met on December 6th to continue the discussions and debate on ‘Drugs and Alcohol in Prisons’. This has been to develop a report. Three witnesses appeared from the federal penitentiary system and answered questions pertaining to drug treatments in prison, over-crowding and psychological evaluations.
The committee met again on December 8th with one witness who gave further testimony to the tune of psychological profiles of addicted inmates, lack of adequate facilities and relationships between guards and inmates. The witness was asked to remain after the first hour to give further testimony. This meeting went in camera for 12 minutes at 12:20pm.
Standing Committee on the Status of Women (FEWO)
The committee met twice this week, in camera, on December 6th and 8th, 2011, for consideration of a draft report on violence against aboriginal women.
The committee had been studying the abuse of older women, and hearing from witnesses on this issue, before it resumed its study on violence against aboriginal women.
Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN)
No report this week.
Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA)
The committee met twice this week, in camera, on December 6th and 8th, 2011. On December 6th, 2011, it was agreed that the Committee visit the locations of; the ‘Wounded Warriors’ headquarters and the ‘Good Shepherd Ministries’ in Toronto, as well as, Ste. Anne’s Hospital and the ‘Canadian Auto Workers’ initiative in Montreal, in place of the first two regular committee meetings to be held in the New Year. The Committee then resumed its study of commemorative celebrations in the twenty-first century, and commenced consideration of a draft report on this study. On December 8th, 2011, the committee resumed its consideration of the draft report.
The committee has been studying the commemorative celebrations in the twenty-first century as well as the delivery of front-line health and wellbeing services for Canadian veterans for several weeks.