C-315
First Session, Thirty-ninth Parliament,
55 Elizabeth II, 2006
HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA
BILL C-315
An Act to provide for the harmonization of environmental standards throughout Canada
first reading, May 31, 2006
Mr. Silva
391126
SUMMARY
The purpose of this enactment is to establish a process of consultation with the provinces in order to achieve uniformity in the environmental standards applied throughout the country.
The Minister of the Environment is required to convene a conference of provincial ministers of the environment and to establish an advisory committee on uniformity in environmental standards. The Committee is responsible for the preparation of a report to be laid by the Minister before each House of Parliament and to be considered by the appropriate Standing Committees.
Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca
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1st Session, 39th Parliament,
55 Elizabeth II, 2006
house of commons of canada
BILL C-315
An Act to provide for the harmonization of environmental standards throughout Canada
Preamble
WHEREAS Canada and its provinces have similar objectives for the protection of the environment;
WHEREAS environmental standards have been set at similar but not identical levels throughout the nation;
WHEREAS municipalities and industry will benefit from the standardization of equipment and procedures;
AND WHEREAS environmental quality can best be maintained throughout Canada if standards, monitoring procedures and enforcement methods are consistent throughout the nation;
NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the National Environmental Standards Act.
Definitions
2. The following definitions apply in this Act.
“Committee”« Comité »
“Committee” means the Canadian Environmental Standards Committee established under section 4.
“environmental standard”« norme environnementale »
“environmental standard” means a stipulated standard or allowed limit established by or under an Act of Parliament or of the legislature of a province that is used as the basis for environmental management.
“Minister”« ministre »
“Minister” means the Minister of the Environment.
Conference of ministers
3. (1) The Minister shall, within 180 days after the coming into force of this Act, convene a conference of the provincial ministers of the Crown responsible for the environment.
Objective of conference
(2) The objective of the conference is to implement a process of consultation among the provinces in order to achieve uniformity in the environmental standards applied throughout Canada.
Advisory committee
4. (1) The Minister shall establish a committee, to be known as the Canadian Environmental Standards Committee, the members of which shall be appointed by the Minister in accordance with subsection (3).
Mandate
(2) The mandate of the Committee is to undertake a comprehensive review of the specific environmental needs of each province, to advise and make recommendations to the Minister on matters related to achieving uniform environmental standards throughout Canada, and to propose relevant draft legislation that could be passed by Parliament and the legislature of every province.
Composition of Committee
(3) The Minister shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the Committee’s membership
(a) reflects a broad range of scientific and technical disciplines related to the protection of the environment; and
(b) reflects expertise in matters related to municipalities, and industry, law, and other social sciences, as needed.
Annual report
5. (1) The Committee shall submit to the Minister a report for each of the three consecutive twelve-month periods starting with the period commencing on the day on which this Act comes into force.
Contents
(2) The report submitted under subsection (1) shall set out the Committee’s findings, conclusions and recommendations respecting the achievement of uniformity or a greater degree of uniformity in the environmental standards applied throughout Canada, the status of relevant draft legislation and any other matter that the Committee deems appropriate.
Report laid before Parliament
(3) Every report under subsection (1) shall be submitted within six months after the end of each period, and the Minister shall cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first ten days on which the House sits after the Minister receives it.
Report referred to standing committee
(4) When a report is laid before a House of Parliament under subsection (3), it shall stand referred to the standing committee of that House that normally considers matters relating to the environment.
Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services CanadaOttawa, Ontario K1A 0S5Telephone: (613) 941-5995 or 1-800-635-7943Fax: (613) 954-5779 or 1-800-565-7757publications@pwgsc.gc.cahttp://publications.gc.ca