I move that clause 19 of Bill 39 be amended by a), striking out "and" at the end of English version of paragraph (d), and substituting semi-colon; b), striking out the period at the end of paragraph (e) and substituting "and"; and c), adding the following after paragraph (e); (f) the steps which were taken to prepare or amend a statement of environmental values under section 17; and (g) the steps that were taken to ensure that a statement of environmental values prepared or amended under section 17 was considered in decisions where required by this act. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. The purpose of this motion is to add a couple more items to the list of subject matter for the annual report that the Minister is going to table in the Legislative Assembly. Right now, the Minister will report on investigations, prosecutions, actions, the disposition of any money, convictions for offences under this act, so it is a very short list of what is to be reported on. What has happened here is some improvements to the bill as I mentioned earlier. One of the big improvements, in my view, and I want to give the department credit for this is this idea of a statement of environmental values. That is to be developed now through a public process by the executive council, is to help guide decision-making in the future, maybe on a case-by-case basis.
How is anybody supposed to know how that is actually implemented? The purpose of this is to get the Minister to provide some information on how the statement of environmental values is actually implemented. Standing committees have spent a lot of time reviewing a number of bills before us, and in some cases, creating long lists of items to be included in annual reports to make sure that the public is informed, that there is a record of important decisions and things that are done under legislation. Because this is an important addition to the bill, I felt it was something that can and should be added to the annual report requirements. I don't think this has to be an exhaustive list of every time the statement of environmental values have been used. It can and should be at a high level to give the public some confidence that the statement of environmental values is actually being used and implemented in some fashion.
The motion would require that there would be some documentation around the steps to prepare or amend the statement of environment values, and then, how it is actually being implemented or used. I think this is, again, a helpful amendment that would improve understanding of how the act, the bill, when it comes into force, is actually being used. I expect and look towards all of my colleagues to support this improvement. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. To the motion?
Question.
Question has been called. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I would request a recorded vote. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Question.
Question.
