Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development
Name	Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development
Type	parliamentary committee
Jurisdiction	House of Commons of Canada
Established	1971
Parent organization	Parliament of Canada

Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development is a legislative committee of the House of Commons of Canada tasked with review and study of statutes, programs, and policy issues related to environmental protection, natural resources, and sustainable development. It examines proposed legislation, conducts studies on matters such as climate change, biodiversity, and pollution, and reports findings to the House of Commons of Canada and relevant ministers. The committee works closely with federal departments, agencies, and agencies such as Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Parks Canada to inform parliamentary oversight and public debate.

Mandate and Powers

The committee's mandate derives from the Standing Orders of the House of Commons of Canada and commonly includes review of legislation, pre-budget and statutory reviews, and departmental estimates relating to environmental policy. Its powers allow it to summon witnesses, request documents from entities including Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Crown corporations such as the Canada Revenue Agency when relevant, and to propose amendments to bills referred by the House. The committee initiates studies on topics such as greenhouse gas emissions, species at risk, and environmental assessment processes, interacting with federal statutes like the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Species at Risk Act, and the Impact Assessment Act during its work. It reports recommendations to the House, which may influence ministerial action by the Prime Minister of Canada and Cabinet portfolios including the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

History and Formation

The committee traces institutional origins to parliamentary practices in the 20th century, with formal establishment aligning with renewed legislative attention to conservation and pollution control during the 1970s. Over successive Parliaments, it has evolved alongside landmark Canadian developments such as the passage of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the ratification by Canada of international accords like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement (2015). Its history intersects with high-profile environmental episodes including the Walkerton water crisis, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill discussions influencing offshore regulation, and domestic controversies over pipeline projects such as those involving Trans Mountain Pipeline. Changes to its remit have occurred in response to federal reorganizations involving Environment and Climate Change Canada and the creation of specialized agencies like the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.

Membership and Leadership

Members are Members of Parliament from parties represented in the House of Commons of Canada and are appointed by party whips; membership reflects party proportions corresponding to the House. Chairs have included MPs from governing and opposition parties and are elected by committee members, with chairs playing a central role in agenda-setting and relations with ministers such as the Minister of Transport (Canada) when files overlap. Membership has featured prominent parliamentarians who have also served on other panels like the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. Witnesses and expert advisers brought before the committee have included leaders of institutions such as David Suzuki Foundation, academic figures from universities like the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto, and officials from Crown agencies including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

Activities and Reports

The committee conducts a range of activities: clause-by-clause examination of bills, special studies, travel study missions, and production of reports that contain recommendations directed to ministers and the House. It has reported on issues including carbon pricing frameworks, the effectiveness of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, plastic waste management, and restoration of ecosystems affected by incidents like the Exxon Valdez oil spill comparison studies. Reports often cite testimony from scientists affiliated with organizations such as the Canadian Environmental Network, representatives of Indigenous governing bodies including the Assembly of First Nations, and stakeholders from industry groups like the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Its findings have informed amendments to legislation and contributed to federal regulatory changes overseen by the Governor in Council.

Procedural Practices and Meetings

Meetings follow the Standing Orders of the House of Commons of Canada and customary committee practices: agendas are set by the chair and subcommittee on agenda and procedure, witnesses are invited from governmental departments, non-governmental organizations, and provincial ministries such as Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (British Columbia), and minutes and evidence are recorded and tabled in the House. The committee uses tools like study mandates, requests for federal documents, and correspondence with ministers and agencies to advance inquiries. It holds public hearings, in camera sessions for sensitive material, and sometimes undertakes study tours to sites including national parks like Banff National Park and remediation projects such as those on the Great Lakes shoreline.

Impact and Notable Inquiries

The committee's inquiries have shaped public policy and accountability in areas including climate policy, air quality standards, species protection, and contaminated sites remediation. Notable inquiries have examined responses to environmental emergencies such as the Walkerton water crisis, oversight of contaminated sites like the Tar Ponds in Nova Scotia, and the federal role in pipeline approvals referenced in debates over Northern Gateway and Energy East. Its recommendations have influenced federal responses to international obligations under instruments like the Convention on Biological Diversity and domestic statutes including the Fisheries Act. Through engagement with academic experts, Indigenous leadership, provincial ministers, and industry representatives, the committee continues to affect legislative refinement, regulatory practice, and public understanding of environmental and sustainable development issues.

Category:Parliamentary committees of Canada