View from the Hill - 005
Special Wildcanada.net Report on the Opening of the 37th Parliament Sunday January 28, 2001

For more information contact Stephen Legault at wild@wildcanada.net or visit http://www.wildcanada.net

In this Issue: 

1. The 37th Parliament Opens Monday, January 29, 2001 2. Priorities for Canada's Conservation Community for this session of Parliament 3. Environment Critics for PC and NDP
4. Bush Administration targets Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

1. The 37th Parliament Opens Monday, January 29, 2001

In the category of coolest job title, we nominate "Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod." His role is to summon Members of Parliament to the Senate chamber for the opening of the 37th Parliament on Monday the 29th of January, 2001. The first order of business is to elect a Speaker of the House from the ranks of the MP's. The Speaker is responsible for maintaining order during debates, upholding parliamentary procedure, speaking for the House to the public, and for relations with the Crown. 

Following the election of the Speaker, the House will again convene in the Senate for the reading of the Speech from the Throne, read by the Governor General on Tuesday the 30th of January. Formally, this speech indicates the reason for "summoning" Parliament, and will lay out the course for the Liberal's third majority mandate. 

The Speech from the Throne is then debated, and the Prime Minister introduces a Bill pro forma (Bill C-1), which enables the House of Commons to debate and pass legislation. And then they are off; the first session of the 37th Parliament underway. 

If the ceremony of Parliament interests you, or to read the speech from the throne once it has been presented, visit the Parliamentary internet site at http://www.parl.gc.ca or watch the proceedings live at http://www.cpac.ca . 

2. Priorities for Canada's Conservation Community for this session of Parliament

Canada's conservation groups will be working on many important issues during the 1st session of this Parliament:

a) as Canada has no endangered species legislation after the Species at Risk Act died on the order paper on October 22, passing a strong, comprehensive act to protect Canada's 363 endangered and their critical habitat is a top priority for many groups. Follow this issue at http://www.wildcanada.net/endangered/endangered.html; 

b) reintroducing and passing the National Marine Conservation Areas Act, which also died on the order paper after committee hearings. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society calls the act flawed but a first step, and reports that they will push hard for this legislation. (For more info visit http://www.cpaws.org/chapters/bc.html and make your way to the CPAWS BC Chapter's home page for details.)

c) through the Green Budget Coalition, pressing for a major investment of $500 million for new national park creation and existing park maintenance. The Canadian Nature Federation reports that without this investment, Parks Canada will not be able to maintain their mandate. (Web link coming soon. Check http://www.cnf.ca from time to time.)

d) the creation of eight new national parks and four new marine conservation areas, including the Manitoba Lowlands National Park, the Southern Gulf Islands National Park (BC), Mealy Mountains (Labrador), Wolf Lake (Yukon) and an expansion of Nahanni National Park (NWT). Marine Parks might include one in Lake Superior and one in Lake Ontario. (for more info visit http://www.cnf.ca or http://www.cpaws.org)

e) the Softwood Lumber Agreement expires on March 31, 2001. This trade agreement could be a powerful tool for protecting Canada's forests and small market timber operations if Canada would agree to ensure environmental standards are part of the deal. Defenders of Wildlife's Canadian program is involved in this negotiation. (Further info can be obtained through one of their partners at http://ecosystem.org/projects_softwoodlumber.html) 

f) full implementation of the findings on the national panel on ecological integrity in Canada's national parks. The panel made extensive recommendations on how to better maintain ecological integrity in Canada's national parks. (for more info visit http://parkscanada.pch.gc.ca and click your way to the report on the panel for ecological integrity)

g) various organizations will be working on expected revisions to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. This Act has far-reaching potential to protect Canada's land, water and air, as well as human health, but the current act fails to live up many group's expectations. The Canadian Environmental Network's Environmental Assessment Caucus is coordinating the environmental community's response. (for more information visit http://www.cen-rce.org and select the environmental assessment caucus section) 

h) the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is continuing its effort to stop the seal hunt in Canada, and report that a review by an eminent persons panel will be available in the spring (for more information visit http://www.ifaw.org) 

i) There are also a host of other environmental issues that will emerge through the 1st session of this Parliament, including the possible signing of an international treaty on Persistent Organic Pollutants (http://wwfcanada.org), and continuing pressure to reduce pesticide use in Canada, following up on the House Standing Committee for Environment and Sustainable Development's report on pesticides. (for more info visit http://www.parl.gc.ca and click on committee business and find recent reports. The report is directly available at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/InfoComDoc/36/2/ENVI/Studies/Reports/envi01-e.html) 

j) In addition to legislative and policy initiatives, one of the highest profile campaigns that is ongoing for this session of Parliament is the effort to ensure Canada lives up to its international obligations to reduce green house gases. (For details on this campaign, and to send a free fax asking that Canada meet its obligations made at Kyoto, visit http://www.clickforcleanair.org)

3. PC and NDP name Environment Critics

The Progressive Conservative Party has asked MP John Herron (Fundy Royal) to return to his post as Environment Critic. Mr. Herron is a dedicated conservationist who has worked tirelessly on issues such as endangered species protection, pesticide reduction, and global warming. Wildcanada.net is very pleased to have Mr. Herron return to this post, as we feel he is among the best advocates for the environment on the Hill. Congratulate John, and offer him your thoughts by emailing him at Herron.J@parl.gc.ca 

The NDP have named rookie MP Joe Comartin (Windsor-Saint Clair ) to the environment post. After Comartin's election on November 27th, the Windsor Star Reported on December 19th, 2000: 

"Joe Comartin of the NDP made the environment the main focus of his third campaign for federal office. And after his election as the new MP for Windsor-St. Clair, Comartin announced he wants to be the party's environment critic in the House of Commons. 

A Windsorite is the perfect choice as either an advocate for the environment or as a critic of government policy -- and Comartin would be especially able in the job, given his abilities."

The NDP have stated that globalization and protecting the environment will be its two top priorities for the 1st session of the 37th Parliament.

We welcome Mr. Comartin to this critical portfolio, and expect to work closely with him through the 37th Parliament. Mr. Comartin can be reached at Comartin.J@parl.gc.ca


4. Bush Administration targets Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Making good on promises to roll back progress made during the last days of the Clinton Administration, President George W. Bush moved quickly once taking office last week to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration and development. The Refuge is home to the world's largest caribou herd, which migrates between Canada's Yukon, where it is protected by two National Parks, and its calving grounds in Alaska. Drilling in the refuge could have devastating impacts on the Porcupine Caribou Herd, and the native people who rely on them for physical and spiritual values. 

To take action on this issue today, visit http://www.defenders.org.

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