Consultations In Progress

Meeting with Samy Watson, Deputy Minister, Environment Canada
Report Back - ENGO Forum on Design of the Framework for EC’s Sector Sustainability Tables

January 18, 2005 12:15 p.m to 2:00 p.m

Who was present: Steve Rison, André Belisle, Marlo Raynolds, Michael Simpson, Jean Arnold, Geneva Guerin, Brigitte Gagné for CEN.

Samy Watson, Natalie Bossé, Cynthia Wright, Mike Wilson, Tom Richardson and Barry Stemshorn for EC.

Process:

• Presented the previous day's work of the CEN delegates.
• Presented the scope of CEN membership.
• Presented the Power Point that you can find on the CEN's web site.
• Accepted questions of clarification.
• Engaged in discussion.

General overall impressions from the CEN's representatives:

• Very positive reception of the presentation.
• Agreement with the intent of the "pre-conditions" but Kyoto and budget are not under Watson's control.
• We will see by the end of February the political support for the environment.
• Mr Watson generally agreed with our recommendations.

SSTs

• The design of the tables will need to be done in preparation for the implementation of the Tables themselves.
• People who will participate in the design might differ from the ones that will be involved in the Tables themselves.
• Mr Watson is anxious to begin the SSTs as early as the end of March.
• Selection for participation in table design should begin soon. It will be done by CEN.
• Environment Canada intends not to chair the Tables. They see themselves as facilitator in this process.
• Example: the Forestry Sector Table will be chaired by George Anderson from NRCAN.
• Action is the goal of the tables as opposed to endless talking.
• Agreement to begin the work by mapping out curent domestic and international commitments.
• Process design will require many meetings at the front end. Will require significant commitment of time.
• Working groups will require more time than the Tables.
• Approximately 4 working groups per table of about 4 to 6 Tables.
• Tables will meet about twice a year and the working groups will meet 3 to 4 times a year, plus conference calls, emails, etc.
• Agreement that objectives and targets are defined by the government and that the SSTs are about "how" to achieve these targets.

Budget:

• Key component of the federal budget developed by EC with Treasury Board.
• Commitments to be given to Kyoto, Biodiversity, Greening the Governement and Taxes Reform.
• The SSTs will go ahead regardless of the budget outcome.
• Expecting a significant commitment for the environment in the coming budget and see EC as a coordinator of the disbursement of this money.
• Tables are associated with it.

Role of EC inside of the Government:

• Mr Watson expressed that the key aspect of the SSTs is to increase the structural alignment within EC and beyond.
• With clear guidelines, EC wants to be the administrator of the environmental work of the Federal Government.
• EC wants to see coordination of environmental research and science throughout the government.

ENGO resources:

• Mr Watson asked for guidance in resourcing the ENGOs.
• Participation and research, coordination, capacity building, mentoring, education and public outreach have been presented as important needs.
• However, the SSTs process is not developed enough for ENGOs to go further in terms of resource expectations.

Mr Watson committed to explore 2 specific aspects:

• Resourcing the ENGOs.
• Receiving recommendations in setting objectives and agendas for the Tables and Working Groups.

Follow-up and next steps:

• Mr Watson wants to take the Power Point Document to Privy Council.
• A gathering of 4 to 7 Deputy Ministers will take place beginning of February.
• Mr Watson invited 2 CEN representatives to attend a dinner between him, other deputy ministers and the Clerk of the Privy Council.

For more information on the role of the Privy Council, please visit the Privy Council Web page.

The goal of this meeting, confirmed to be February 7th, is to discuss the government's support for the SSTs.

It will give to the representatives a better sense of cross-sectoral political will around this process.

Marlo Reynolds and Brigitte Gagné will attend on behalf of CEN.