Bill C-647: An Act to expand the object of the federal regional development agencies

C-647 Second Session, Forty-first Parliament, 62-63 Elizabeth II, 2013-2014 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-647 An Act to expand the object of the federal regional development agencies first reading, December 11, 2014 Mr. Larose 412234 SUMMARY This enactment expands the object of the federal regional development agencies to include the promotion of sustainable development, environmental protection and the promotion of social and cultural affairs that are within the legislative authority of Parliament. Available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca 2nd Session, 41st Parliament, 62-63 Elizabeth II, 2013-2014 house of commons of canada BILL C-647 An Act to expand the object of the federal regional development agencies Her Majesty, by and with and advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: SHORT TITLE Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Expanding the Object of Federal Regional Development Agencies Act. FEDERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR SOUTHERN ONTARIO Object 2. The Minister of Industry shall review the object of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario with a view to adding the following elements: (a) the promotion of sustainable development; (b) environmental protection; and (c) the promotion of the social and cultural affairs that are within the legislative authority of Parliament. Fulfillment of object 3. The Minister must ensure that the object of the Agency is fulfilled by working with the communities, municipalities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations of Southern Ontario. CANADIAN NORTHERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY Object 4. The Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency shall review its object with a view to adding the following elements: (a) the promotion of sustainable development; (b) environmental protection; and (c) the promotion of the social and cultural affairs that are within the legislative authority of Parliament. Fulfillment of object 5. The Minister must ensure that the object of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency is fulfilled by working with the communities, municipalities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations of Northern Canada. 2005, c. 26 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF CANADA FOR THE REGIONS OF QUEBEC ACT 6. Subsection 10(1) of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Act is replaced by the following: Object 10. (1) The object of the Agency is to work with the communities, municipalities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations of Quebec in order to (a) promote the long-term economic development of the regions of Quebec by giving special attention to those where slow economic growth is prevalent or where opportunities for productive employment are inadequate; (b) promote sustainable development; (c) encourage environmental protection; and (d) promote the social and cultural affairs that are within the legislative authority of Parliament. 7. Paragraph 11(b) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” after subparagraph (iii), and by adding the following after subparagraph (iv): (v) to sustainable development and environmental protection in Quebec, and (vi) to the social and cultural affairs of the regions of Quebec; R.S., c. 41 (4th Supp.), Part I ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY ACT 8. Section 12 of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act is replaced by the following: Object 12. The object of the Agency is to work with the communities, municipalities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations of Atlantic Canada in order to (a) support and promote opportunity for economic development of Atlantic Canada, with particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises, through policy, program and project development and implementation and through advocacy of the interests of Atlantic Canada in national economic policy, program and project development and implementation; (b) promote sustainable development; (c) encourage environmental protection; and (d) promote the social and cultural affairs that are within the legislative authority of Parliament. 9. Paragraph 13(b) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” after subparagraph (ii), and by adding the following after sub-paragraph (iii): (iv) sustainable development and environmental protection in Atlantic Canada, and (v) the social and cultural affairs of that region that are within the legislative authority of Parliament; R.S., c. 11 (4th Supp.) WESTERN ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION ACT 10. Paragraph 5(2)(b) of the Western Economic Diversification Act is replaced by the following: (b) lead and coordinate the efforts of the Government of Canada to establish cooperative relationships with the provinces constituting Western Canada, and with business, labour, not-for-profit and other public and private organizations, for the development and diversification of the economy of West-ern Canada; 11. Subsection 5(2) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” after paragraph (b), by adding “and” after paragraph (c) and by adding the following after paragraph (c): (d) lead and coordinate the efforts of the Government of Canada with respect to sustainable development and environmental protection in Western Canada; (e) promote the social and cultural affairs of Western Canada that are within the legislative authority of Parliament; and (f) exercise his or her powers and perform his or her duties and functions by working with the communities, municipalities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations of Western Canada. Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons