Environment Committee on March 22nd, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Mills]

Thank you very much, Mr. Minister. I should have warned you that I have a little grey box here for timing. You were 11 minutes and 11 seconds. We'll try to keep on time as much as we can.

We'll go directly to Mr. McGuinty for 10 minutes.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Thanks very much, Mr. Chair. Ten minutes: keep me on track.

Thank you very much, Minister, for coming. Again, apologies for the opening, but it is an important matter of democratic principle that we were discussing.

Minister, I think I heard you say this in your opening remarks; maybe I didn't catch it. I think you have the answers to this, and I congratulate you in advance if you do. For Canadians who are watching, could you let us know how much money your department spent in 2006-07, ending on March 31?

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Well, it's not March 31, so we haven't spent it all.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Well, roughly.

So you're here to talk about last year's economics. Can you tell us? Can you give us the estimate?

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

We're here to discuss supplements (B). I assume last year's numbers will be discussed with the DPR and the public accounts, which are published at the end of the initiative, in 2006-07.

I think Environment Canada has received about $25 million with respect to climate change. This is part of the $3.336 billion we'll spend on the climate change and clean air files, something that I think is crucially important.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

I'm sorry, the total budget number again for the year is what?

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

For Environment Canada specifically?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Yes.

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

With respect to programs, it's about $25 million. With respect to—

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

The entire department's budget is $25 million?

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

No, that's on climate change. The entire department's budget can't be confirmed until supplementary estimates (B) is passed, because obviously Parliament hasn't authorized that funding. You're asking me to predict what the House of Commons will do in the coming week or two.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Thank you very much. That's very helpful.

Minister, I want to go to what I call a number of clarity questions for Canadians.

You mentioned you were in Potsdam last week. At the time you stated that Canada has a plan for climate change. You said that Canada wants to join international talks on measures that go beyond Kyoto. Can you help us by letting us know what plan you tabled in Potsdam for the G8+5 meeting? What did you put forward as Canada's plan for climate change?

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

No country tabled plans with respect to climate change. What I did outline was a comprehensive strategy to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce pollutants in our air. What I talked about was a major industrial initiative that would deal with just under 50% of the emissions that we generate in this country from greenhouse gas. I talked to them about the significant reductions we would see across industry with our plan to regulate. I spoke at great length about our notice of intent to regulate and the significant amount of consultations we've had with environmental groups, with industry, and with our provincial counterparts on greenhouse gas emissions. I was able to speak about other aspects of the plan that had been or would be announced with respect to transportation, vehicle fuel efficiency, renewables, and energy efficiency. I spoke to them—

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Mr. Minister, thank you.

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Well, you asked me a question, and I'd like to answer it.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

But in the interests of time, you need to be fair. Be fair. We have 10 minutes here.

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

You asked me about our comprehensive plan.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

It's my time to ask the questions. Thanks very much.

I want to know, in all the elements you put forward, then, you simply describe them to your G8+5 counterparts as elements of a potential plan coming forward. Is that right?

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

No.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

So you didn't table a plan, but yet you said here, and I quote you: “Canada has a plan for climate change, and we want to join international talks on measures that go beyond Kyoto.”

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Yes. Well, I didn't answer the first question you asked.

What I said was that Canada has a comprehensive plan and that many initiatives have been fully put forward. On other initiatives, a significant amount has been put forward, and we're following additional efforts.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

Okay, that's not been an issue. This country did not table a plan at the G8+5. Is that right?

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

No country did.

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Ottawa South, ON]

I understand that, but this country did not table a plan?

[John Baird, Conservative, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

At the G8?