Evidence of meeting #59 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was plan.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:50 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environment Stewardship Branch, Department of the Environment
Could you repeat your question? I'm sorry, someone gave me a paper and I was distracted.
4:55 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
During the presentation and following a question, Mr. Beale consulted a graph and showed it. From where I am sitting, I could see that this was a graph. Would it be possible to table this graph?
4:55 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environment Stewardship Branch, Department of the Environment
We could table a version of this graph for information purposes.
4:55 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environment Stewardship Branch, Department of the Environment
No.
It has just been confirmed to me that the economic analysis is legally protected. This is a legal measure. I am sorry for having misled committee members. This was done inadvertently, I had the wrong information.
So I apologize. It seems I had wrong information. The economic analysis that was provided for government to make its decision is legally protected. It's not a policy decision.
4:55 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Mr. Brown, were you consulted about the government's advertising campaign regarding the plan?
4:55 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Policy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
Was I personally consulted, or was Natural Resources Canada consulted?
4:55 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Policy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
Yes, I believe our communications people were consulted. That's my understanding.
4:55 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Was this produced by your department, Ms. Cléroux? Were you consulted about the advertising campaign, or were external consultants responsible for this?
4:55 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environment Stewardship Branch, Department of the Environment
As far as the implementation is concerned, this was done with outside consultants. However, this project was undertaken by Environment Canada and all of the departments directly concerned, because the regulatory framework is not limited to Environment Canada and measures contained in our own legislation, but also measures in legislation pertaining to other departments associated with our current job.
4:55 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Mr. Brown, in the table on page 18 tabled by Environment Canada, where is your eco-energy program shown?
4:55 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Policy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
I don't think it does in this chart. This chart refers purely to the regulatory program.
4:55 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
All right. In the table on the oil companies, refineries, oil and gas, do you have any statistics regarding the contribution made by Alberta's current methane production?
4:55 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Policy Sector, Department of Natural Resources
I'm not sure I understand the question.
4:55 p.m.
Bloc
Marcel Lussier Bloc Brossard—La Prairie, QC
Do the tables for greenhouse gas reduction include Alberta's methane producers?
4:55 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environment Stewardship Branch, Department of the Environment
Methane is often one of the fugitive measures for these sectors. All intentional fugitive emissions are included in the forecasts and will be covered by regulatory measures.
4:55 p.m.
Bloc
4:55 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environment Stewardship Branch, Department of the Environment
Methane is deemed to be one of the six greenhouse gases that will be regulated. That is why, according to our estimates and data, methane producers will be included.
May 16th, 2007 / 4:55 p.m.
NDP
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I just wanted to start off in terms of the questions about data collection. We've had different propositions at different times as to when our baseline data should start. What is the data that we presently have on record for greenhouse gas emissions? In other words, how far back can we go? Where is that available in terms of a report?
4:55 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environment Stewardship Branch, Department of the Environment
The detailed information that we have on greenhouse gases goes back to 2004. So we have 2004, and soon we'll have 2005 available. The decision of government has been to use the 2006 baseline.
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
But in my understanding, we have requirements and obligations going back to 1990 in terms of what our greenhouse gas emissions have been in terms of the national inventory report.
