Environment Committee on June 4th, 2013

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

The selection and nomination is being addressed now for that vacancy. The work of the IJC has not in any way.... I've met with the IJC—

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

When will it be filled, please?

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

In the fullness of time. We're addressing it now. The nomination process doesn't happen immediately.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

In the budget, the lower Great Lakes levels—

[An hon. member]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

There's a point of order. Who's raising it?

Mr. Storseth.

[Brian Storseth, Conservative, Westlock—St. Paul, AB]

Mr. Chair, the minister is trying to answer Ms. Duncan's questions. If she'd just give him another 10 seconds.... I'm actually interested in the answers to some of her questions.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Thank you, Mr. Storseth.

Ms. Duncan.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Thank you.

The minister was good enough to answer my question. There is a vacancy.

In the budget, the lower levels of the Great Lakes is mentioned. I'm wondering if you could table with the committee what solutions the government is considering, if they can be tabled. When will the government act?

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

First of all, if you read the IJC report, you'll see there are no easy solutions to the record levels that we have seen in some of the Great Lakes. There is some discussion of examining again the possibility of creating flow retardants in the St. Clair River. That has been examined in the past; we will look at it again. The problem is one of nature. Part of it can be attributed to climate change and warmer winters with no ice cover, very heavy evaporation, as much as 30% in some winters.

There's also the matter of what is called glacial isostatic adjustment. That is negatively affecting the economy, the tax base, and certainly the quality of life for folks living, for example, on the north side of Georgian Bay.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Minister, I have only a few seconds left.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

I'm describing the actions—

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

What I asked was whether you could table the solutions, which you've kindly agreed to do. We understand some of the causes. What I asked was when the government would act. Perhaps you could table that.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Well, if I could just say, we have responded. We are considering the recommendations of the IJC, but as I said, there are no snap solutions to this problem.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

I understand that.

I'm sure you're aware of the statements of the Minister of Natural Resources casting doubt about climate change, the 2° Celsius. The World Economic Forum ranks climate change as the third biggest concern overall, and failure to adapt to climate change is the biggest single environmental hazard facing the planet.

When the government is looking at environmental policy and adapting to climate change, whose advice does the Prime Minister rely on, yours or the Minister of Natural Resources'?

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Okay. We're going to have to cut it off. We're a little over time. Maybe you can weave your answer back into it. We have five-minute rounds now, so maybe you can address it later.

We're moving to Madame Quach.

[Anne Minh-Thu Quach, NDP, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister, for being here with us this morning.

You talked a lot about the environmental footprint. In fact, chapter 4 discusses little else. However, a recent report indicates that in 2011, one additional megatonne of GHG was emitted into the atmosphere, as compared to 2010 levels. You know very well that the previous Commissioner of the Environment and the report of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy both expressed serious doubts regarding the reduction of emissions and attaining the objectives by 2020.

In addition, the Canadian hydrocarbon industry intends to develop 14 new coal, gas and oil extraction projects over the next few years. Between now and 2020, they would produce a quantity of CO2 emissions equivalent of that of the United States. We are talking about 300 billion tonnes of new emissions from now until 2050. The oil sands will emit up to 420 million tonnes of greenhouse gases a year, and there is still no regulation, sector by sector, in this area, regarding GHG.

Last May 16, on its website, the World Bank talked about the importance of setting a price on carbon to fight climate change. Moreover, with all due respect, the provinces are the ones that have made all of the efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. Quebec and California have set up a carbon exchange.

Regarding greenhouse gases, I want to know, sector by sector, on what science your approach is based, and what are the costs involved.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

We don't have nearly the time today to address the breadth of subjects that you've discussed—

[Anne Minh-Thu Quach, NDP, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

You have been working on this sectoral plan for a long time.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

First of all, just let me say that the regulations are science-based. Environment Canada is very much a science-sourced department.

[Anne Minh-Thu Quach, NDP, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

Do you have an approach that allows you to compare your sectoral plan with the carbon exchange?

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair.

If I may, I find it impossible to listen to the minister's evidence when the member questioning him keeps interrupting his answers. I would ask the chair to direct the member to allow the witness to answer the questions before she interrupts him, please.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Okay. Madame Quach.

[Anne Minh-Thu Quach, NDP, Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC]

I was wondering if you have an approach that allows you to compare you sectoral plan to the carbon exchange. They have one in Quebec and California, among other places.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

First of all, as I've said any number of times in the House, and as the Prime Minister has said, we have no intention of imposing a carbon tax.

We respect those provinces which have created carbon pricing of different sorts—