Environment Committee on Nov. 5th, 2014

[Michael Martin]

It is Environment Canada that publishes, and has done so every year since 2011, the emissions outlook, which provides a very detailed analysis, based on our modelling framework, of the impacts of federal and provincial measures that are currently in place. The point of the analysis is to highlight, to show the expected outcome of those measures. Of course, we assume that governments, federal and provincial, will put in place additional measures in order to ensure that we continue to make progress to that goal, and we are continuing, of course, to do that work.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Her analysis basically leads to the conclusion that unless the oil and gas sector is reined in on GHG emissions, all other efforts on the part of any government, whether it's federal or provincial, will be more than offset.

In your tenure, I think it's since July, have you had any sit-down meetings directly with the oil and gas industry to negotiate their effort to meet the GHG targets of 2020?

[Michael Martin]

Mr. Chairman, I'd be reluctant to talk about my meetings with stakeholders, but I have been meeting, sir, with a wide variety of stakeholders to touch on all areas of the work of the department. Of course, we are continuing to work on both air pollution and greenhouse gas regulations for all emitting sectors.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

I was at an interesting meeting this afternoon with the electricity sector from Ontario. They told me that the GTA—I guess Ontario—has not had a smog day in about two years, which is an interesting development. I didn't know that. When I think back about it, I think it might actually be true. That is virtually entirely due to the fact that Ontario has moved away from coal as a source of energy.

What has that meant in terms of reducing GHG emissions for Canada?

[Michael Martin]

First of all, I don't know what.... I think you're right. I think air quality in the greater Toronto area is improving. I have heard that. I haven't seen the data on it.

Of course, we do monitor that, and as you may know, we have been working for more than five years now, in partnership with the provinces, on a new air quality management system to improve air quality across the entire country, both through specific airshed management and through a series of federal regulations that are now beginning to be rolled out. The first set of them were put out for public comment by the minister in June.

In terms of the impact of the shutdown of the coal-fired power plants, I honestly don't know. Of course, one would assume it is contributing to improved air quality. Part of the story in that airshed, as I understand it, is of course the transboundary effects. There are transboundary effects. There may be things going on in the U.S. that are also helping to improve....

I don't know if it's yet a trend, but it certainly appears to be positive. We will continue to pursue the implementation of the air quality management system with the provinces in order to keep that going.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Thank you, Mr. McKay.

Mr. Martin, thanks again for being with us today. We wish you the best in your new role as deputy minister of the environment.

[Michael Martin]

It is my privilege to appear before you whenever it suits you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Thank you.

We're going to have a short recess and reconvene in camera in 30 seconds.

[Proceedings continue in camera]