Environment Committee on May 26th, 2015

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

—in a sector-by-sector approach. We took the approach to make sure that when we move forward in the transportation sector, as an example, we ensure that we don't affect the economy in a negative way. In the transportation sector it's very important to align our regulations with the United States so that we can protect the jobs in Ontario, as an example.

In the area of the oil and gas sector, we're working with the industry in moving forward on methane regulations for the oil and gas sector. We've also been very clear that in areas of integrated industry, we have to integrate with our closest trading partner to ensure that we protect the jobs. We're working in the environment, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, it's also important to protect the jobs in Canada.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Sure, and no one's refuting that. You're the Minister of the Environment and I'm the opposition critic. You say, here is what we're going to do, and I say that I don't see a plan.

Now's your opportunity: what is that plan? We have 15 years. In each sector, how are we going to achieve those greenhouse gas reductions?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

In the sector-by-sector approach, we are moving in three new areas. We're investing in clean technology. I've also said that the provinces and the territories also have a role in their levers of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We all have a collective role to do this. It's in partnership with industry, provinces, and the territories. Our contribution in our sector-by-sector approach is there.

I mentioned that—

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Are you able to put numbers to the sectors?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

The sector-by-sector approach is our footprint of greenhouse gas emissions. You have to also remember that Canada has one of the cleanest electricity sectors in the world.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

So that's a no.

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

Based on our footprints, we are taking a sector-by-sector approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We've moved on the two largest emissions in the areas of transportation and coal. Now we're moving in the fertilizer sector, on methane and so on, as I announced a couple of weeks ago.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

In my last 30 seconds, I'll move on to weather and environment services for targeted users. I have the main estimates in front of me here, and for 2014-15 we had about $25 million. This year it's $15 million. That's a 60% reduction.

What programs will be cut at Environment Canada with regard to weather and environment services for targeted users?

[Carol Najm, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer, Finance Branch, Department of the Environment]

The change in meteorological services is with respect to programs for the Arctic that are sunsetting. That will be renewed through future supplementary estimates. It's a timing difference between the expenditures to date versus the main estimates number we have to date.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

They will be renewed...?

[Carol Najm]

They will be going forward for renewal.

[Megan Leslie, NDP, Halifax, NS]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

We'll move now to Mrs. Ambler for five minutes, please.

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister and team, for being here today to speak to the environment committee.

Just last week I had the pleasure of helping to announce a Government of Canada initiative partnering with a cement company in my riding as well as a conservation authority with regard to migratory birds on Lake Ontario—the habitat stewardship program for species at risk. I wanted to thank you for making that a priority. I would say that unlike other governments, this government has taken a leadership role in the area of species at risk.

I'm wondering if you could tell us a bit more about that.

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

Thank you for that.

Our government, as I mentioned, is committed to protecting the rich biodiversity as seen in our launch of the national conservation plan. The 2012 budget allocated $50 million over two years to protect species at risk in Canada. Economic action plan 2014 announced that the government will continue to support species at risk with $75 million in investments over three years. Many of the on-the-ground actions, such as the one you just mentioned, are funded through the habitat stewardship program. They are under way throughout different regions of Canada.

Additional funding of over $5.5 million for the habitat stewardship program is available through the conservation plan. Furthermore, last year I hosted a round table with industry, landowners, environmental organizations, and aboriginal groups to get their feedback on species at risk and how we can work in partnership with a number of landowners throughout Canada in achieving the objectives of the habitat stewardship program. I also hosted a meeting of provincial and territorial ministers here in Ottawa on how we can better work together in dealing with stewardship initiatives throughout the country when we're dealing with species that see no borders.

Thank you.

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Thank you.

Minister, I was wondering if you could also tell us a bit about the federal contaminated sites action plan and the increase of $3.9 million to remediate and assess contaminated sites that is in the main estimates. My home is located on a formerly contaminated site. It was the old Texaco tank lands in Mississauga. That's where my interest in that line item comes from. Can you explain what these contaminated sites are and what the government has been doing to address them?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

Thank you for that question.

Our government is committed to protecting the environment. That's why we're investing $4.23 billion to clean up federal contaminated sites. As of March, 2014, $2.1 billion has been spent on the remediation at more than 1,500 sites. We've also assessed more than 10,200 sites, and that has created 11,000 person-year jobs. Budget 2015 renews the government's support for the federal contaminated sites action plan by proposing an additional $99.6 million over four years. These investments are reducing the risk to human health and improving the environment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

Did you want to verify...? Do you have a question?

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

You said $2 million and $3.9 million, is that right?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

The numbers were--

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Can you repeat the numbers, please, the dollar amounts?

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

The investments.... March, 2014, $2.1 billion had been spent on remediation of 1,500 sites.

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Okay.

[Leona Aglukkaq, Conservative, Nunavut, NU]

That's the actual figure for cleaning up federal contaminated sites.

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Thank you.

On a sort of a semi-related topic, part of the national conservation plan was one of the items this committee studied when I first joined it. Obviously, the urban component is a big part of it, which I appreciate, and it includes the Rouge National Urban Park, Canada's first-ever national urban park. My riding is obviously very close to there. Can you please update this committee on the establishment process for the Rouge National Urban Park and tell us a bit about the benefits to the local communities in the 905 area and to greater southern Ontario?