Evidence of meeting #6 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was money.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
I'm going to stay on the same line, and maybe get a clarification from Mr. Moffet. It also builds on Mr. Aitchison's comments around low-income Canadians and the impact of the price on pollution on them.
Last weekend I was at a free tax clinic at one of the locations in Guelph, Holy Rosary parish. My parish was hosting a volunteer tax clinic for people who make under $35,000. The money they receive annually isn't a cheque other than it comes through the CRA, through their tax return. It is important, particularly for low-income Canadians, to do tax returns because where they didn't used to get money back from the government because they weren't paying taxes, now in this case they do get money back because they're participating in the economy.
We've recently announced this incentive and it's gone up again this year. It's going to go up in future years.
Could you comment on how this incentive can help low-income Canadians and our fight against poverty?
The money comes through the CRA and tax returns, so it's important for people to file tax returns because part of this climate action incentive program, which is $109,147,502 in the supplementary estimates, is flowing to all Canadians, including low-income Canadians.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Protection Branch, Department of the Environment
It's absolutely important for all households, all individuals, to file returns. While I can't speak to the details, the Canada Revenue Agency has an active outreach program particularly focused on low-income individuals, indigenous people and others who may not traditionally have filed. Considerable outreach is under way, and it's associated, of course, not just with the climate action incentive payments, but also with other kinds of fiscal reimbursements such as the family benefits, GST rebate and so on, again, which can only be accessed through filing an income tax return.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
My first question is for the Environment and Climate Change Canada officials.
The supplementary estimates seek an additional $4.37 million in grants and contributions.
Can you tell us what that money was used for and how? Can you also provide some examples?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services and Finance Branch, Department of the Environment
Would you mind repeating the amount, please? Where in the supplementary estimates is it?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services and Finance Branch, Department of the Environment
All right.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
An additional $4.37 million in grants and contributions was requested.
This brings Environment and Climate Change Canada's total proposed authorities for grants and contributions to $791 million.
What initiatives is that money being put towards?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services and Finance Branch, Department of the Environment
The money coming through supplementary estimates in Gs and Cs is focused on the TMX and plastics.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Just for clarification, Madam Pauzé is asking you about the $4-million adjustment.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services and Finance Branch, Department of the Environment
Thank you for the question.
The $4 million in the grants and contributions in the supplementary estimates is mainly for the Trans Mountain pipeline and plastics. Those are the two items in there.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
The interpreter is telling me that they missed the second item. Trans Mountain is one, but what is the other?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services and Finance Branch, Department of the Environment
The plastics reduction program.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Very good. Thank you.
My next question is for the Parks Canada officials.
Expanding protected areas is also very good for the environment. Was any additional funding allocated to expanding protected areas?
Annie Boyer Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Resources Management Branch, Parks Canada Agency
Thank you for your question.
In supplementary estimates (B), we earmarked $12.9 million for a vote transfer to create national parks and develop capital infrastructure for the future.
The idea is to make sure we are able to protect the money to invest in capital infrastructure for the creation of new national parks.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
I'd like to come back to the election promise to plant millions of trees.
At Parks Canada, do you know who's going to be in charge of that? Will it be environmental groups? Local groups across the country? They may be willing to work on the initiative.
How are you going to proceed?
Darlene Upton Vice-President, Protected Areas Establishment and Conservation, Parks Canada Agency
Parks Canada is not the lead for that program. However, we're working with our colleagues at NRCan and Environment who play a role. We will be determining what contribution Parks Canada can make in terms of planting.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Protection Branch, Department of the Environment
The Department of Natural Resources and, primarily, the Canadian Forest Service, will be leading the program.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
In the supplementary estimates, funding has been set aside for youth. Is there a connection with tree planting?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services and Finance Branch, Department of the Environment
The money in the supplementary estimates for youth is through the employment program. It's not tied to the tree-planting initiative.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Protection Branch, Department of the Environment
It's related to science.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
My next question is for the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada officials.
The agency requested a transfer of $2 million to the Department of the Environment to reduce operating pressures on the department.
Could you tell me what exactly "operating pressures" refers to?