Environment Committee on March 10th, 2021

[Ron Hallman]

In fact, we have national guidance and direction about local decision-making and innovations by local field unit staff working with the communities in which they operate. Of course Jasper and Banff have their own administration, whereas we also have five other Parks Canada administered townsites. But yes, through the operational staff and functional direction and headquarters, we are looking to be innovative and supportive of the tourism industry of the local communities and residents and to provide creative new ways through which our visitors can experience the park safely.

[Matt Jeneroux, Conservative, Edmonton Riverbend, AB]

That's good to hear.

Mr. Chair, I'm good to cede the rest of my time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

That's great. Thanks so much.

Mr. Saini.

[Raj Saini, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Actually, Mr. Baker will be going.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Baker.

[Yvan Baker, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

Thanks to our witnesses for being here today.

I'm going to start with you, deputy minister. If you want to delegate it you may, but I think this question is for you.

In the supplementary estimates, you've requested $9.2 million in additional funding to support the climate action incentive fund operations. Is the climate action incentive fund delivering on its objectives, and could you explain why you would say that?

[Christine Hogan]

I think it's fair to say to the honourable member that the climate action incentive fund is delivering on its mission and mandate as it was set out to do. As you know, it plays a key role in the government's objective to protect the environment and obviously as part of our climate plans. The dedicated funds that come through the climate action incentive fund are usually channelled to small and medium-sized businesses and to schools, areas in which it's very important that we see progress on climate emissions reduction technology adoption and other such initiatives.

[Yvan Baker, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, how much time do I have?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

You have about two and a half minutes.

[Yvan Baker, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Okay.

Thank you, Ms. Hogan.

I'll continue on this line of questioning. The funding that's requested in the supplementary estimates is to be used to return carbon pollution proceeds to jurisdictions of origin. That's the language that's used.

I want to keep in mind when I'm at these committees that my constituents in Etobicoke Centre, and the rest of Canadians, are watching. They may not be into the weeds on all the policies, but they're trying to understand what actions we're taking to fight climate change.

With that group of folks in mind, could you explain why these proceeds need to be returned and why this is important in that fight against climate change?

[Christine Hogan]

I'm going to refer the question to my colleague, Matt Jones, who is the assistant deputy minister responsible for the climate action incentive fund. I think he may be able to point to a couple of specific examples for you.

[Yvan Baker, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Okay. Thank you.

[Matt Jones, Assistant Deputy Minister, Pan-Canadian Framework Implementation Office, Department of the Environment]

I'm certainly happy to.

With regard to the climate action incentive fund, obviously the climate action incentive payments represent the bulk of the funds that move back to Canadians, and that's embedded in the legislation associated with the carbon pricing system.

A thin slice, about 10%, is moved back to small businesses and schools through this programming. We've made investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and improved heating and ventilation in schools, which had an unexpected but helpful co-benefit in the COVID era by improving air quality within schools and reducing emissions at the same time, so we feel good about the investments that we have been making. I think we have over 400 agreements with small businesses through the program.

[Yvan Baker, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Thank you.

Mr. Chair, do I have any time left?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

You have 30 seconds.

[Yvan Baker, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

That's fine. I'll leave it there. Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

May I take your time? I have a very quick question.

[Yvan Baker, Liberal, Etobicoke Centre, ON]

Please do.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I think it's for Ms. Blanchard.

I have a historic canal in my riding, Sainte-Anne's canal. I was approached by Mayor Paola Hawa regarding a renovation project to the jetty and to the canal that was begun in 2016. The project was going very well and then we had the flooding of 2017. Apparently, that caused some damage to the work that was being done, so extra money had to go into repairing damage from the flood.

As I understand it, the initial 2016 project has not been completed, but because supplementary work was required as a result of the flooding, as I understand it, the budget is exhausted. I am wondering if there are plans to finish the original project as planned in the near future.

I don't know if you can answer that for me, Ms. Blanchard.

[Ron Hallman]

Mr. Chair, with your permission, I'd like to refer that to Andrew Campbell, our senior VP of operations.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Of course. Absolutely, yes.

[Andrew Campbell, Senior Vice-President, Operations, Parks Canada Agency]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Along those lines, we certainly have it as one of our continued priority projects to look at. As I'm sure you're well aware, we did complete the front section of the jetty work, and we have a beautiful picnic area there that people have been using during the pandemic to get outside into nature and into the fresh air.

We look forward, when future funds become available, to being able to do the second part of that project.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

That's great. The mayor has told me that she is very pleased with the work so far. Thank you for keeping it on your radar.

Thank you to the witnesses. We had a very interesting discussion today.

Committee members, we need about five minutes to vote on the supplementary (C)s.

Again, thank you to the witnesses. Of course, you're free to stay to watch the vote if you'd like.

We have four votes: vote 1c, vote 5c and vote 10c under the Department of the Environment and vote 1c under Parks Canada Agency.

Shall vote 1c under the Department of the Environment carry?

[Matt Jeneroux, Conservative, Edmonton Riverbend, AB]

Mr. Chair, may I suggest that we group them all together and then just do them on division? We've done this in the past.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Sure.