Evidence of meeting #7 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was vehicles.
A video is available from Parliament.
Analyst, The Pembina Institute
Absolutely, we always encourage strong research and exploring every opportunity to reduce greenhouse gases in Canada.
Liberal
Yvan Baker Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
I have another question for Mr. Smith, and if I have time, I have a question for Ms. Goldberg.
Mr. Smith, in your opinion, are any countries leading the way when it comes to legislation that encourages a transition to zero-emission vehicles?
Analyst, The Pembina Institute
I would say outside of Canada one jurisdiction that we always refer to when we're looking at best practices when it comes to ZEVs is California within the United States.
Analyst, The Pembina Institute
California has often been a leader when it comes to a lot of these different zero-emission vehicle programs. An example is that California has had some type of ZEV standard in some form in place since 1990. They also are significantly ahead when it comes to electrification of heavy-duty trucks through their incentive program for that class of vehicle. I forget the name right now.
Liberal
Yvan Baker Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
My next next question is for Ms. Goldberg.
I'm just wondering if you could opine on an issue. It's a similar question to what I asked Mr. Smith, but in the context of what you are talking about. Are there countries or jurisdictions that you feel are further ahead of others in the context of the things that you were recommending?
Director of Public Policy, Canada, ChargePoint
Not to pick on California again, but California, as Mr. Smith has mentioned, has been a real pioneer since the nineties, and Norway as well. They've taken a different approach where they've included a lot of tax credits and subsidies. That approach works in that environment and that culture. I think in California it's a little more analogous to Canada. What they've done is that they've looked at supply and demand and really understood that we are transitioning from a 100 years of fuelling, manufacturing and using vehicles, and that we need a comprehensive suite of policies. In addition to what Mr. Smith mentioned, they are leading on measurement in terms of being the first state to adopt the guidelines set by the federal department in the U.S.
The other thing I'll point out is that the utilities in California have been actively engaged, and they've worked with the regulator to make critical investments to help leverage private capital to support infrastructure deployment across the state. The last thing I'll say is that we always talk about California, but I will acknowledge that there are about 45 states in the U.S. that have some form, either through their utility or through their state, of either incentive or regulation. Mr. Smith mentioned supply-side policies. As a mandate on the consumer vehicle side, there is also the clean truck rule, which is a similar supply-side mechanism for trucks, and that is aiming towards having 100% zero-emission vehicles in 2045. I will note that there are about 15 other states that have signed on to both of those policies. It's not just California, but they are the leader.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Thank you.
I want to thank the witnesses.
I think that we learned a great deal from their presentations today. I want to thank them for being here to provide information on this important issue.
My fellow committee members, we'll be holding our final meeting for this study on Wednesday. On Monday, we'll discuss the report with the analysts and address future business, including Ms. Collins' study.
On December 2, the minister will meet with us for one hour, regardless of what time we start the meeting. This means that, if there are votes and if we start later than the scheduled time, he will still appear for one hour. The meeting will focus on the estimates and supplementary estimates (B).
That's what lies ahead next week.
Are there any questions?
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
I thought that the minister was mainly coming to speak about plastics regulations.
Did I misunderstand?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
There will be a study on plastics. It's Mr. Jeneroux's study, I believe. I don't know whether the minister is scheduled to come to the committee for that study.
On December 2, the meeting will focus on estimates.
Mr. Albas, the floor is yours.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have just a quick question. We're meeting with the minister on the supplementary estimates. Is that right?
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Okay. Could you just make sure that the deputy minister is there? I would like to ask questions to him in his capacity as an accounting officer.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
My understanding is that although the minister will be with us for one hour, the officials will stay for longer. I imagine the deputy minister will be there, but it's been noted.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Perhaps you can make sure that will happen. Obviously the deputy minister has important things, but if the minister can make time for this committee, I'm sure the deputy can.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Of course.
There being no further questions or issues, I thank you all. Thank you to the witnesses.
We'll see you on Wednesday for our last meeting on this study.