Evidence of meeting #9 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 trees.
A video is available from Parliament.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
That is understood.
We'll go to Mr. Schiefke now for five minutes.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
My question is for the Parks Canada Agency witnesses.
Our country's national parks and national historic sites significantly contribute to the protection of Canada's natural and cultural heritage. They are also a key aspect of the tourism industry, as they support the local economies of hundreds of communities across Canada.
What is the economic impact of Parks Canada activities across the country?
5:20 p.m.
Andrew Campbell Senior Vice-President, Operations, Parks Canada Agency
That is an excellent question, Mr. Parliamentary Secretary. I will let Michael Nadler answer it.
5:20 p.m.
Michael Nadler Vice-President, External Relations and Visitor Experience, Parks Canada Agency
Thank you very much for the question.
The economic impact is in fact impressive. As you noted, our national parks and historic sites are located close to a number of communities across Canada. Even during this difficult period related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have done our best to work closely with the tourism industry to support this important sector of our economy.
Overall, the impact on Canada's gross domestic product, or GDP, is $4.1 billion a year, but that amount is distributed across a number of the country's regions.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
What is Parks Canada Agency doing to continue its operations and support local economies, despite the numerous challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic?
5:25 p.m.
Vice-President, External Relations and Visitor Experience, Parks Canada Agency
Once again, that is a good question.
The spring was obviously difficult. Parks Canada Agency made an unprecedented decision to close its sites to visitors. In May, we planned and announced a resumption of our activities. On June 1, we reopened our sites to the public. Little by little, we increased the services provided to visitors in a number of locations across Canada.
We had two objectives.
First, we wanted to ensure to protect the health of our team and Canadians, but also the health of nearby communities.
Second, we wanted to make sure to be there for Canadians, so that they could benefit from having access to the parks and the well-being stemming from our sites. We also wanted to work with communities and businesses that depend on us for their success. We have done our best to work closely with our colleagues and partners.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Along the same lines, I would be interested in learning more about Parks Canada's role in relation to the mountain pine beetle, which is something I've been very interested in for quite some time, and its impact on the forestry sector and forests in general. How does Parks Canada work to mitigate the impacts of the mountain pine beetle in Canada?
5:25 p.m.
Darlene Upton Vice-President, Protected Areas Establishment and Conservation, Parks Canada Agency
Hi, everyone. Thanks very much for the question. It's Darlene Upton with Parks Canada.
Parks Canada remains committed to the management of the mountain pine beetle. We're working closely with the Government of Alberta, Natural Resources Canada, multiple governments and stakeholders. This past October 2020, Parks Canada participated in a horizontal initiative for protecting forests and communities from the spread of the mountain pine beetle. We have $2.1 million this year, but over three years we'll have $6.9 million to focus efforts on management of the mountain pine beetle and its impacts.
Specifically, we're working in partnership with the Municipality of Jasper on expanding a FireSmart program. We've established contracts alongside some Parks Canada partners on some hazardous tree removal. We're looking at collaboration with the Jasper Indigenous Forum for further actions that will take into account the mitigation of fire risk caused by the beetle, and we'll continue over three years on that.
5:25 p.m.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I don't know who could answer the following question.
According to the document provided by the Library of Parliament, vote 1b includes a horizontal item of $500,000 for “government advertising programs”. I would like to get some details on that.
Are we talking about an information campaign?
Since I have only two and a half minutes and I have another question, I would ask that you keep your answer brief.
5:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services and Finance Branch, Department of the Environment
Yes, I can answer.
That money is part of a horizontal initiative advertising campaign. The money will be used to advertise the nature legacy fund involving awareness and consultation.
5:25 p.m.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
Thank you for your brief answer. If you have a plan or more details, I would appreciate you sending them to the committee members.
I would now like to come back to the low carbon economy leadership fund. We are seeing that public funds of over $1.5 billion that were intended for various files will be redirected toward Alberta for the methane file and orphan wells.
It's a good idea to take care of orphan wells, but can you confirm that these public funds will really be used to do that and will not go to private companies?
5:30 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services and Finance Branch, Department of the Environment
Thank you for the question. I will turn to my colleague, Niall O'Dea, on the nature legacy fund.
5:30 p.m.
Niall O'Dea Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Wildlife Services, Department of the Environment
Thank you, Ms. Najm.
I can answer the question on the Canada nature fund. That fund consists of $500 million for the 2018-23 period, and its goal is to protect the environment and nature by providing support for preserving species at risk, but also for the establishment of protected areas—
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Monique Pauzé Bloc Repentigny, QC
The question is not at all about the Canada nature fund. I was talking about the low carbon economy leadership fund. I will put my question to you again.
What I was saying is that the $1.5-billion fund for various files was to be used to help Alberta with methane issues and the cleaning of orphan wells. I wanted to make sure that public funds would indeed be used to clean orphan wells and would not go to private businesses.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
We're talking about the fund that was announced by the government during the pandemic to help rehabilitate orphan wells and—
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
What Ms. Pauzé is asking is whether you can assure the committee that this money will go to orphan wells and not to other private companies in the industry.
December 2nd, 2020 / 5:30 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services and Finance Branch, Department of the Environment
Helen Ryan will be able to answer that for you.
5:30 p.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Protection Branch, Department of the Environment
Thank you.
With respect to the orphan well fund, this is not a fund that's administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada, but we are working closely with our colleagues both in the Department of Finance and Natural Resources Canada with respect to that.
The fund is subject to specific agreements and does target orphaned or abandoned wells, and there is a monitoring and reporting provision with respect to that.