Environment Committee on May 2nd, 2024

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

We are totally open to the notion that we produce more evidence on this. I've talked about the poor air quality in Halton. Also, having gone to McMaster University, I've seen the belching black fumes of smoke coming from Dofasco. It's an eyesore and a “lung sore”, and it leads to negative health outcomes.

That news was very welcome—that they are going to pursue electric arc technology for steel production in my region, right in line with the Conservatives' approach to technology. This is precisely what we're talking about when we talk about taking innovative steps forward. Supporting innovation at the business level and within academia and science is the approach that our government has taken. For a number of large-scale businesses—at Algoma Steel and at Dofasco in Hamilton—it's been a real success story.

I want to see success stories in Brant county, in southern Manitoba, outside of Quebec City and all across the country. Let's get to it.

The only issue we have is with the amount of time to get good documents, so we'd ask for 14 days, and we can collectively vote. We don't even have to vote, actually. We can move on to other business as long as we all agree.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Would you rather propose a subamendment—

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

If it's necessary to—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

—or do we all agree that 14 days is reasonable?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

The amendment is, yes, but we still have more discussion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I understand, but can we just get rid of the amendment?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

The extension?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

So, the ask is what?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It's 14 days instead of seven.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Okay. We're good.

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Everyone agrees to extend the period to get the documents.

Let's continue the debate.

Were you finished, Mr. van Koeverden?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Yes. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Okay.

Mr. Mazier, you have the floor.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The matter before us today is extremely serious. There is a glaring problem here that should alarm every Canadian. In fact, after hearing the environment commissioner's testimony and reading his report, I think that this may be the most expensive cover-up since Justin Trudeau was elected.

In December 2020, the Liberals announced the net-zero accelerator. They charged taxpayers $3 billion to fund it. Less than one year later, they doubled the spending and announced another $5 billion for this government program, increasing the total cost to $8 billion.

It is very important to note that the Liberals claim that the purpose of this net-zero accelerator was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their plan was to give away billions in tax dollars to large companies in exchange for a specific reduction of emissions.

Usually when a government announces $8 billion in spending, they brag about it for years and talk about the results. However, ever since the net-zero accelerator was established, we have barely heard a word from the Liberals on this $8-billion program. Now we know why they've been so quiet.

Last week, Canada's independent environment commissioner revealed that the government's net-zero accelerator is nothing more than another slush fund. He concluded that the Liberal government “did not effectively manage the...Net Zero Accelerator to decarbonize the manufacturing industries in accordance with Canada's climate goals or with due regard to value for money for Canadians.”

Not only did we learn that the government was giving—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Ms. Taylor Roy.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

I'm sorry. I don't know if it's a point of order or not, but I believe the member opposite was just referring to something that the commissioner said when he was here, and he did not call it a slush fund. I'm just wondering whether there's something that can be corrected in terms of the record.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Could you speak to that?

I think you were interpreting what the situation is all about. He didn't say that it was a slush fund.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

I'm sorry. Could you read it again?

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

No, I didn't say that.

I'll say it again. Let me go back to that: Last week, Canada's independent environment commissioner revealed that the government's net-zero accelerator is nothing more than another slush fund.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

I don't believe that's what he revealed at all. I've read his report, and he did not say that or reveal that in any way. You must have listened to a different commissioner than I did because that's not what I heard him say, and that's not what I read in his report.

Perhaps you could reference that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes, it's a bit of a point of debate.

I think Mr. Mazier is interpreting the larger context. The commissioner clearly did not say that, for the record.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Go ahead, Mr. Mazier.