Environment Committee on May 2nd, 2024

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

Okay.

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 this government was giving away billions of dollars without measuring the value for money but we also learned that the government has no clue if the money is reducing emissions.

The environment commissioner literally stated that the majority of funding was approved by the Liberals without any commitment to reduce emissions.

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It sounds like a point of debate.

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Well, no, it's not.

We can't freelance on the Attorney General's and the commissioner of the environment's testimonies when they come and read their speeches. I don't think it's appropriate for us to politicize non-partisan people.

This committee has continued—

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

Mr. Chair, it's not a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

To be honest—

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

I'm not done. My point of order is coming.

Look, this committee is continually being used by the Conservatives as a place to protest various things. That's fine; it's their time. However, the commissioner of the environment—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

What is the point of order?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

The commissioner of the environment did not come here and say any of those things. What he said was that, in addition to other investments, decarbonizing steel production in Canada is one of those tools that has been used.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

This is debate, but is that the point of order?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Well, it's protest at the committee, and it's a waste of time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Okay, but I think—

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

It's a waste of time to consider $8 billion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Colleagues, when the chair has the—

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

It's not true. You're just protesting. Keep it up.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

When the chair has the floor—

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

We agree with you. We're going to do—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

We'll have a break and just prolong this meeting.

The words of independent watchdogs are used politically all the time in this business.

Go ahead, Mr. Mazier.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The environment commissioner literally stated that the majority of funding was approved by the Liberals without any commitment to reduce emissions. Think about that. The Liberals are giving away billions of dollars in the name of emissions reductions without knowing that—

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

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Is this a point of order or a point of debate?

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

Well, maybe you can clarify how you challenge when a member is quoting or saying that he “literally” said.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

You get on the speaking list.

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

No, but there has to be something about facts, about lying in the committee. He didn't state that the Liberals had done that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Could you repeat what you said?