Evidence of meeting #108 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was price.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Lawrence Hanson  Associate Deputy Minister, Department of the Environment
John Moffet  Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Protection Branch, Department of the Environment
Derek Hermanutz  Director General, Economic Analysis Directorate, Department of the Environment

5:50 p.m.

Associate Deputy Minister, Department of the Environment

Lawrence Hanson

Thanks for the question. Yes, we are on track for the 2026 target, and that would constitute the first time that one of these targets has been met.

In terms of that individual year, I don't know, Derek, if you have that handy or not.

5:50 p.m.

Director General, Economic Analysis Directorate, Department of the Environment

Derek Hermanutz

For 2026...? Yes. Our latest projections, published in December of 2023, show that we're on track to meet that interim objective.

5:50 p.m.

Liberal

Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton Centre, ON

Thank you.

Roughly what percentage of Canada's emissions reduction efforts by 2030 is attributable to the pollution pricing system across Canada?

5:50 p.m.

Associate Deputy Minister, Department of the Environment

Lawrence Hanson

We have it in a range of 31% to 36%. The range is a result of whether or not you count land use, land use changes in forestry, as part of the calculation.

5:50 p.m.

Liberal

Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton Centre, ON

Approximately what percentage of on-farm emissions does carbon pollution pricing apply to? For emissions that carbon pricing applies to, what rebates are available to offset costs while preserving the price signal from pollution pricing to incentivize emissions reduction efforts?

5:50 p.m.

Associate Deputy Minister, Department of the Environment

Lawrence Hanson

On farm fuels...?

5:50 p.m.

Liberal

Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton Centre, ON

Yes.

5:50 p.m.

Associate Deputy Minister, Department of the Environment

Lawrence Hanson

There's an exemption for the carbon tax for the fossil fuels used in farm operations, and then John can correct me if I have this wrong, but I think there's also a refundable tax credit for the fuels that might be used for crops and so forth.

5:50 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB

I have a point of order. That's false.

Please define “farm fuels”. Are you talking about what's going in a tractor, or are you talking about grain—

5:50 p.m.

An hon. member

That is not a point of order.

5:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

It's not a point of order, but feel free to answer the question.

5:50 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB

Do you know what farm fuels are?

5:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

It's not a point of order. We have to continue. We're near the end. We have about 40 seconds.

Who was answering Mr. Ali's question?

Mr. Hanson, go ahead.

5:50 p.m.

Associate Deputy Minister, Department of the Environment

Lawrence Hanson

Can you repeat the first part of your question?

I should note, by the way, just in answer to the other.... In terms of the fuels I was referring to, it's gasoline and the light fuel oil, also known as diesel.

5:50 p.m.

Liberal

Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton Centre, ON

What percentage of on-farm fuel emissions does pollution pricing apply to?

5:50 p.m.

Associate Deputy Minister, Department of the Environment

Lawrence Hanson

I'm sorry. I don't have that number in front of me.

5:50 p.m.

A voice

We will have to follow up with that number.

5:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

Could you send that to the committee?

5:50 p.m.

Liberal

Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton Centre, ON

It's fascinating to see how Mr. Mazier from the Conservatives interrupted officials who were responding to my question and confused the situation—

5:50 p.m.

Conservative

Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB

It's because it was false. It's a false statement.

5:50 p.m.

Liberal

Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton Centre, ON

That's what the Conservatives are doing to confuse Canadians.

Officials were responding to my question and he interrupted and wasted the time. That's what these guys are doing to filibuster.

5:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia

The time is up.

It was a very interesting conversation from where I sat. I think we learned a lot.

We'll see everyone on Thursday. We're going back to the finance study on Thursday.

Thank you to the witnesses. It's always a pleasure to have you.

Have a good evening, members.