Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and I'd like to thank all the witnesses for being here and presenting their introductory remarks.
I'd like to start with Mr. Beugin from the Canadian Climate Institute.
Mr. Beugin, I was pleased to see from your background that you're an expert in both environmental policy and economics. In balancing the two, I think your remarks reflected that. I think we all know how important it is to be sure that with our environmental policies we are also ensuring that there is economic growth, a place for supporting our economy.
I am wondering about this. In the 2021 mandate letter for the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, it instructed Minister Freeland to “Work with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and with...the Minister of Natural Resources, to accelerate our G20 commitment to eliminate fossil fuel...from 2025 to 2023...”
Do you believe that Canada can meet that target while maintaining a strong economy? Secondly, do you think it's the right time to do it, because we're obviously in a transition and it's a challenging time? Do you think that's possible?