Environment Committee on Nov. 6th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Good afternoon, everyone.

On the speaking list I have Mr. Leslie—he was in the middle of speaking last time—Mr. Mazier, Mrs. Chatel, Ms. Collins, Mr. van Koeverden, Mr. Soroka and Mr. Deltell.

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

May I also get on the speaking list?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I want to make clear to committee members that we are not in camera, although we are discussing future business.

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

I have a point of order.

Is there interpretation?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Can you hear me now? No, you can't hear me.

Okay, I'll start again. We are continuing debate on the motion that was on the floor at the end of Monday's meeting. I have a long speaking list. We're not in camera, even though we're discussing future business. I consider today's meeting to be somewhat equivalent to a subcommittee meeting because we'll be discussing the schedule.

I want to let you know that all the sound tests have been done, and everything is working well.

Mr. Leslie, you had the floor when we finished Monday's meeting, so you can pick up where you left off last time.

The floor is yours.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Just to clarify, this is on the subamendment. Have I technically moved my subamendment?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes, and you were speaking to it.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Excellent.

I appreciate—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Hold on for a second. We'll distribute where we're at.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

I'll wait. I think it's important that people see the text in writing.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Mazier, I have good news for you.

I mentioned that the deputy minister of ISED could not be here on the 18th, but he's now going to be here.

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

Hey, there you go. Is it the new one or the retired one?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It's Mr. Tremblay. I guess he's the new one. Still, it's a deputy minister. We're getting a deputy minister as opposed to someone delegated by him.

Go ahead, Mr. Leslie.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Will that deputy minister have answers, or is he too new?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I can't answer that.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

That's fair enough.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I was speaking earlier this week regarding my proposed subamendment, which I will read out once again for anybody watching and for committee members who now have it in front of them. It's an addition to the end of clause (b) on the proposed motion. It states:

but none shall commence until the committee has heard from Minister Boissonnault in relation to the study of the factors leading to the recent fires in Jasper National Park.

Mr. Chair, I think all of us have been around this committee table for the numerous meetings we've had on what I think is a very important issue to the people of Jasper, to the people of Alberta and really to all Canadians, particularly those who live near other national parks and are somewhat concerned about the potential impact of the pine beetle and, more broadly speaking, wildfires, on their livelihoods, their way of life, their families and their communities.

The fact of the matter is that these fires were catastrophic. We are still seeing those effects that I mentioned on families and businesses. The community of Jasper has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of destruction. A third of the town burned, with nearly $1 billion in damage and 2,000 people left homeless. The process of recovery has really just begun. Obviously, it will take quite a while.

In terms of our work in investigating the factors that led up to that, I think we need to get this right. I think time is really of the essence here. I think we need to ask ourselves a critical question: Is there a reason that Minister Boissonnault can't find the time in his schedule to come to our committee for one hour prior to December 4?

I believe that was the proposed date.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Is that a question for me?

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Yes, just for clarity.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I have no idea. That's what they told us was—

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

December 4 is the proposed—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I mean, unless the committee changes its mind and asks him to come at a later date, he can come on December 4, and in my mind I've slotted him in for December 4.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

We couldn't possibly ask him to come earlier, though. Is that what you're saying?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

No. December 4 was the first opportunity, I was told.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mondays and Wednesdays are pretty busy for him.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I don't know.