Evidence of meeting #133 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 target.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Lands and Minerals Sector, Department of Natural Resources
—and we'd have to go back and verify that in terms of permitting.
Conservative
Michael Kram Conservative Regina—Wascana, SK
If you could provide that answer in writing, I would appreciate it.
In your assessment of the critical minerals strategy, did you review how Canada's regulatory approval timelines compare to those of our international competitors?
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General
I don't believe we did a comparison in terms of the timelines for approval, and of course that would change by province and territory, because there is no one timeline for approving a mine in Canada.
As we just heard, the main permitting authorities are provinces and territories. There would be many different timelines depending, on the jurisdiction.
Conservative
Liberal
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to come back to a point that was made earlier.
My Conservative colleague, Mr. Leslie, said earlier that he was interested in the cost-benefit relationship of certain measures and value for money.
However, the most effective measure, according to many economists and conservatives, is really carbon pricing. Economists talk about it not only in terms of cost versus benefit, but also in terms of intervention.
Mr. DeMarco, you said that, if we don't have carbon pricing to achieve our objectives, we need to make regulations and introduce caps in all sectors. We need to encourage players in the sector to act or invest. We need to explode our deficit and invest in decarbonization projects.
What is your opinion on the cost-benefit relationship in relation to carbon pricing?
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General
I didn't bring our 2022 report on carbon pricing, but I recall that the first few pages provide a summary of the various organizations, including the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, and the World Bank, that have found it to be effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, if implemented in an appropriate manner.
You could go and consult them. In our audit, we found that there were problems, and we made recommendations to improve carbon pricing in Canada.
Liberal
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
I'd like to come back to what I said about California. I was mistaken. In 2024, it is the world's fourth-largest economy. If California were a country, it would be the fourth largest economy in the world, ahead of Japan.
However, California has implemented a carbon pricing system. When I hear conservatives say that this measure doesn't exist in the United States, I don't know what planet they live on.
Conservative
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
I rise on a point of order, Mr. Chair, since the member is alluding to what I said.
I never said that no state had a carbon tax.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
This is not a point of order.
It has been said that the United States has no—
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
Adam van Koeverden Liberal Milton, ON
On this point of order, Mr. Chairman, I'm just curious if Mr. Deltell—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Excuse me for interrupting, Mr. van Koeverden, but there is a point of order.
What's your point of order?
Liberal
Adam van Koeverden Liberal Milton, ON
My question is if Mr. Deltell would like to clarify if he's referring to Quebec's price on pollution or Canada's price on pollution.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I think we're going off on a tangent that isn't constructive.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Finish your question. It will be my pleasure to clarify.