Environment Committee on Nov. 27th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The time is up.

We'll go now to Mr. Soroka.

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I was asking you about the lead for recovery in Jasper, and you said that it's still at the committee to determine who that is. I was wondering if you asked the Prime Minister to remove your name from that list of being the lead on recovery because of how you failed at Jasper with the mismanagement of the forest.

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

I've answered that question many times. As I said, your government did nothing for four consecutive years and slashed funding by more than $120 million. We've invested more than $600 million since we've been in power in measures to protect Jasper.

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

So I guess that's a—

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

There was $120 million in cutbacks versus more than $600 million in investment. That's what I have to show—

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

You're basically saying that you did not talk to the Prime Minister about whether or not you would be the lead from the government side.

I also asked a question about the northwest of Jasper that has not burnt. All you gave me was an answer that your government had done nothing, but yet, like I said, you've been in charge for nine years.

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Chair, can the minutes reflect that I'm in complete opposition to what the member just said? He's saying that I said something that I simply didn't.

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

I'm standing corrected.

The Harper government did do things, just not as much as you'd like.

Back to my original question—

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Chair, the member is putting words in my mouth. I didn't say anything about what he was talking about. Looking at—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Soroka's time is up anyway.

Mrs. Chatel, you have the floor.

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Minister, I want to talk about Bill C-73 and start by thanking you for your leadership on biodiversity.

Back home in the Outaouais, your department funded a project called Kidjimaninan, which means “our canoe”. It's a project, led by indigenous communities, to protect biodiversity in the Outaouais and meet our regional targets. So thank you for your leadership. Without you, it wouldn't have happened.

Now let's talk about the bill, which I would really like us to pass and about which Ms. Collins finally asked an important question: Are you open to amendments? We will study this bill here in parliamentary committee. I look forward to it and I would like to study it thoroughly. What will the process be if the committee decides to propose some recommendations?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

As I said earlier, I'm very open to amendments. I have introduced a number of bills in Parliament, and I think that the objective of the work of the parliamentary committee, the House of Commons and, eventually, the Senate is to come up with the best possible legislation. So I'm very open to amendments.

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Thank you very much.

What did you hear from stakeholders? How do they feel about this bill?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Unfortunately, we don't have time for an answer.

That brings us to the end of our meeting.

I'd like to thank the minister for his time. I would also like—

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

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Just a moment.

I would also like to thank the members for their questions, which have led to a better understanding of the subject.

Mr. Mazier, you have the floor.

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

I just wonder if the minister could table his expenses from his COP29 trip.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The question has been asked. I think it takes some time to calculate the expenses of any trip. However, I would assume, Minister, that once that exercise is done—

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

It's always made public, Mr. Chair—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Your expenses will be made public.

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

—like all other expenses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

They will be made public. It just takes time.

On that note, I would like to adjourn the meeting.