Environment Committee on Nov. 27th, 2024

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

—compliance flexibility that allows them to emit 20% to 22%. That's half of what the rest of the Canadian public has to do. That's half of what the other sectors—

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

—that is moving forward. It's 35% in our emissions reduction target, or 40%.

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

However, with compliance flexibility, it brings it down to the low 20s.

The oil and gas sector has a disproportionate impact on our emissions. It is the top emitter in Canada, yet—

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

That is why we're putting in place a cap on the emissions of the sector.

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

—it's one that is watered down. Similarly—

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

I disagree with you. Flexibility—

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

I hear that, but similarly, if you look at the clean electricity standard—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I really find this to be an interesting discussion, but I can't follow it.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Maybe, let's have a question and answer, alternating between one and the other individual, because I find this to be a very interesting discussion.

Go ahead.

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

I'm hoping that you'll give me a few extra seconds for your intervention.

In the same way that we've seen the emissions cap be watered down, in the same way we saw—if you'll let me finish, Minister—your finance minister back off from an excess profits tax, we've also seen the same pattern when it comes to the clean electricity standard, the clean fuel standard and so many other policies that could be strong, robust climate action.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Okay, we're really over time, but I'll give the minister 30 seconds.

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

I disagree with just about everything the member said. We have the most ambitious climate plan in the history of Canada. Our emissions are at their lowest point in 25 years. It's never happened in the history of our country that emissions have gone down while the economy is running full steam ahead, never. It's the first time ever.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Thank you.

Mr. Mazier will kick off the second round, please.

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

Thank you.

Is it five minutes?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes.

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

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Minister, for being here today.

Minister, the United States is threatening Canada with 25% tariffs that would cripple our economy. Will you cancel the carbon tax so that our economy can be competitive, yes or no?

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

I will repeat what I said earlier to your colleague: Putting a price on carbon means $25 billion of investment in the country each year. Cancelling it would be cancelling $25 billion of investment. We therefore will not do that.

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

Minister, according to your own department, actually, the carbon tax is going to cost our GDP $25 billion. I don't know where you're getting your numbers, but your own department is reporting that number.

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

I will be very pleased to present to the committee all the documents supporting the statements I made.

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

Minister, 40% of Canada's economy is due to trade with the United States. Is it your personal opinion that the carbon tax should remain in place even if Donald Trump imposes these tariffs, yes or no?

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

Of course, we will continue to move forward with carbon pricing because it creates jobs, promotes investment and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

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

Therefore, you're going to continue crippling our economy with the carbon tax, even though Donald Trump.... Are you not standing up for us in Canada?

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

I strongly disagree with what you just said about carbon pricing. Even the Alliance Pathways representative asked your leader to be clearer on the issue of pricing carbon, to avoid threatening investments by companies like Dow Chemical and Strathcona Resources Ltd., who invested $2 billion into a carbon capture and storage project. Oil companies invest in these areas with the federal government’s support.

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

Has your government made a decision on whether it will increase the carbon tax over $170 a tonne past 2030?