Environment Committee on Dec. 2nd, 2024

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

I hope we can encourage members to be kind and courteous to our witnesses, who have taken time out of their busy schedules to be here and share their insights with us today.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I agree.

Keep in mind that the ambassador is not an elected political figure. That should be taken into account.

Go ahead, Mr. Mazier.

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

I guess, in this conversation, I had just asked you this: Do you promote a carbon tax and encourage countries to implement one? I think you referred to “carbon pricing”—a carbon tax. We know it as a carbon tax here in Canada. That is our system. You promote that.

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, as the member opposite knows, the Supreme Court has already said that our carbon pricing is not a tax. He knows that very well.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

That's true, but it's not a point of order. It's a point of information or debate.

Go ahead, Mr. Mazier.

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

Actually, I believe I was just asking Ms. Stewart to confirm that she promotes the carbon tax to other countries.

[Catherine Stewart]

I would say there is a genuine interest internationally in the global carbon pricing challenge, and there are now 18 members that have signed up because they see carbon pricing as a valuable policy tool to reduce emissions.

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

Okay.

I have another question for you. According to reports, you charged Canadian taxpayers $254,000 in travel expenses in less than two years on the job. During your travel, did you ever promote or discuss Canada's carbon tax?

Please answer yes or no.

[Catherine Stewart]

I was appointed climate change ambassador for Canada to engage internationally—

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

To do what, Ambassador?

[Catherine Stewart]

—and I take my responsibilities very seriously when it comes to travelling.

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

What did you do? Did you—

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Excuse me, Mr. Mazier. I think we need to give Ms. Stewart a chance to respond.

Personally, I don't see why, on either side, this is so complicated. The ambassador's role is to promote our approach to fighting climate change. I would imagine the ambassador—

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

It's an easy question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

—promotes all the policies we have, including capping methane emissions.

Were you still answering, Ms. Stewart?

[Catherine Stewart]

That's right, Mr. Chair. I promote all of the policies Canada is implementing and all of the incentives we've been promoting in order to help address climate change.

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

That's all of the policies, including the carbon tax. Thank you.

When was the last time you travelled to Canada in your role as Canada's climate change ambassador?

[Catherine Stewart]

I was in Canada in September.

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

Where is your main office located?

[Catherine Stewart]

I am based in Switzerland.

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

There are media reports that you were in Paris and London for “carbon pricing outreach.” During those trips, you charged Canadian taxpayers over $400 a night for hotels.

What is carbon pricing outreach?

[Catherine Stewart]

As I mentioned, my role as climate ambassador is to talk about what Canada does to address climate change, including promoting the global carbon pricing challenge. To give some assurance to this committee of how seriously I take travel, I would like to turn to our CFO, chief financial officer, who is at the table—

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

No, that's okay. I have one more question for you, actually.

[Catherine Stewart]

—and can talk about the rigour I go through in order to determine my travel.