Environment Committee on Dec. 2nd, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It's within the frame of the discussion, because we're discussing emissions reductions. I would agree that we're narrowing in on a partial but nonetheless important aspect of a very broad issue, if I can put it that way.

It's Mr. Deltell's time.

You have a minute left.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Just a moment, Mr. Chair, this is a point of order. I can speak to that.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

I'm sorry. Can I just say something else, Mr. Chair?

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I have one final comment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Deltell has a response to your.... It's not a point of order.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

It's on relevance.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

You called it a point of order, but—

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

It's a point of order on relevance.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes. It's a point of order on relevance.

[Leah Taylor Roy, Liberal, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

We're talking about the Government of Canada's 2030 targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We're not talking about the ambassador's personal travel schedule.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I know. I understand that. It is far from the core of the issue.

Mr. Deltell, would you like to respond to that?

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

The ambassador's mandate letter reads in part, “[…] implement the Government of Canada's environmental policies […]”.

Taking a plane instead of a train and attending meetings abroad on five continents, when that can be done virtually, is that consistent with the policies of this Liberal government?

[Catherine Stewart]

I would like to turn to the chief financial officer to talk about public servants' travel.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Go ahead, Ms. Drainville.

[Linda Drainville, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer, Department of the Environment]

Thank you for the question.

As you know, before travelling, every public servant is strongly encouraged to consider all available means and, depending on the reason for the trip, to determine whether virtual participation is possible or whether it is preferable to take the train or plane.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Who bears the environmental cost: is it the person travelling or the government?

[Linda Drainville]

It's the government.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

In other words, we are easing our conscience by saying we can continue to travel around the world if we buy trees.

[Linda Drainville]

Naturally, the current government has a way of doing things, which includes purchasing credits to fill—

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

What was the total amount of money that Canadian taxpayers paid for the ambassador?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Deltell, your time is really up.

I will now give the floor to Mr. van Koeverden for four minutes.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Actually, I think it's me, Chair, please.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It's all the same to me. If it's Mr. Longfield, go ahead, but I have Mr. van Koeverden on the list.

Go ahead, Mr. Longfield.

[Lloyd Longfield, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

Ambassador Stewart, it's great to have you here to talk about more than micromanaging your expense accounts from our committee, which might not be the best use of our time for either of us.

On Friday, I was in the port of Hamilton with our Minister of Transport, Minister Anand, and with the chair of the agriculture committee, Kody Blois. We met with the shipping companies in the port of Hamilton and with P & H Milling. They were talking about record wheat crops coming into the port. It's terrific news from our farmers. They're doing an outstanding job of feeding the world.

We had a conversation around the use of biofuel on freighters. We don't often talk about freighter traffic. Usually, we're talking about trucks and cars. They were saying that the opportunity for biodiesel is a real opportunity for them. I was saying, “How about nitrogen? Have you looked at nitrogen?” I've done some work in the past on stationary nitrogen power units.

Where are we at in terms of helping shipping companies? They were going to Africa and the EU and they had customers in Belgium. They're going around the world with ships. Where are we at in terms of promoting biodiesel?

[Catherine Stewart]

Thank you for your question.

I'm not sure if Megan Nichols, who's in the room, is able to answer that question. Otherwise, I'd be very happy to follow up on it.