Environment Committee on Dec. 4th, 2024

[Francis Bilodeau]

The minister was fully informed of due diligence—

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

And no concerns were raised?

[Francis Bilodeau]

—and in all instances, it was the recommendation of the department that the projects—

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

But were any concerns raised at any point by the minister or anyone in your department before this audit took place?

[Francis Bilodeau]

Not to my knowledge.

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Thank you.

The commissioner noted that projects could be fast-tracked with a letter from the Prime Minister. Is that standard practice in other departments?

[Francis Bilodeau]

I should clarify. In all instances, projects went through full due diligence of the department. That includes a review by the GHG committee and the investment review committee.

In some instances, where time was of the essence, the program provided for—

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Is that a normal process in other departments?

[Francis Bilodeau]

In all instances, projects were approved by one cabinet committee or the other, either by full cabinet or Treasury Board—in all instances by Treasury Board—and it is not in deviation with what we might see in programs.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Thank you.

Mr. Leslie is next.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to start with a fairly straightforward question.

What is the government's emissions reduction target? I'm using the word “target” specifically. What is the emissions reduction target of the $8-billion net zero accelerator fund?

[Francis Bilodeau]

As per what was reported in the OAG report and by Environment Canada, we expect 19 to 20 megatonnes.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

My question refers to the target of the program's $8 billion in spending. What is the target of emissions reductions?

[Francis Bilodeau]

At this point, any specific targets that would have been included in the policy approval are cabinet confidence.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

To clarify, “cabinet confidence” means that it must be kept secret.

[Francis Bilodeau]

That's correct.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Why would the target number of emissions for $8 billion need to be kept secret?

[Francis Bilodeau]

As I said, I am bound by cabinet confidence, so at this point I do not have....

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Could you guess why a number would need to be kept secret?

[Francis Bilodeau]

I wouldn't provide conjecture in that space.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Okay.

The Liberals gave $61 million to Pratt & Whitney, which is a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies, a multi-billion-dollar aerospace and defence company, to develop a new type of engine.

Do you think that this company could develop a new engine without $61 million of taxpayers' money?

[Francis Bilodeau]

I believe that the investments provided help secure Canadian mandates, the development of technology in Canada and work in Canada. Hopefully, this will lead to technology that will lead to the decarbonization of a fairly emissions-intensive sector.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

In the case of that contract, how much could be non-repayable? How much may not be paid back to the government?

[Francis Bilodeau]

I think that's information that is within the realm of the contribution agreement, which I would propose is appropriate for the second part of the discussion.

[Branden Leslie, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Okay.

Do you see why it's frustrating for the folks I represent—folks all of us represent—when we're seeing taxes increase on seniors, on home heating and on life in general, and we're seeing billions of dollars handed out to big companies with parent companies based sometimes in Canada and sometimes in Europe or in other nations around the world, without an actual commitment of any type to reduce emissions? Do you see why that's frustrating for folks?