Evidence of meeting #91 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was debate.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I understand.
Mr. van Koeverden, do you accept this friendly amendment to your motion?
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to Mr. van Koeverden for putting this very important motion in front of us.
Canada took a lead position on methane reduction at COP. I'm going to go on a converse argument that if we don't study this in our committee after our country has taken a lead position and we're the environment committee for Canada, we would be doing a disservice not only to Canadians but also to the other participants at COP.
I think this motion would give the oil and gas sector a chance to talk about what they are doing to reduce emissions. They are working on that. They were at COP, and they presented what they are doing to try to get to net zero. I think that's an important part of the discussion as well. So far, we've heard a lot of.... In fact, we've seen fewer results coming from the oil and gas sector, which, as Mr. van Koeverden said, is the reason we're not getting to the speed that we need to get to in terms of reductions overall. We need to hear from them what they're going to do, given the fact that we are putting a cap on methane to set a standard for them to follow. I think it's important for our committee to dive into that.
On the food report Mr. van Koeverden referenced, the University of Guelph was quite involved with the food report. It did show that 0.3% of the increase in food pricing was coming from the price on pollution.
The price on pollution is really what is driving us. In terms of methane reduction, the contribution of pollution from methane is significant and needs to be curtailed.
If we could get the work of the oil and gas sector onto the table to talk about why it hasn't been able to achieve the goals we've set out and how this might help it through our regulations and through the cap that we're introducing, that could maybe get us all on the same page to get out of the climate crisis we're in right now.
I would be supporting the motion. I really look forward to it as priority motion for us to study at the committee.
Noon
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Thank you, Mr. Longfield.
I give the floor to Ms. Taylor Roy.
Mr. Mazier, do you have a point of order?
Noon
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
Once this is all done, I would like to have a chance to speak.
Noon
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
I would like to speak after this motion is done.
Noon
Conservative
Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Mr. Chair, could I ask for a point of clarification?
Is this a study motion? The member kept referencing this.
Noon
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I'll ask the member.
Mr. van Koeverden, is this calling for a study?
Noon
Liberal
Adam van Koeverden Liberal Milton, ON
No. This is very clearly calling for us to acknowledge the work that's being done, but my colleague Mr. Longfield indicated that it's something he would enjoy studying.
Noon
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I guess that answers your question, Mr. Leslie.
Go ahead, Ms. Taylor Roy.
Noon
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would also like to speak in favour of this motion.
It's clear that there's a lack of understanding about the severity of the climate crisis facing us, currently. There seems to be a lot of disinformation and controversy about actions to reduce emissions and protect our environment, and about the impact they have. I think this study could help us clarify a lot of that confusion, perhaps, and set out the disastrous impacts of continuing to allow emissions, especially from the oil and gas sector, which is the only sector that continues to increase its emissions. What is it doing to our country and our planet?
It's not only about the CO2 side—capping those emissions—but also about the very important new commitment we made to reduce methane emissions by 75%. As I'm sure everyone knows, methane emissions are four times more powerful than carbon, in terms of their impact on greenhouse gases.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Is it more than four? Okay. I was told that it's at least four.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
Leah Taylor Roy Liberal Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Is it 70 times more? Wow, I didn't realize that. Thank you for the correction.
Obviously, they have an incredible impact on the environment and the rise in temperatures.
I think understanding what's happening a little better will, perhaps, help us understand why we need to meet these challenges, because it is difficult to meet the challenges. We have to change. We have to change our behaviour. We have to shift our economy. We have to make difficult changes. There's a very existential reason why we are doing this. Just because something is difficult, that doesn't mean we should back away from it. Doing the same thing over and over again, and sticking to the old way of doing things because we're afraid of change or it might be difficult.... Canada is an incredibly innovative country. We have incredible people who work in our energy sector and universities. We have a lot of knowledge about how we can transition to greener energy production and therefore a greener economy.
I think these kinds of programs we're putting in place—the price on pollution, which includes the carbon tax; the climate action incentive rebate, which addresses affordability; the investments in technology we're making so we can meet these goals—are very important. This is how Canada will face the challenge. This is how we will move forward and protect the next seven generations. It is our responsibility as parliamentarians, and especially as members of the environment committee, to look at these challenges, assess what we're doing, ensure we are taking sufficient action, and help Canadians face these challenges through the monumental investments in technology we're making.
Therefore, I think this study is needed. It's needed right now, because we can no longer afford to debate whether we need to make changes. We need to embrace the change, and we need to confront the challenges and the difficult task of making this transition. Also, we need all Canadians behind it. We all need to let go of holding on to the past and the disinformation out there, and embrace the change we need to make.
Mr. Chair, I would highly recommend that we undertake this study as soon as we can. I think it's very important to our future as a country and a planet, and to the work of this committee.
Thank you.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
12:05 p.m.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Obviously, first of all, I want to mention that this is the second time that the government members have refused to debate our motion on first nations. That's very unfortunate. If we need to have respect in—
12:05 p.m.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
No, that was my introduction, not a point of order. I wanted to participate in that debate.
12:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
I'll put you on the list, then. I'm sorry, I thought it was a point of order.
12:05 p.m.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
I'm sorry, but no. I don't think I said that, either.