Environment Committee on March 12th, 2026

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

That goes off topic from what I'm interested in, I'm sorry—

[Andrew Campbell]

—in order to help the people whose homes have yet to be rebuilt. Those are social supports.

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

I understand that, but 50% of the homes haven't been rebuilt yet. What specific policy changes have been introduced to improve permitting?

[Andrew Campbell]

That's an excellent question again. There have been increased.... In fact, the builders association of Alberta said that the rebuilding, permitting and streamlining of permitting that is being done in Jasper should be “a model” for the rest of the country—

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

I don't need the commentary or hearsay.

[Andrew Campbell]

That's not hearsay. That's specifically the quote from the individual.

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

I understand, but I want specific changes to policy. What changes has Parks Canada introduced to its permitting practices to accelerate permitting?

[Andrew Campbell]

We have increased the number of staff who are doing permits. Again, there are zero permits outstanding. At this point, we have also looked at being able to adopt an accelerated permitting process for housebuilding.

I don't know whether you've been involved in housebuilding, Mr. Chair or other members, but there are about 5,000 decisions that everybody has to make. We have taken on and streamlined that process so that there is an accelerated process. I would say it's the envy of the rest of the country. If anybody has ever been involved in homebuilding, as I have as a home builder before I started with the government—

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Thank you very much.

[Andrew Campbell]

It's 20—

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

I have one final question. This is very—

[Eric St-Pierre, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

I have a point of order.

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

This is my time, and I take some exception to this.

[Eric St-Pierre, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

I have a point of order. Could we kindly ask the witness to finish his sentence? It's just a question of tone, please.

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Can I comment?

We're wasting time. I have one final question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Angelo Iacono]

I'll let you ask it. He can respond, and that's it.

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Have you received specific media training by the Government of Canada to avoid answering questions?

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Andrew Campbell]

No, I have not received—

[David Bexte, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Thank you very much. That's my time.

[Andrew Campbell]

—any type of media training to avoid answering questions. All of my media training was actually done in 2010.

[The Chair, Liberal, Angelo Iacono]

Thank you very much, Mr. Campbell.

[The Chair, Liberal, Angelo Iacono]

Mr. St‑Pierre, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Eric St-Pierre, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

I would like to point out that the role of parliamentarians is to have a certain demeanour and to maybe watch our tone when we're invited to speak with witnesses.

I very much appreciate that there are eight witnesses here today. Thank you for taking your time. I'm going to take a less aggressive tone.

If you will allow it, I'll ask some questions in French, because I'm a member of Parliament from Quebec.

In other words, I work a lot in French.

I'll ask a few questions with a slightly more diplomatic tone, and the witnesses can respond.

My first question will be for Mr. Campbell, from Parks Canada Agency, but the other witnesses may all answer if they wish.

A 2025 survey showed that 99% of Canadians believe that nature is essential to Canada's identity. The Canada strong pass is an affordability measure you're very familiar with that does a lot to make nature more accessible to many Canadians. We were talking about communication a moment ago. Do you have a communications plan to promote this excellent program?

[Andrew Campbell]

Absolutely. Everyone who watched the Olympic Games probably noticed that there was a lot of advertising for Parks Canada and the Canada strong program. We have plans for more advertising as well. We're still working with Destination Canada to advertise to Canadians and tourists outside Canada.