Mr. Chair and honourable members of the committee, I'd like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation.
Thank you for the invitation to appear before you today.
It is a privilege to provide an overview of the work of Environment and Climate Change Canada, or ECCC—our mandate, responsibilities, and priorities as we work to protect the environment and support Canadians..
In a few words, our mandate is to preserve and enhance the quality of the natural environment for present and future generations.
This work is guided by the Department of the Environment Act, which gives the minister responsibilities ranging from protecting air, water and soil quality and managing migratory birds to coordinating government-wide policies on the environment.
The minister also has key responsibilities under several cornerstone laws. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act helps prevent pollution and manage risks to human health and the environment. The Species at Risk Act protects wildlife in danger of disappearing. The Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act establishes carbon pricing across Canada, creating incentives to cut emissions. The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act requires the government to set and report on targets that will get Canada to net-zero emissions by 2050.
These laws are not abstract. They provide the framework for how Canada addresses today's most pressing environmental issues. They give us the tools to protect biodiversity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air and water quality and prepare for a changing climate, but no single government can meet these challenges alone: Protecting the environment is a matter of shared jurisdiction under the Constitution. That means effective action depends on close collaboration among provinces, territories, municipalities, indigenous peoples and international partners.
Domestically, we work bilaterally and multilaterally with provinces and territories, including through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment and the Ministers for Conservation, Wildlife and Biodiversity. We also maintain distinctions-based tables with first nations, Inuit, and Métis partners. And we are advancing commitments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
Internationally, Canada plays an active role in global environmental and climate negotiations, from the Paris Agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
We also work closely with allies on issues such as plastic pollution, clean trade and transboundary water management.
Our work spans four key areas: We regulate emissions reductions, design and implement carbon pricing and work with provinces, territories, indigenous partners and industry to support Canada's climate objectives.
Our department leads on climate science, modelling and adaptation planning, helping governments, communities and businesses prepare for more frequent floods, wildfires, heat waves and storms.
We also monitor air, water and soil quality; regulate toxic substances; and manage environmental emergencies. We enforce compliance under CEPA and the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act, and we support safe management of waste, plastics and hazardous materials.
We safeguard species at risk, protect migratory birds and manage national wildlife areas. We are advancing work to conserve 30% of Canada's land and waters by 2030, in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
As well, through the Meteorological Service of Canada, we provide 24-7 forecasts and alerts that millions of Canadians rely on daily. These services are essential to public safety, economic activity and Canada's sovereignty in the north.
Across all of these areas, our approach is grounded in science, informed by indigenous knowledge and strengthened through partnerships.
We also recognize the broader context. Environmental protection is not only about avoiding harm but also about positioning Canada for long-term economic and social resilience.
In short, Environment and Climate Change Canada is a science-based department with a broad and complex mandate. We administer a suite of legislative tools, deliver critical services and work across jurisdictions to address issues that touch the daily lives of Canadians, whether it is the air we breathe, the water we drink, the weather we prepare for or the climate we leave to our children.
Mr. Chair and members, I hope this overview helps set the stage for your study. We would be pleased to answer your questions.
