Evidence of meeting #37 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was parks.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Nathalie Provost Liberal Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville, QC
This is not an expropriation strategy.
This is what we have done in the past, and this is what we want to continue doing in the future. These projects are defined in collaboration with committees, territories, provinces, municipalities and developers. They are the ones who will help and guide us. There are already some known projects on the table. There are others that are in the hands of, in particular, non-governmental organizations working in the field of conservation.
Conservative
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
You suggest that the province or landowners have a veto on anything you might propose.
Liberal
Nathalie Provost Liberal Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville, QC
Thank you for your question.
As I understand it, the projects that have already been completed were carried out collaboratively. Collaboration and partnership are at the heart of this strategy.
We have examples, such as in Quebec, in rural areas—
Conservative
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
Again, my time is short.
You can assure the committee today that there will be no compulsion to participate on private land.
Liberal
Liberal
Nathalie Provost Liberal Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville, QC
I do not believe it is written anywhere that we will change our approach in order to achieve this. Canadians love nature. Businesses love nature. We therefore believe that they will contribute, to the best of their ability, to achieving the 30% target by 2030.
Conservative
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
I have one final question.
Have you conducted a comprehensive economic risk assessment of removing lands from private...including lands in this scheme? What is the economic impact of that, positive and negative?
Liberal
Nathalie Provost Liberal Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville, QC
Thank you for your question.
As I have just said, there is no obligation or plan in this regard. We are discussing it. The economic impact of conservation is very clear. We need air and clean water to be able to live. The economic impact analysis of conservation has been carried out. Mitigation mechanisms—
Conservative
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
Can I intervene again? I have only a few moments.
If you're removing arable land from production to make conservation spaces, there's going to be an economic impact, whether it's willing or not. We need to know what that is.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shannon Miedema
Thank you very much.
Mr. St‑Pierre now has the floor for five minutes.
Liberal
Eric St-Pierre Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
I would like to thank my dear colleague for being here today.
Ms. Provost, thank you for the incredible work you are doing. Keep up the good work.
The third pillar of Canada’s strategy to protect nature concerns not only the importance of mobilizing private capital, but also of using innovative financial tools to fund long-term environmental conservation.
Can you give us some examples of these innovative financing tools?
Liberal
Nathalie Provost Liberal Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville, QC
Thank you very much for the question.
There are already several examples of sustainable finance around the world. Even just in terms of climate, all the tools, including the carbon tax, have made it possible to find a way to finance the fight against climate change.
In the field of nature itself, projects are being carried out. For example, in Australia, forestry projects have been carried out, and these have demonstrated the ability of major international financial institutions to value nature and get involved through private capital while promoting conservation to protect biodiversity. It is examples like this that we want to use and bring to Canada because, at the moment, 80% of the funds spent for conservation are public funds. We will not be able to achieve our objectives if we cannot change this dynamic.
It is a major challenge, but I believe Canada can be a leader. Private organizations must also shoulder a share of this responsibility. It must not fall solely on individuals and governments. It must be shared, as everyone benefits from nature. Everyone needs water. Everyone needs clean air. Nature conservation is a way of protecting the vast natural capital we have in Canada. We are privileged. We have extraordinary resources, but the responsibility must not rest solely on our shoulders or on public funds. We need to broaden the movement, and there is a desire to do so. Our mechanisms must allow us to harness these movements.
There was a finance ministers’ summit on nature in Banff. I met people there, and the enthusiasm was incredible. This enthusiasm is present in many countries around the world, in Europe and within the United Nations. They want to support this initiative, because it is the only way to achieve major goals.
The work we have accomplished is already extraordinary, but the next step is extremely demanding. We need everyone to make an effort. That is what the third pillar will be for, as well as the expert committee we want to set up.
It was extremely important to highlight all of this.
Liberal
Eric St-Pierre Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Thank you.
I share your enthusiasm for private funding mechanisms, because there's a lot we can do with them. I know there are groups, like Nature United, that are actively working on this right now. So thank you.
Can you tell us why the government is setting up an expert panel on natural capital accounting?
Liberal
Nathalie Provost Liberal Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville, QC
Thank you for your question.
We're in an accounting and financial paradigm. This type of paradigm is quite difficult, since it is defined by international agreements.
By bringing in experts working in the field, we'll be able to move more quickly and put forward proposals. Some of those proposals are even directed at our government, particularly the Department of Finance. However, if we can do this on a consensus basis that is recognized internationally, it will not only reassure our public servants about the approach we're taking, but also give us international momentum as leaders in nature finance. I think we're ready for that.
Liberal
Eric St-Pierre Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
I'd like to ask you one last question.
Philanthropic foundations and environmental groups were very supportive of “A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature”.
Can you give us some examples of these groups and, if possible, provide us with documents that show support for this strategy?
Liberal
Nathalie Provost Liberal Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville, QC
It will be my pleasure. I thank the member for his question.
With the help of the teams here, we'll make sure we provide those names. I mentioned some of them. We have Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Nature Canada, as well as the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, with Valérie Courtois as the executive director. She would hold it against me if I didn't mention her organization.
There are also large indigenous groups that lead conservation initiatives, which are supported by the permanent project funding program. They're very happy to continue working with us.
So far, this strategy has been very well received. However, we must continue to work on it, since it hasn't yet proven itself. We also hear the criticisms you're voicing here. We need to keep moving forward. However, I think we'll be able to build a strong Canada if we have a strong natural environment.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shannon Miedema
Thank you very much, Mr. St‑Pierre.
We have finished our second round of questions for the secretary of state, but we did begin late. Technically, we have 10 minutes remaining.
I'll put it to the committee. Would we like to catch up on our time, finish off this round and move on to round two, or would we like to have one more question per party for Madame Provost?
Okay. We will have one more question for Madame Provost.
I propose that we do three minutes per party, and then we will close out round two.
Does that work for everyone?
I see that we're in agreement.
We will begin with the Conservative Party.
Mr. Leslie, you have three minutes.
Conservative
Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
What share of the $3.8 billion allocated to this will go directly to on-the-ground habitat work? What share is expected to go to administration of programs, consultants, mapping, advisory bodies, conferences and other things that don't do anything for the environment?
Liberal
Nathalie Provost Liberal Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville, QC
Thank you very much for your question.
Unfortunately, at this point, I'm not in a position to answer that question. The team of officials will probably be able to provide details based on the information we have, but we're also refining our approach as we work toward a coordinated implementation.
Our initial answer may not be complete, but we'll be happy to share what we have and follow up with additional information.
Conservative
Branden Leslie Conservative Portage—Lisgar, MB
Please continue to share with this committee what that looks like as it develops. Again, hopefully there'll be some certainty.
Will local groups be able to access federal conservation money through simple forms, fast approvals and, ideally, sweat equity? These are the people who actually do things. They put on hip waders and create cold water refuge and fish habitat, but they don't have money. Instead of giving it to a bunch of big organizations that don't do anything, are you going to give it to the people on the ground, who will actually make the environment a better place to live, work and play in?