Evidence of meeting #39 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 forecasting.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Chris Malette Liberal Bay of Quinte, ON
Further to that, what would success look like five years after the implementation of this, in your estimation?
Director General, Policy, Planning and Partnerships Directorate, Department of the Environment
Success could look like a strengthened ability, in different provinces and territories, to deliver flood forecasting in their areas. I think we can advance science together in collaboration to improve some of our forecasting abilities.
I can speak from a weather perspective, for example. Forecasting precipitation is still quite challenging. By putting efforts into this, we can help improve our ability to forecast—maybe forecast with longer lead times to allow people to prepare for events coming their way.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Shannon Miedema
Thank you very much, Mr. Malette.
Mr. Bonin, you have the floor for six minutes.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
Thank you all for being here.
We had discussions in the previous hour to try to understand what prevents the department from simply drafting a strategy.
Would it be possible to do that without having a bill?
Director General, Policy, Planning and Partnerships Directorate, Department of the Environment
The bill acts as a catalyst to energize efforts in this direction.
Director General, Policy, Planning and Partnerships Directorate, Department of the Environment
I think we need to catalyze our efforts together with all the provinces and territories.
Stephanie Lane Executive Director, Legislative Governance, Department of the Environment
We don't need a bill to create a strategy. That falls under federal jurisdiction.
As Ms. Fortin mentioned, there is a timeline built into the bill. For example, in two years, we have to create a strategy, and in five years, we have to report to Parliament. I think that while we don't need a bill to create the strategy, a bill gives us structure and guidance as to what needs to be included in the strategy led by Parliament. That also includes requests for consultations and things like that. It provides a framework for the strategy directed by Parliament.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
If I were the environment minister, some things would be different, but that's not going to happen.
Let's say there's a climate emergency and it has to be done quickly. If I asked you to produce a strategy, how long would it take you?
Director General, Policy, Planning and Partnerships Directorate, Department of the Environment
What limits the development of a true joint strategy, meaning with the provinces, territories and key stakeholders, such as indigenous communities, is the time needed to engage and consult in order to come up with a strategy that has consensus.
Director General, Policy, Planning and Partnerships Directorate, Department of the Environment
It's hard for me to say at this point, because we haven't assembled all the people who will have to make the effort. I imagine it could take a year or two.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
Okay. Then, about a year.
I'm trying to understand the budget allocated to efforts to adapt to climate change. It's quite complicated. In the 2024-25 estimates, they were on the order of $569 million. When I look at the estimates for 2026-27, I see only $373 million.
Can you explain that discrepancy to me? One would expect the amounts for adaptation to increase, given that the needs are increasing.
Is this creative accounting or is it spread over time?
Director General, Policy, Planning and Partnerships Directorate, Department of the Environment
I'm not in a position to give you details on climate adaptation programs and funding. However, we can provide you with that information. Environment and Climate Change Canada can provide you with an explanation.
Some federal government programs have a limited lifespan. That may be why you're seeing those figures. There's a normal cycle of program renewal, but I don't know if that's the case here. That is one possible reason, but I would like to give you a more definitive answer to your question later.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
Thank you. I would appreciate that.
I'm thinking of the Canada Water Agency. Couldn't your department have done that as part of this initiative? For example, could the agency have proposed a strategy and made improvements in this area?
Director General, Policy, Planning and Partnerships Directorate, Department of the Environment
Could the agency have developed a strategy like the one that's being proposed here?
Director General, Freshwater Policy and Engagement, Canada Water Agency
I wouldn't want to speculate on whether it could have developed this strategy. In terms of the functions of the agencies, Environment and Climate Change Canada works on flood prediction and Agriculture Canada works on drought prediction, so I would say that in terms of developing this strategy, those organizations could be in a position to develop a strategy.
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
Okay.
Why would it be useful or necessary to set up a new government organization that would operate in parallel with the Meteorological Service of Canada?
Director General, Policy, Planning and Partnerships Directorate, Department of the Environment
You want to know why the bill suggests that a national service be set up.
Is that correct?
Bloc
Patrick Bonin Bloc Repentigny, QC
I want to know why it would be useful or necessary, when we already have the Meteorological Service of Canada.
What can't you do that a new structure would do?
Director General, Policy, Planning and Partnerships Directorate, Department of the Environment
I can't really speak to the specifics of the member's bill. She was with us earlier and presented the bill to you. However, I think the purpose of the bill is to assess the extent to which setting up such a service would be useful or not. The bill doesn't necessarily mention setting anything up, as I recall.
To answer your question about what is preventing us from doing that right now, there is the division of powers between the federal government, the provinces and the territories. At the federal level, the Meteorological Service of Canada currently manages the program that collects data on watercourse levels and flows. However, the provinces and territories are responsible for making flood forecasts in their jurisdictions, as I mentioned at the outset.