Environment Committee on May 26th, 2026

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

In the 44th Parliament, they all supported it.

However, in the 45th Parliament, we unfortunately lost the support of the Bloc Québécois. I hope that this committee will help lead the Bloc Québécois to reconsider its decision.

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

Thank you for joining us. I would like to congratulate you on your first experience with our committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Shannon Miedema]

Thank you, Mr. St‑Pierre.

I'll now give the floor to Mr. Bonin for six minutes.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Ms. Auguste, I would like to congratulate you on your victory and on your election as a member of Parliament. Democracy has spoken.

I'm happy to see you here. I know that our constituencies are neighbours. When you came to my constituency, we unfortunately didn't have the chance to see each other. I imagine that, when you make announcements in the future, we'll likely have the opportunity to talk on the ground.

As you know, the Bloc Québécois obviously strongly supports flood and drought prevention. We're also quite vocal about the need for the federal government to improve its climate change adaptation strategy. It has been roundly criticized, in particular by the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development.

Of course, when we talk about floods and droughts, we're talking about extreme weather events. We're also likely to see more of them as your government moves ahead with the construction of new pipelines and oil and gas production.

In your opinion, does it make sense to propose a strategy to better manage floods and droughts while also building pipelines that will fuel the climate crisis and basically help increase the number of floods?

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Thank you for your question.

I think that it makes sense to address a need identified by a number of Canadians and Quebeckers concerning floods and droughts.

Regarding the other part of your question, I think that it would be necessary to turn to a member of the Privy Council for a response.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Are you one of the 15 or so members of Parliament concerned about the government's approach—

[Tim Watchorn, Liberal, Les Pays-d'en-Haut, QC]

I have a point of order on the relevance of the question.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I think that it's in the public interest to know whether our colleague feels concerned about the current situation.

[The Chair, Liberal, Shannon Miedema]

Go ahead.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Thank you for your question.

The concern that I want to address today relates to floods and droughts. I would like us to stay on topic.

Thank you.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I can see that you might speak up, as another member did. One day, I would like others to speak up.

You said that Quebec environmental groups supported your bill.

Which groups?

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Sorry. I said that Mr. Bexte referred to groups, but I also said that a researcher at UQAM supported—

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I understood that.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

—the bill.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Are any of Quebec's environmental groups currently supporting your bill?

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

The Mouvement Mères au front certainly expressed support for this bill.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Has this group formally endorsed the bill?

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Obviously, between the two elections, it was a bit difficult to get things quickly. However, this group expressed verbal support at a meeting in my constituency.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

No other group has expressed support.

We actually want to avoid duplication. In Quebec, we protect the land. The Quebec government adopted a strategy and plan to protect the land from flood risks for the period from 2020 to 2028.

Have you seen this plan?

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

I haven't seen this plan, unfortunately.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

You have no idea about the content of Quebec's flood plan or its flood risk strategy.

Is that right?

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

I have a general idea, but not specifically for Quebec.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

How do you think a federal strategy would enhance Quebec's current plan?

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

It isn't a federal strategy. This would be a national strategy.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

It's the same thing.