Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The purpose of this meeting is to talk about your mandate letter, Mr. Minister. While some members here are still debating whether or not climate change even exists, the rest of the international community is pivoting towards a net-zero economy. We know there are tremendous environmental and economic risks associated with inaction on the climate file, but there are also tremendous economic opportunities available to countries that are willing to be ambitious and to seize this unique moment.
Your mandate letter includes a direction “to create more jobs and achieve long-term economic and industrial transformation towards a low-carbon future”. Why do you view this as an essential part of promoting Canadian innovation and productivity?