Natural Resources Committee on May 18th, 2022

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Mr. Morrice, welcome. You have two and a half minutes.

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Angus.

My questions for officials are focused on the kind of advice the minister is receiving from the department on a few statements that we heard from the minister a few times.

The first is this pronouncement about net zero by 2050 being the goal as opposed to 1.5°C as the global average temperature rise that the IPCC has called for. At COP26 a number of low-lying states said that the difference between 1.5°C and 2°C was a “death sentence” for them.

Is there anyone in the department who's telling the minister that net zero by 2050 is the same as 1.5°C ?

[John Hannaford]

Thank you very much for your question.

The emissions reduction plan that was announced earlier this year sets out in detail the steps that we will take in order to meet the objectives that have been identified by the government. It provides as detailed a plan as exists internationally to achieve them.

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thanks for the answer. I get very limited time ever, on this committee, so just to be clear, that goal, you're saying, is the net zero by 2050 goal and not a 1.5°C goal. Is that correct?

[John Hannaford]

Each country is going to have to contribute to the overall measures that are going to be possible in order to achieve the objectives that we have set collectively. Our emissions reduction plan contains in detail—

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Great. Thank you. I just want to get one more in. I'm sorry to be so rushed.

We hear often that carbon capture and storage must be part of any plan. We also know that recent studies are showing that 32 out of 40 times, globally, carbon capture and storage actually increases emissions as opposed to decreases.

Are there any officials who are telling the minister that carbon capture and storage must be part of a science-based climate plan?

[John Hannaford]

I think it's been broadly recognized that climate capture and storage is an important aspect of an overall climate plan.

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Have you seen the study that I just mentioned?

[John Hannaford]

I am aware that there are a number of studies that suggest a variety of different outcomes with respect to carbon capture and storage. This is, however, a matter that continues to evolve as an area of technology. It is going to be a critical aspect of our overall approach as we approach decarbonization generally.

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thank you, and apologies again for how quick that had to go.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

That ends the time we have set aside for today's session.

Thank you, Mr. Hannaford and all of your team who are with you today. We really appreciate it. You're welcome to join us. We're going to be going through the motion on the main estimates. We're regrettably not allowed to increase them, so you're not going to get more money from us, but you're welcome to stick around for this part of the meeting or drop off, if you like, and enjoy your evening.

Have a great evening.

[John Hannaford]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

For the members, the question I have is whether I have unanimous consent to vote on the main estimates in one motion.

Is everybody good with that?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

We'll begin the votes.

Shall vote 1 under Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, vote 1 under Canadian Energy Regulator, vote 1 under Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, votes 1, 5 and 10 under Department of Natural Resources, and vote 1 under Northern Pipeline Agency, less the amounts voted in the interim supply, carry?

ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED

Vote 1—Payments to the corporation for operating and capital expenditures..........$1,174,652,615

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

CANADIAN ENERGY REGULATOR

Vote 1—Program expenditures..........$90,160,129

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

CANADIAN NUCLEAR SAFETY COMMISSION

Vote 1—Program expenditures..........$40,818,583

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$722,418,907

Vote 5—Capital expenditures..........$36,640,886

Vote 10—Grants and contributions..........$2,245,355,494

(Votes 1, 5 and 10 agreed to on division)

NORTHERN PIPELINE AGENCY

Vote 1—Program expenditures..........$540,000

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Shall I report the main estimates 2022-23, less the amounts voted in the interim supply, to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, John Aldag]

Thank you.

Folks, with that, we're going to now suspend. The idea is that we will go in camera. The hope is to spend a brief amount of time. We have until after eight o'clock, but I would like to get into the recommendations for the emissions reduction fund. We have two left in the main report, three from Mr. Angus and two from Mr. Simard. We have a brief draft conclusion and three charts that I'm hoping we can get to.

With that, we'll suspend to give us just a couple of minutes to bring our analysts back in.

[Proceedings continue in camera]