Sir, you're more than welcome to sit there at the table, but you're not allowed, as part of your agreement to be here, to be waving me off her questions. Thank you very much.

Ma'am, do you understand the concerns expressed by taxpayers and me?

2 p.m.

Founder and managing partner, Cycle Capital Management, As an Individual

Andrée-Lise Méthot

I don't have anything to do with that, Mr. McCauley. I'm the co‑founder of a not‑for‑profit organization that belongs to its members. That's all.

2 p.m.

Conservative

Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB

Do you have no sense of the concern of taxpayers about this whole scandal?

2 p.m.

Founder and managing partner, Cycle Capital Management, As an Individual

Andrée-Lise Méthot

No. I can say that I have a great deal of respect for taxpayers. My parents paid taxes all their lives. They taught their children well. Don't worry. You're looking at a person who deeply respects all Canadians. I feel privileged to live in Canada, in a democracy.

2 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative John Williamson

Thank you very much.

Up next is Mr. Erskine-Smith.

You have the floor for five minutes.

Mr. Erskine-Smith appears to be.... Is there a member who would like to fill in for Mr. Erskine-Smith?

You have just under five minutes, Ms. Khalid.

2 p.m.

Liberal

Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON

I'll fill in until Mr. Erskine-Smith returns. I am sure that he's attending question period right now as we speak. I know that Mr. Drouin had a statement in question period, so I'm sure that Nate is really paying attention to what Mr. Francis Drouin has to say.

Our esteemed witness has obviously been in this committee for a very long time.

Thank you for your time today.

Is there anything that you would like to say to Canadians with respect to what we have discussed today or with respect to your role?

I will give you the floor to help us understand why you think you are here today and what challenges you have had to face. What is your message for Canadians with respect to everything that you have heard today?

2 p.m.

Founder and managing partner, Cycle Capital Management, As an Individual

Andrée-Lise Méthot

I'll start by making a general comment. Climate change is a reality. It will profoundly change our societies. Immigration will be different. Waters will rise and fires will increase. Canadian entrepreneurs have solutions that can change our consumption habits and reduce pollution. We must believe in these Canadian entrepreneurs. We must support them. Some of them must be the best in the world. I sincerely believe in the need for this discussion on SDTC, which isn't easy. Some things have been called into question and parliamentarians have looked into this issue. However, I would also like us to keep our eyes on the horizon.

This means that we must join the global race when it comes to the technology needed to address the impact of climate change. The coming years will be tough. We're already seeing this. We saw the fires in Jasper, flooding and loss of land. Some parts of Canada and the United States are already less habitable. The issue isn't limited to poor countries. Wealthy countries must find solutions. One of these solutions is clean‑tech entrepreneurship. We need to look at this.

That said, if programs need improvement, if higher standards must be set, I agree with you. I agree with Mr. Perkins on this, too. We need to collectively raise the bar. I'll always be available to answer any questions.

I look forward to visiting Halifax and showing him the extraordinary companies in the Halifax area working hard to win market share.

Mr. Perkins, would you like to make a comment? I'm ready to listen.

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative John Williamson

No, it's your speaking time, Ms. Méthot.

2:05 p.m.

Founder and managing partner, Cycle Capital Management, As an Individual

Andrée-Lise Méthot

Mr. Perkins should be proud of all the great companies in his constituency. That's why I'm here. I don't have any other mission. I've raised all my children. I won't tell you how many, because you'll faint, Mr. Perkins. All my children were raised to value honesty, the fight against climate change and the need to respect women and differences. They also understand the need to contribute to society.

People who never do anything never make mistakes. The doers make mistakes. This goes hand in hand with responsibility and accountability. I'm here to address this today. You have an unlikely ally, Mr. Perkins.

2:05 p.m.

Liberal

Iqra Khalid Liberal Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON

Thank you very much for that, Madam.

I just want to say that it's really interesting how what happens in Parliament impacts business. However, I do share the concern of parliamentarians in the public accounts committee specifically with regard to how taxpayer dollars are used. With the transition now going forward, what are your thoughts about that? What are the implications that you think we as parliamentarians should be looking for in that respect?

2:05 p.m.

Founder and managing partner, Cycle Capital Management, As an Individual

Andrée-Lise Méthot

I'll give you the result of an analysis that we just conducted.

The oil and chemical sectors are currently considered major contributors to carbon dioxide emissions. I'm also thinking of the high‑tech, microelectronics, information technology and cloud computing sector. This sector needs many servers. The high‑tech sector is also becoming an increasingly significant contributor to carbon dioxide emissions.

An industrial revolution is taking shape. It will affect the internet of things, microelectronics and the electrification of transportation. However, carbon dioxide is still being produced. We need to become more inventive. We can't just point the finger at certain industries. Even the deep‑seated changes in our economy will generate carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide produced by power microelectronics or by the chemical sector is the same carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We must raise our standards and understand that some areas are coming into contact for the first time.

I urge everyone to remain open and to make an organized and rigorous contribution to the development of more and more energy‑efficient technology. It's all well and good to have an electric car. However, if the car is manufactured with the use of coal, gas or oil, it's no longer completely electric. We must think carefully about this.

October 28th, 2024 / 2:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative John Williamson

Thank you.

If you have any other comments, Ms. Méthot, you can send them to us.

That concludes today's meeting. I will adjourn this meeting so that we can all get off to question period.

Thank you for your help.