Evidence of meeting #4 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was projects.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Catherine McKenna Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON
There are many aspects to that. Starting with the electric buses, we've committed to 5,000 of those. That's a huge opportunity, not just with school boards, but with transit systems. We are looking at how we will do that.
I am looking first for the budget. The budget will be an important milestone, but I've heard across the board about the real opportunity. You're absolutely right that kids expect us to be taking action. Many school boards have declared climate emergencies. So have cities. Actually, as a reminder to everyone, so did Parliament here. We need to be looking across the board at how we support everyone to take action to reduce emissions, whether it's in the transportation sector or the built environment.
Liberal
Conservative
Scot Davidson Conservative York—Simcoe, ON
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Minister.
I can't believe you didn't mention my riding in your opening.
Liberal
Conservative
Scot Davidson Conservative York—Simcoe, ON
It's $7 million; I have it here. To the south, for Newmarket—Aurora, there is $60 million; for Markham—Stouffville, it's $72 million.
Last week in the House of Commons, you announced in your new role as Minister of Infrastructure that just one single stormwater management project has been funded for the Lake Simcoe area through Infrastructure Canada's green fund as part of your mandate.
In comparison, the $60-million Lake Simcoe cleanup fund, which you yourself cancelled as environment minister, supported over 200 community-based projects, including more than 110 stormwater retrofits and the creation of the stormwater management master plan.
In the last three years, there has been a record number of phosphorus level increases in the lake, and it's threatening its health. These small and individual federal investments are not enough, including this most recent green fund project.
Today, Minister, will you work with your cabinet colleagues and keep your Liberal government's electoral promise to restore the Lake Simcoe cleanup fund?
Liberal
Catherine McKenna Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON
Well, it's hard to talk about particular funds, although I will just say that, for Ontario, I have the green infrastructure stream, which I am responsible for. It is 100% unallocated for Ontario. You could work with the Province of Ontario to submit a project if it is relevant to that stream.
Conservative
Scot Davidson Conservative York—Simcoe, ON
But will you support the Lake Simcoe cleanup fund that your government mandated?
Liberal
Catherine McKenna Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON
I am happy to chat with you to see what fund it might be suitable to apply under.
Conservative
Scot Davidson Conservative York—Simcoe, ON
Environment and infrastructure go together.
As well, today you said you have made progress on eliminating long-term boil water advisories on first nation reserves.
In my community, the Chippewas of Georgina Island have been living without access to clean water for far too long. An Infrastructure Canada investment was made through the clean water fund to provide service to the south and east sides of the island. That project has already been completed and the long-term advisory is supposed to be lifted this month. These parts of the island still remain on a boil water advisory today.
Will my family and my neighbours no longer be on a boil water advisory on Georgina Island? When will that be, Minister?
Liberal
Catherine McKenna Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON
While I can't personally commit here to a particular day, I'll tell you that it's a top priority of our government. It is unacceptable that there are places in this country where, in particular, indigenous communities do not have access to clean drinking water. We have made significant progress with 87 long-term drinking water advisories that have been eliminated, but there is clearly work to do.
The good news is that we are making the investments. We are working with communities and we need to make progress, because this is all about making sure that indigenous peoples have access to the same quality of life as everyone else.
Conservative
Scot Davidson Conservative York—Simcoe, ON
Yes, I am saying specifically here that you're reporting that it's going to be dealt with there, but half the island is still not going to have water service with the investment that's made.
Liberal
Catherine McKenna Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON
I can't provide you specifics on that particular project. If you want to come to us.... It's not directly under me, but I agree with you that we need to be looking at how we can have clean drinking water across the country.
Conservative
Scot Davidson Conservative York—Simcoe, ON
I just want Canadians to be confident that they know that when something has been lifted, it has actually been lifted.
I'm going to turn my remaining time over to Mr. Doherty.
February 27th, 2020 / 5:20 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Minister, are first nations eligible for the gas tax fund?
Liberal
Catherine McKenna Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON
Yes, but I am going to pass it over to my deputy because she is going to have a way better answer.
Kelly Gillis Deputy Minister, Infrastructure and Communities, Office of Infrastructure of Canada
Yes, first nations are eligible for the gas tax fund, although it flows through Indigenous Services Canada, through the first nation infrastructure fund.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Are you sure that first nations are aware of this? Last year the Semiahmoo band was not aware. They were the band under the most long-standing boil water advisory, and they were not aware that they were eligible for that fund.
Deputy Minister, Infrastructure and Communities, Office of Infrastructure of Canada
Since 2014, through 2018, there has been $139 million allocated to 255 reserves through the gas tax fund.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Minister, your government committed over $1 billion to stage 2 of the poorly managed project of the Ottawa LRT. SNC-Lavalin's bid to get the contract for the Trillium Line had the lowest technical score, yet they were successful. How is this possible?
Liberal
Catherine McKenna Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON
That's a good question. That decision was made, and these decisions are made, at the local level, but I agree that is of concern.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Minister, you don't have answers for this, but do you commit to investigating how the weakest proposal won this, and taking action on it?
Liberal
Catherine McKenna Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON
Overall, I think we need to make sure that our infrastructure dollars—and I've said this previously—have the intended impact. The way the program is structured, which is the way it was decided with the provinces—
Liberal
Catherine McKenna Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON
—was that the decisions would be made at the local level—
