Debates of Dec. 7th, 2021

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2021-22

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, when?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Madam Chair, my colleague heard me.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, when?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Madam Chair, I do not know whether my colleague at this point is doing theatre or actual parliamentary work.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, when is she enacting CUSMA?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

I have answered the question, Madam Chair.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, she just had it whispered to her, “I've answered the question.” When is she enacting CUSMA, which she has not answered?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Madam Chair, my colleague has been asking the same question and, of course, I have answered all of these questions.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, she just announced that she would be enacting chapter 10 under CUSMA with regard to the softwood lumber dispute. When?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Madam Chair, to make sure that we make things work in this democracy and—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, this is frankly embarrassing.

When is the foreign affairs minister of Canada enacting chapter 10 under CUSMA, as was announced two weeks ago by the finance minister? Who is in charge of our foreign relations?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Madam Chair, of course it is important that we fight for the jobs in the softwood lumber industry. That is exactly what we are doing. We are doing it in a very—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, I think I am fighting for jobs here. She should have a clear answer.

When is she enacting chapter 10 under CUSMA regarding the softwood lumber agreement?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Madam Chair, my colleague should also remember what her leader said during the CUSMA negotiations. They wanted to capitulate. We were able to have a strong view and that is why we are able to fight for the jobs right now.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Madam Chair, last time we had a softwood lumber agreement in Canada was under a Conservative government. The Liberal government has failed softwood lumber workers for six years.

I have a very simple question for my colleague. She has announced tonight she intends to enact chapter 10. When?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Madam Chair, people watching us right now must know that the government is there for the softwood lumber jobs and we will continue to fight for them.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Madam Chair, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, I am pleased to rise in the House.

As many members know, the supplementary estimates (B) is the second opportunity for departments and agencies to adjust their 2021-22 main estimates. I am particularly proud to speak to the 2021 and 2022 supplementary estimates for Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Parks Canada Agency because I believe that, when it comes to Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Parks Canada Agency, the value of their work cannot be overestimated and should not be underappreciated. On this point, I am certain that we have broad consensus in the House.

The triple crisis of the pandemic, rapid biodiversity loss and climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. While the current pandemic is more immediate, our recovery cannot be short-sighted. The world is shifting to a cleaner and greener economy, and we know it is necessary. To remain competitive and to ensure a more resilient, equitable and prosperous future, we must ensure that our path forward keeps 1.5°C in sight and aligns with achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Because the current biodiversity, climate and health crises are all interconnected, scientific research shows we must also ensure much more of our natural environment is protected. It is what science tells us we must do if we are to avoid the worst impacts of a changing climate. It is what Canadians expect us to do. The public will for doing more and moving faster has never been more clear.

Working together with all residents of Canada to create the conditions that align our policies and actions toward these ambitions is one of the highest priorities of Environment and Climate Change Canada. We have enshrined our goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 into law and established an accountable and transparent process to get us there. We have also submitted Canada's enhanced nationally determined contribution with the target to reduce emissions by 40% to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030, reflecting both the scale of the climate challenges and the economic opportunity that climate action presents, and we are certainly making progress.

We have a world-leading carbon pricing and rebate system, and one of the most detailed climate plans in the world. We have methane regulations for the oil and gas sector, regulations to accelerate the phase-out of coal and economy-wide standards for cleaner fuel. We are making record-level investments in public transit, electrification and nature-based solutions. In addition, we are investing in nature-based climate solutions; restoring and conserving ecosystems such as wetlands, peatlands and grasslands.

We are also working in partnership with indigenous peoples to achieve these ambitions, as their participation is key to meeting our target of conserving 25% of Canada's land and 25% of its oceans by 2025, and then working toward conserving 30% by 2030, as well as achieving our climate targets and net-zero by 2050.

At COP26 last month, we made commitments to go even further. We committed to put in place a cap on greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector as well as committing to the transition to a net-zero electricity grid by 2035. There is no single, simple solution. Rather, all of these initiatives taken together have put us on track to meet our targets.

There is still much more that needs to be done, which brings us to the supplementary estimates (B) for Environment and Climate Change Canada. The department's submission amounts to a net increase of $135.6 million, bringing its total authorities to $2 billion.

From these funds, $105.2 million will be used to conserve Canada's land and fresh water, protect species, advance indigenous reconciliation and increase access to nature. These funds will help to implement the enhanced nature legacy initiative and respond to the biodiversity crisis and pressures for a sustainable recovery.

These also include an increase of $9.9 million to drive a whole-of-government implementation of Canada's strengthened climate plan and lead government-wide efforts to develop further climate actions to advance Canada's international priorities on environment and climate, as announced at COP26.

It also takes into consideration $2.1 million for Canada's new marine conservation targets to meet Canada's target of protecting 25% of our oceans by 2025. The department's 2021-22 supplementary estimates (B) also seeks $6.5 million to implement a new, one-year “Our Healthy Environment and Economy” advertising campaign. This will help mobilize the full breadth of Canada's ingenuity and engage and inspire Canadians with a sense of confidence that, as a nation, we can do this. It includes $6.4 million to support the net-zero advisory body and the net-zero challenge to help companies develop plans to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Finally, it includes $3.2 million to address imminent threats to the wood bison and $2.4 million to implement the Wood Buffalo National Park world heritage site action plan. I have actually spent time in the area near Fort Chipewyan, and I can tell members that in the Wood Buffalo National Park, the wood bison specifically is a species that we do not want to lose.

The Parks Canada Agency's protected areas and national historic places play a vital role in conserving natural and cultural heritage, fighting climate change and biodiversity loss, and providing Canadians with opportunities to learn more about iconic cultural and natural settings. As Canadians continue to do their part to limit the spread of COVID-19, we know that spending time in nature and outdoors offers important health and wellness benefits at a difficult time for everyone.

Through the 2021-22 supplementary estimates (B), the Parks Canada Agency is seeking to increase its reference levels by $131.4 million. The majority of this amount, to a maximum of $71.7 million, will be available, if required, to support the agency for revenue losses from April 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021. These revenue shortfalls are mainly related to visitor service fees, sales of rights and permits, and sales of services for the first six months of the 2021-22 fiscal year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This amount also includes a request for almost $47.5 million to conserve Canada's lands and fresh water, protect species, advance indigenous reconciliation and increase access to nature. Included is a request for an internal reallocation of $42.7 million to support the creation, expansion and designation of new national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas and other protected heritage areas. As well, an additional $4.4 million in funding will support the implementation of the Wood Buffalo National Park world heritage site action plan. On top of this, the agency is also seeking through this funding just over $3.9 million to address imminent threats to wood bison. Finally, this funding request takes into consideration an ask for a little more than $3.6 million to implement Canada's new marine conservation targets.

All of these requests will go a long way in helping to ensure a cleaner, more resilient, equitable and prosperous future for all residents of Canada today and well into the future. I thank members of this House for their time, and I encourage all to support these estimates.

Madam Chair, small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy, no doubt. These employers must comply with a wide array of rules and regulations. While most regulations protect the public, some have become outdated. We need to keep the rules current to allow businesses to thrive.

How will funding for the external advisory committee on regulatory competitiveness reduce burdens on businesses?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board]

Madam Chair, we need to make sure that we improve regulations, and make sure that they do not have red tape that they do not need, so that they are able to thrive in our country.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Madam Chair, everyone has the right to live free from violence. However, unacceptably, too many people in Canada continue to experience violence every day because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. This issue has only been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic in communities across the country.

How does the funding in the supplementary estimates advance the national action plan to end gender-based violence?

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Madam Chair, I thank my hon. colleague for the important mandate we have been given as a government to continue to put gender equality at the heart of our work. Since day one we have done this, and we will continue, for example, to advance the national action plan to end gender-based violence with more investments in our communities.

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Madam Chair, to the Minister of Tourism, in my riding, I have seen many businesses that are essential to the fabric of our local economy struggling throughout this pandemic. I know the minister has been working on this file and listening to many of our small businesses, which are essential in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Could the minister update us on what is being done for those small businesses across Canada?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Madam Chair, we have put $15 billion into the tourism sector, and 180,000 workers have been supported in tens of thousands of businesses. We can add to that the billion dollars in budget 2021 and the tourism relief fund, which will be distributed through the regional development agencies.

We are here for the tourism sector. We will continue to be here.