House of Commons Hansard #201 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Department of Public Works and Government Services Act Report stage of Bill S-222. The bill requires the Minister of Public Works and Government Services to consider environmental benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, when developing requirements for federal construction. It aims to promote the use of wood and other sustainable building materials, highlighting its carbon sequestration and potential for job creation in the forest industry. While widely supported, some desire stronger language to give preference to wood. 8000 words, 1 hour.
Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act Third reading of Bill S-5. The bill, which updates the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, aims to strengthen environmental protection by recognizing the right to a healthy environment and enhancing the management of toxic substances. Key amendments include a commitment to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a focus on vulnerable populations, and a strategy to reduce animal testing. The Conservatives oppose the bill due to an amendment on tailings ponds and hydraulic fracturing, which they view as an intrusion into provincial jurisdiction, while the NDP and Bloc Québécois support the bill, despite some reservations. 31000 words, 5 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24 Members debate the Department of Finance's main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, focusing on the government's economic policies. Discussions include the impact of the carbon tax on inflation and household costs, the government's fiscal responsibility and debt-to-GDP ratio, and investments in climate action and the clean economy. Members also discuss affordability measures like the grocery rebate and dental care plan, as well as housing initiatives and tax fairness. 34300 words, 4 hours.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, sure, I absolutely recognize that very many different types of spending can be inflationary or not, depending on the overall macroenvironment in a country and in the world and depending on how that spending is structured.
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, the government has been spending over $30 billion on the TMX pipeline. It has a $15-billion growth fund. Does the minister share concern that the $30 billion being spent on a pipeline is going to bid up the cost of projects that the growth fund would invest in?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, here the member for Elmwood—Transcona and I probably disagree.
I am very glad that our government made the decision to get the TMX pipeline built. I think it is very important for Canada's national sovereignty that we have a pipeline that goes to the west coast and that the U.S. is not the only destination for our natural resources.
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, is the nature of the disagreement on the fact that $30 billion on the TMX pipeline might bid up the cost of jobs for the growth fund?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I think that when it comes to the TMX pipeline, we probably have many points of disagreement, although I suspect Rachel Notley and I have fewer points of disagreement on the TMX pipeline.
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, I am concerned to know if the minister thinks that the spending on TMX may well bid up the cost of other large infrastructure projects, like those foreseen for the growth fund.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I think the important point on TMX is that the pipeline is very close to completion. We expect that it will be finished by the end of this year. This is an important contribution to Canada's economic sovereignty, and I think all members are aware of this.
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, how much does the government anticipate selling the TMX pipeline for?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, our government, once the pipeline is built, does not intend to be the long-term owner of the asset, and we are going to get good value for Canadians. The other aspect that is important—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, the government is very aware of market interest in the pipeline.
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, how much does that market interest likely dictate it will get for the pipeline?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I want to point to one very important aspect, at least for me when it comes to TMX, and that is indigenous participation, which is something we are working on very energetically with indigenous groups.
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, the government is spending more than double on the TMX pipeline than it is putting into the growth fund. How much does it expect to get for the pipeline?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, as I said, the government will get good value for Canadians from the pipeline. In the world, it is a very valuable, very rare asset and, as I said, contributes essentially to Canada's economic sovereignty.
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, we understand that the terms and conditions of the Stellantis deal are changing. Is that because the government did that initial deal on a handshake, or did it have a written agreement?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, the initial conversations with Stellantis happened before the IRA was passed into law. I think it is very clear that the situation in the world has changed, and so naturally there—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, did the government have a written agreement with Stellantis before the IRA was passed into law?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, obviously the federal and provincial governments had agreements with Stellantis. It is also the case that the IRA has changed the playing field for the whole world. However, the member opposite is right in that the fact that this investment predates the IRA is an important factor.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, as I said, the member is quite right to point out, as I point out as well, that the fact that this agreement predates the IRA—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
