Mr. Speaker, in response to part (a), figure 5.1 reports emissions from the national inventory report of greenhouse gas sources and sinks in Canada. Cropland emissions are determined using an internationally accepted method, which has been modified to reflect Canadian soils, climate, crops and management practices. It is further adapted based on empirical data collected from research studies across Canada. Included in the emissions from cropland are direct and indirect nitrous oxide from synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizers, crop residue decomposition, cultivation of organic soils, mineralization of soil organic carbon, conservation tillage, irrigation and manure on pasture and rangeland. Additionally, the method estimates nitrous oxide and methane emissions from field burning of agricultural residues as well as carbon dioxide emissions from liming and urea fertilizer application.
In response to part (b), the national inventory report primarily uses survey data provided by Statistics Canada from the census of agriculture, as well as other annual surveys that describe the distribution, yield and acreage of crops across Canada, as well as data from the Statistics Canada fertilizer shipments survey that describes the amount of fertilizer sold. Additionally, the inventory uses surveys on fertilizer use and expert opinion to inform the method.
In response to part (c), figure 5.1 describes the emissions as of 2021. The national inventory tracks annual emissions, starting in 1990. The latest data point now available is 2022, released in early May.