Catherine McKenna

[Parks Canada, June 16th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, our government is absolutely committed to the ecological integrity of our national parks. That is my first priority as a minister.

We are working very hard in all of our parks, including Jasper National Park. I look forward to talking to the member further about this and seeing how we can move forward.

[The Environment, June 16th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, the low-carbon economy fund will support the best and most innovative ideas to reduce our emissions for the good of our children and grandchildren and will create good jobs. This will support projects that will make our homes and buildings more efficient, help companies innovate and access technologies to reduce their emissions, and help the forest and agriculture sectors enhance their capacity to capture carbon and to reduce emissions. I am excited to move forward on this key pillar in supporting our pan-Canadian framework on clean growth and climate change. It is about a more sustainable and cleaner future for our kids and grandkids.

[Taxation, June 16th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear to the member opposite. As we have repeated over and over, all revenues that are received to better put a price on pollution go directly back to the province.

Let me also be clear that 80% of Canadians live in a jurisdiction where, through the leadership of the provinces, there is already a price on pollution. We are very hopeful that every province will step up, do the right thing, put a price on what we do not want, pollution, and foster what we do want, clean jobs, innovation, and a more sustainable future for our kids.

[Natural Resources, June 16th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the party opposite, we understand that the environment and the economy go together. That is why we are putting a price on pollution that will reduce what we do not want, which is pollution, and foster what we do want, which is innovation, clean growth, and good jobs.

We also approved two pipelines, which the party opposite was unable to do. We understand that the environment and the economy go together. We want a more sustainable future for our kids, and we want clean growth and good jobs.

[Indigenous Affairs, June 8th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member opposite for his advocacy on behalf of parks but also with respect to indigenous peoples. There is no more important relationship than our relationship with indigenous peoples. We take very seriously our duty to accommodate and consult in accordance with our constitutional and international obligations. I will look into this matter and I commit to get back to the member as soon as possible.

[Taxation, June 8th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I was very proud the other day when all members of Parliament but one voted in favour of the Paris agreement. We are showing that Canada is committed to serious climate action. We understand that as part of any serious plan, we need to have a price on pollution.

I would ask the party opposite if it supports putting a price on pollution, fostering the innovation we need to create good jobs and grow our economy.

[Paris Agreement, June 6th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, I am not going to talk about the previous government. I would prefer to talk about all of the action we have taken. We understand we need to be working with the provinces and territories, businesses, indigenous peoples, labour, environmentalists, and all Canadians. That is how we developed our made-in-Canada climate plan. That is how we are going to tackle climate change. That is how we are going to do our part, and show leadership in the world. That is how we are going to ensure a more sustainable future for our kids and grandkids.

[Paris Agreement, June 6th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, the member opposite and I have worked very closely together on many environmental issues, and I know he cares passionately about the environment and understands the need to tackle climate change. We are absolutely committed to reducing fossil fuel subsidies. We removed some subsidies in this budget, and we are committed to doing it in line with the international community agreements that were made.

[Paris Agreement, June 6th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague across the floor that the only reason greenhouse gas emissions went down is that their government failed to grow the economy.

We want to grow the economy while reducing emissions. One reason greenhouse gas emissions have gone down is that the Government of Ontario closed its coal plants.

Let me repeat that, so we are all 100% clear. The reason emissions went down in Canada under the previous government is because there was a recession, and it could not grow the economy, and because Ontario phased out coal-fired plants. That is not a plan.

[Paris Agreement, June 6th, 2017]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question.

I know that he recognizes that climate change is real and that we must all work together on developing a solid plan. I am very pleased to talk about our solid plan. We worked with the provinces and territories to announce a Canada-wide plan to combat climate change. This includes a price on carbon across the country. This includes reducing coal emissions and making historic investments in green infrastructure and public transit.

We are working with indigenous peoples to reduce their dependence on diesel. Our budget recognizes that we must invest in clean technologies.