Catherine McKenna

[The Environment, March 22nd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook for his question.

It is a shame, but our young people are already seeing the impact of climate change in their communities. I am very happy to see them be part of the solution by buying reusable products, reducing waste, using public transit, and preserving natural spaces.

I also strongly encourage young Canadians to submit their bold ideas for clean growth to the North American youth innovation challenge. Winners will receive $5,000 and will have a chance to pitch their innovations to me and my counterparts from Mexico and the United States.

[The Environment, March 21st, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, while in Washington last week, I met with representatives of both U.S. parties, mayors, and environmentalists. I made it very clear that Canada recognizes our obligation to protect the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence.

That is what I told my American counterpart. I was very clear about how vital it is to work with the United States to ensure that the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence remain environmental priorities.

[The Environment, March 21st, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I was in Washington last week on Great Lakes Day where I made it perfectly clear to Americans, to my counterpart, that we need continued American investment in the Great Lakes, that we need to be working together because 40 million people rely on the Great Lakes for clean drinking water. It is an engine of the economy. We cannot have things like Asian carp come and destroy our Great Lakes and we are going to continue pushing with the United States to work to clean up our Great Lakes.

[Taxation, March 21st, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, we are committed to taking action that will grow the middle class and create good jobs. Action on climate change is estimated to grow the world economy by $19 trillion through investments in renewable power and energy efficiency. We understand the need to trade good jobs to protect our environment, grow the middle class, and ensure a more sustainable future for our kids.

[Taxation, March 8th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to stand up on International Women's Day as the first woman elected in Ottawa Centre.

Women across Canada are strongly supportive of climate action. They understand it is necessary to tackle climate change for their children and grandchildren, and also because it will mean good jobs for them in the future.

We are committed to taking climate action. We will continue to move forward because it is the right thing to do, and I would encourage the party opposite to join us.

[Taxation, March 7th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, let me talk about costs.

Let us talk about the cost of inaction when it comes to tackling climate change. We know that the costs right now have risen to $1 billion per year for Canadian taxpayers. That is to cover the costs of floods, that is to cover the costs of forest fires, and that is to cover the costs of droughts.

We know we need to take action on climate change because it is the right thing to do. It will help us ensure that we have a sustainable future, and it will create good jobs and create economic growth.

[Taxation, March 7th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I am going to keep on repeating what I continue to repeat, that putting a price on carbon pollution makes good business sense. It is going to create good jobs. It is going to help create a clean growth economy. It is going to ensure a better future for our kids.

[Taxation, March 7th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to see the member of Parliament for Abbotsford back in the House. I also see there is now a tag team where we have the member for Abbotsford and the member for Carleton saying the same thing.

[Parks Canada, February 24th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, it is important that the treasures that speak to our identity, our history, our culture, and the contributions of indigenous peoples be protected and preserved. Parks Canada is responsible for protecting that heritage.

I am listening and I am prepared to work with my federal colleagues, the City of Quebec, the province, and the staff at Parks Canada in order to ensure that the public and anyone who is interested can access the artifacts in a timely manner.

[Taxation, February 24th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, quite frankly I am perplexed. Does the party opposite not understand that climate change is real, that it is having its impacts, that it is causing floods, and that it is causing droughts in Saskatchewan? Does it not understand that we need to take action because it is the right thing to do? Putting a price on carbon pollution is the most efficient way to reduce emissions, to grow the economy, and to ensure a sustainable future.