Environment committee  This work not only benefits waterfowl and other wildlife, it also provides Canadians with valuable goods and services because wetlands purify our drinking water, moderate the effects of climate change, reduce risks of flooding and drought, and generally support our well-being. DU works in all provinces and territories, and we have many conservation partners including other conservation groups, such as our sister organizations in the U.S. and Mexico, all levels of government in Canada, federal and state governments in the U.S., hundreds of individual landowners, universities, First Nations, and industry partners from a variety of sectors.

Environment committee  Should we set up a standing committee made up of members from various environmental organizations, including those fighting climate change and those dealing with invasive species?

Environment committee  So that's common, whether we're talking about climate change research or oil sands research. I'd like to focus on the climate change issue for a minute. You make the point in your speaking notes, point 8, about the major impacts on health.

Environment committee  All I would add is that the 2010 and the more recently published 2011 climate change plan do list some of the initiatives the provinces are taking, in one of the annexes of the climate change plan. But certainly it doesn't amount to the $1.5 billion that was allocated.

Environment committee  The policy research initiative organized a meeting with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and they identified that this policy should include climate change. Could you identify if climate change is part of your plan and offer some details about that?

Environment committee  That's how I think it's factored into the strategy. There's some uncertainty around what climate change means, but I think it's really clear that a warming climate means we'll have more alien species.

Environment committee  Mr. McLean, to follow up, I'm a little surprised that we don't specifically have climate change. What's stopping that from being part of your plan? You're identifying rising temperatures, but at the same time the public, NGOs, a series of other organizations, and provinces have all recognized climate change as an identifiable factor in their plans and operations.

Environment committee  We can, but we do have a significant amount of trade with the United States, and with climate change taking place there is going to be species redeployment in areas that we never saw before. I understand that checking the crates is important, but I still think a specific climate change strategy or part of it would be necessary to have a modern plan.

Environment committee  We know there's an increase of $90.3 million to this funding, and as my colleague mentioned, this funding will allow us to develop a “platform to deepen engagement with the United States on climate change issues and enhancing Canada's visibility as an international leader in clean energy technology”. It does sound as if this funding is being allocated to PR, and that's a concern that has been expressed by civil society as well.

Environment committee  The $35 million that was announced was supposed to replace that, but we haven't really seen that yet. Can the minister clarify for committee where this climate change funding has gone?

Environment committee  The clean energy dialogue represents about $1.8 million of a two-year allocation of $5.4 million for renewed international climate change strategies. In each year, Environment Canada will receive about $900,000 for the clean energy dialogue. About $448,000 of that will go to the science and technology group. They are co-chairs of the research and development working group, along with the U.S., and will contribute to projects undertaken by that group.

Environment committee  I'm wondering whether it also includes, in talking about “a platform to deepen engagement with the United States on climate change issues”.... Is the government planning to continue lobbying to weaken the standards that are being considered in the United States, and that might disadvantage Canada, in the absence of any actual greenhouse gas reduction programs of our own, here in our country?

Environment committee  With regard to the major economies group, of which Canada and the United States are continuing members, we work to encourage our fellow parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to move ahead from the Kyoto era and work together to encourage more countries, the United States being a major—

Environment committee  Funding for PEARL is running out and the lab will shut its doors pretty soon—if it hasn't already—which means that a significant taxpayer investment is really just going to be thrown away. We would have thought some of the climate change funding would have been used to support PEARL, but I'm unable to find where this would be. The amount of $35 million was announced to replace the expired funding, but it has yet to materialize.

Environment committee  Some of the efforts that we've undertaken and are reflected in the estimates include: the commitment to reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020; investments in clean technologies, including next generation biofuels and carbon capture and storage; and active and constructive participation in United Nations negotiations to develop a new international climate change agreement. I do think it's fair to say that these estimates reflect our government's intention to work with our partners at home and internationally for the continued protection of Canada's valued and diverse environmental legacy and for the greater advancement of worldwide environmental protection efforts.