Environment committee  So 20,000 people were evacuated from Yellowknife. This requires action to address the adaptation and conservation issues posed by climate change. I will not go through the main estimates line by line, but allow me to mention a few highlights. In all, the 2024-25 main estimates total $2.8 billion. Compared with 2023-24, it adds $314 million more.

Environment committee  Perhaps he'll find the time to come and testify before the committee during those five meetings. We're dealing with a number of very important issues that relate to Environment and Climate Change Canada. The motion states that we want to deal with the Net Zero Accelerator fund and other pressing matters. That's one part of the $8 billion. In addition, there's a lot of debate on the impact of the carbon tax.

Environment committee  There are more than 80 initiatives under the plans for climate change. There are more than 80 programs, and each program has I don't know how many projects. You should not expect me to come here on behalf of all those people without being briefed in advance and have answers about each project that is funded under each program that exists in the federal government.

Environment committee  I was pretty shocked that they seem to find the work on the Species at Risk Act extremely lacking from multiple departments. One thing jumped out for me: Environment and Climate Change Canada had completed only one of the 399 reports that it was required to produce under the act. The environment commissioner had many other criticisms, but I'm curious about the progress since that report came out.

Environment committee  I'm the deputy minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Environment committee  Environment and Climate Change Canada will support Finance Canada in analyzing whatever input is required from companies. It will be Finance Canada that will stipulate the conditions, and I think the Minister of Finance is on record saying that they anticipate providing those details this summer.

Environment committee  I will stop you there, because I'd like you to tell me about emissions control, since you're going to work with the oil and gas companies to calculate emissions. According to a study by Environment and Climate Change Canada and a university—I can't recall which one—the oil and gas industry is not reporting all of its emissions. Its emissions are actually much higher. So you're going to sit down with people from the industry to calculate emissions.

Environment committee  At its foundation, of course, is carbon pricing, and then in some cases there are additional regulatory measures established, primarily either where pricing won't send the right signal or where it won't send the signal adequately because of the trajectory of the sector. In addition to regulatory measures for which Environment and Climate Change Canada is the lead, the government deploys, as you mentioned, a number of other measures, including investment tax credits and direct financial contributions from the net-zero accelerator, etc.

Environment committee  People do need to be made aware of their actions. With respect to the UN conference, a lot of the effort to address climate change is also happening outside Canada. If we don't play an active role in that conference, we won't necessarily be able to influence the decisions that will be made there. Here's an interesting fact as well: At COP28, the delegations included many more people, particularly those from the provinces.

Environment committee  I'd be happy to talk to them if I were in Alberta, but I'm in Ottawa, and I have the deputy minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada in front of me. Can you tell me how many people went to Dubai and how much the department paid Treasury Board for greenwashing after it attended COP28?

Environment committee  I don't know how many people were sent by the various departments. I can tell you that Environment and Climate Change Canada sent 44 people to COP28. It was the same number of people, give or take one or two people, maybe, as it sent to COP27.

Environment committee  Most importantly, thank you for your service to the country in your very important role at Environment and Climate Change Canada. First, I echo what my friend Mr. Mazier said earlier. It's really unfortunate to see that the minister isn't with us today. Sincerely, Mr. Chair, I expected him to be here, since you were very optimistic about it last week.

Environment committee  Over our long history, we have consistently addressed key issues facing our stakeholders and climate change is no exception. Climate change is a critical global issue of our time. It's one that requires significant coordinated effort to drive change and achieve a more sustainable future for all.

Environment committee  The board of directors has access to our full management team, which is highly skilled in climate change, from engineers to experts we rely on in our climate institute and in our management and finance teams. We quite consistently make the board open to meeting with external experts advising the board and explaining to the board the complexity of the journey, how to take the journey and how to think about climate change.

Environment committee  We also enhanced our financed emissions reporting and support for innovative research aimed at moving the needle on climate change. Finally, we are reducing our own emissions. In 2023 we committed to reduce the bank's own greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. This year we reached our goal to have 100% of our electricity come from emission-free sources in Canada.