Environment committee  Many provinces opposed impact assessments. They opposed the idea that we should look at climate change when looking at the impacts of projects. I profoundly disagree with that position. They opposed including indigenous nations when we do the impact assessments of projects. I profoundly disagree with that.

Environment committee  This is what we've seen from your government time and time again. You might believe in climate change, but you're not willing to take the action required. This government has continued to invest billions of dollars in carbon capture and storage, which maybe would be fine if the money were going just to direct air capture projects for hard-to-reduce emissions like steel and cement, but you're handing that money to big oil and gas companies that are making record profits.

Environment committee  We've done more—and you've heard that from many environmental leaders in this country, who've recognized publicly that we've done more—than any other government to fight climate change—

Environment committee  Minister, you talked about how Canadians are concerned about the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis. You mentioned the $25-billion slowdown in our economy that is expected because of climate change. Last night, hundreds of youth from across Canada joined us for a town hall on a youth climate corps. We had MPs from across party lines—Ms. May and Mr. van Koeverden were in attendance—and there is a real appetite from young people for this kind of transformative program.

Environment committee  In addition, a wetland is home to Blanding's turtles, which Canada has identified as an endangered species since 2006. The Species at Risk Act is the responsibility of the Department of Environment and Climate Change, and it's directly related to the Chalk River disposal facility. Mr. Minister, are you going to intervene so that at least a regional environmental impact assessment is done for this project, which I feel I should qualify as senseless?

Environment committee  I profoundly disagree with your characterization of Canada's international effort in the fight against climate change.

Environment committee  Before 2015, we were heading towards a world where temperatures were going to rise by 4 degrees Celsius, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the IPCC. Now, thanks to the Paris Agreement and its implementation, we're moving towards a world where temperature increases would be in the order of 2.3 degrees Celsius. For every tenth of a degree Celsius less, we are talking about hundreds of billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases that will never be—

Environment committee  After almost nine years of Liberal government, Canada is now ranked 62nd out of 67 countries in terms of effectiveness in fighting climate change. Are you proud of that record? Are you proud to be the minister representing the country ranked 62nd?

Environment committee  I'm very proud to be Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, as you know very well, Mr. Deltell. I make a sustained effort every day to carry out this role. You know very well that when we came to power in 2015, the forecast showed that Canada was going to miss its 2030 targets by at least 12%.

Environment committee  You have a voice and authority, and your expertise carries a lot of weight in your parties and in your home communities and ridings, ridings with voters who are all experiencing the real impacts of climate change. In the face of biodiversity and climate crises, water management through freshwater restoration and protection strategies is going to be critical to mitigating the risks, threats and impacts of climate change.

Environment committee  Water monitoring and the data it produces are fundamental and key to addressing a myriad of environmental issues, contributing to water research, supporting water management, creating sound water policy and underpinning the economic prosperity of Canada. Climate change adaptation and resilience strategies also will require improved and integrated water monitoring to ensure future prosperity for Canadians. We know that Environment and Climate Change Canada, through its national hydrological service, conducts hydrometric water quantity monitoring across Canada.

Environment committee  There is no question that the global agricultural community is currently facing some enormous challenges, all of which we've heard talked about today: climate change, severe weather conditions, water scarcity and increasing global population. This is all while the amount of arable land available for agriculture is shrinking due to urban expansion.

Environment committee  I'm proud of our minister for being an environmentalist. Those four won't even say “climate change” in this committee. They won't acknowledge the impacts of climate change. So yes, I'm proud to vote against this ridiculous motion.

Environment committee  Yes, rather than asking them questions, since we're done with the witnesses, I was wondering if maybe we could unanimously support the motion to bring the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to appear—

Environment committee  Thanks so much. You've outlined how, when it comes to climate change and water management, the status quo is not working, and you've said that we need this kind of change. The B.C. provincial government has noted commitments to working directly in partnership with first nations and Métis communities on water governance and management.