SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Hon. Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lib.)

Sep/18/23 2:42:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this being my first opportunity to rise since Parliament resumed, I want to offer my deepest condolences to every Canadian who has been impacted by forest fires, to the tens of thousands who have been evacuated this summer because of forest fires and floods. Thank God, tropical storm Lee did not hit as hard as it could have. With the reality of climate change, any responsible government has to invest in climate action and support Canadians in these challenging times. That is exactly what we are doing on this side of the House.

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Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Hon. Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lib.)

Sep/18/23 2:43:19 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, considering the forest fire season we had, not to mention the storms and heat waves happening here in Canada and around the planet, I think some would say that all hope is lost. However, we must fight climate change. We must create good jobs in Canada. We must help Canadians in these difficult times. That is exactly what we on this side of the House are doing. What does the Conservative Party have to suggest? It has absolutely no suggestions to make when it comes to fighting climate change. The Conservatives want to make it free to pollute again. For a party that hopes to form government one day, that position is irresponsible.

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Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Hon. Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lib.)

Sep/18/23 2:44:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my hon. colleague that his party's most recent election platform included a proposal for a clean fuel program. That is exactly what we introduced. The program generates thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment across the country. The Canola Growers Association applauded the program, which will create jobs, particularly in the agricultural sector. What does the Conservative Party have to offer in the fight against climate change? Unfortunately, the only thing it has to offer is hot air.

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Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Hon. Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lib.)

Sep/18/23 2:46:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to read an extract from a press release from the Canola Growers Association. It says, “We’re pleased to see the CFR provides options that would minimize regulatory burden and allow canola to be used to reduce [greenhouse gas] emissions through biofuel production.” There is a “[r]ecognition of the sustainable production practices of Canadian growers that help sequester and store carbon”. Agriculturists are in favour of what we are doing to fight climate change and create a strong and vibrant Canadian economy.

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Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Hon. Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lib.)

Sep/18/23 2:48:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for her question. Unlike the Conservative Party of Canada, I share her concerns about global warming. I would like to remind her that, between 2019 and 2021, Canada had the best record in the G7 in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We cut our emissions by 55 million tonnes, which is 25% of our 2030 target. However, I agree with my colleague that we need to do more, and we need to do it even faster. That is why I will be going to New York this week with the Prime Minister and several colleagues to work with all the countries in the world to speed up the fight against climate change.

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Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Hon. Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lib.)

Sep/18/23 2:50:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. That is why, when faced with the issue of climate change and the increase in natural disasters, we presented the first national climate change adaptation strategy in partnership with the provinces, territories, municipalities and indigenous peoples. This climate change adaptation strategy was applauded by institutions such as Impact Assurance, which said that this was one of the best strategies in the world. The Insurance Bureau of Canada said the same thing. We need to be better prepared for the impacts of climate change. Unlike the Conservative Party, which still believes that climate change does not exist, we have a plan to combat and adapt to climate change.

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Context: House Hansard - 219 - Sep/18/23

Hon. Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Lib.)

Sep/18/23 3:11:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question and her advocacy on this issue. This summer I had the pleasure of spending time with her and citizens who are concerned about the issue of climate change, protecting and conserving our natural habitats and fighting pollution, including pollution caused by plastics. That is precisely why the Prime Minister, some of my other colleagues and I are going to New York to work with our colleagues from the international community in order to find solutions to these three major international crises. In 2023, we cannot claim to be a serious government if we do not address economic development, job creation, affordability and pollution.

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