Senator Coyle: It is not in addition to what I asked. I just want an answer to what I asked.

Hon. Mary Coyle: This is the second half of my question. Thank you for this.

You mentioned, minister, that we will expect and definitely see the delivery of our 2030 emissions reduction plan by the end of this month, and that’s terrific. You have mentioned how the Net‑Zero Advisory Body has been helpful in providing some guidance to government.

We are also expecting some time this year, I believe, a “just transition” plan, and along with that “just transition” plan, there will also be a “just transition advisory body.” My question, which probably I condensed too much, is this: How do you see the relationship between the Net‑Zero Advisory Body and the “just transition advisory body?”

Hon. Mary Coyle: Welcome to the Senate, Minister Guilbeault.

Minister, the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act was passed by both houses last June. It called for the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and the establishment of the Canadian Net-Zero Advisory Body. Could you tell us if we can expect the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan this month? Would you be able to mention any highlights? Also, could you tell us how you see the Net-Zero Advisory Body working with the planned just transition advisory body?

Hon. Mary Coyle rose pursuant to notice of November 24, 2021:

That she will call the attention of the Senate to the importance of finding solutions to transition Canada’s society, economy and resource use in pursuit of a fair, prosperous, sustainable and peaceful net-zero emissions future for our country and the planet.

She said: Honourable senators, I rise today to launch my second climate-related inquiry here in this chamber, on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation, to call attention of the Senate of Canada to the importance of finding solutions to transition Canada’s society, economy and resource use in pursuit of a fair, prosperous, sustainable and peaceful net-zero emissions future for our country and our planet.

The purpose of this inquiry is to investigate, with your contributions, solutions to the most serious challenge and the most compelling opportunity facing our generation and our world today: climate change.

My intention is to first speak about why I am launching this inquiry. I plan to then briefly address the scope of the inquiry and what I hope all of you will contribute as we collectively move this forward. Finally, I will attempt to open up the investigation on one of the key solutions areas, the area of a just transition for people, workers and their communities.

Colleagues, when I sat down to craft the rather convoluted title of this inquiry, I chose each word with great care. When I included the word “peaceful” as a modifier for the net-zero emissions future we are striving for, I was thinking about both the international strife and the potential domestic upheaval that comes from people being seriously harmed and in some cases displaced by the dangerous effects of severe weather events caused by climate change. I was also focused on disruptions for workers, families, communities and whole regions of Canada as our economy undergoes the transformation to net zero.

Colleagues, my concern for a peaceful net-zero future has also been deepened given what we see so blatantly at work today: that powerful, well-networked and well-resourced disinformation machine that is accelerating the churning out of lies in Canada and in every region of the world.

We see that machine at work in Russia as Putin spins his propaganda to justify his brutal invasion of Ukraine. We saw and see that machine at work south of our border drawing millions of Americans into the lie that President Biden did not win the last election.

Colleagues, we see the power of that mendacity machine to influence significant numbers of our fellow Canadians who supported what became illegal blockades and the occupation of Ottawa and to bathe them in a toxic online stew of falsehoods about COVID-19; the efficacy of vaccines; Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms; Canada’s system of government and how political change occurs within it; and the intentional conflation of the Emergencies Act with its long since mothballed predecessor, the War Measures Act.

Colleagues, shockingly that mostly online lie factory is even imploring people:

. . . to focus on Canada not on Ukraine. It’s all a distraction because the real war, the war against your freedom, is happening right now in Canada.

Honourable colleagues, we know that there are people in Canada who are experiencing COVID fatigue. We know there are people who, for various reasons, are hesitant about or opposed to vaccines. We know there are people who disagree with wearing masks, capacity limits and vaccine mandates. And, of course, there are Canadians who have any number of grievances against the current government and its leadership.

Colleagues, I don’t think anyone would argue that people have a right to hold these beliefs, values and opinions and that they have a right to peacefully demonstrate against any policies they don’t agree with and to vote for a different party the next time we have an election if that is their choice. That is not the point. My concern is with the people who are vulnerable to being influenced and possibly incited to act in misinformed ways by these manipulative online perpetrators of false realities.

Colleagues, there were several brilliant articles on this theme in last week’s The Globe and Mail, including Andrew Coyne’s entitled “Our shared reality – and the knowledge that undergirds it – is being assaulted,” and David Shribman’s “From Trump to Putin, the Age of Disruption is now under way.”

Colleagues, why do I raise this concern, and what does it have to do with me launching this climate solutions inquiry at this time? I raise it because we know there has been a history of misinformation and intentional disinformation on matters related to the climate crisis. We also know that the effective widespread promotion of lies can result in unleashing the dangerously explosive trinity of fear, anger and division.

Colleagues, what we need now more than ever is confidence in the evidence, and we need unity as we face the burning imperative to meet our climate commitments. Just this week, the IPCC released its latest report, which further underlined the urgency to act on climate.

Ko Barrett, IPCC vice-chair, said, “. . . every fraction of a degree of warming matters and every action helps.”

We need all hands on deck and all boats sailing as quickly as possible in the direction of net zero. We do not need any disinformation tsunamis to blow us off course and distract us from our urgent climate action.

Julia Langer, CEO of The Atmospheric Fund, states that we have to match eco-anxiety with eco-action.

Colleagues, a whole-of-society approach, one which is focused on solutions and practical action, and one which encourages the engagement of Canadians rather than stoking fear, alienation and division, is what we need now, and that requires leadership from many quarters. My hope for this inquiry is that we can demonstrate our Senate leadership role in this critical undertaking.

Colleagues, we know that the next stage of the transition to net zero will require governments, the private sector and civil society to act at a scope, scale and speed that is unprecedented.

We know that governments have a central and essential role to play in establishing the right conditions for meeting our climate targets. Governments can adjust or create new regulations. They can employ the tax system. They can make strategic investments. They can provide industrial incentives and they can take measures to ensure that no one is left behind.

Honourable colleagues, with the launch of this inquiry, it is my intention today to set the table with places for every senator who would like to contribute to this climate solutions feast. As we fill this metaphorical inquiry table with climate solutions, some of you might be interested in speaking to comprehensive pathways or road maps to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Some colleagues will be keen to focus on adaptation and resiliency solutions. Others could sharpen their pencils and examine the costs of the required climate action or look at the economic opportunities side of the ledger.

Some will want to focus on the role that Indigenous peoples can and should play in determining, developing, implementing and benefiting from climate solutions. Colleagues will have important northern, coastal, regional, provincial and municipal perspectives to bring to the table. Colleagues will have something to offer on the critical area of the energy transition; on coal, oil and gas, clean fuels, wind, solar, hydro, hydrogen, nuclear, geothermal, tidal; on battery technology, strategic minerals, carbon capture; on energy and electricity distribution systems; on the potency of efficiency solutions of all types; and on the role of artificial intelligence.

Given our Canadian advantage, some colleagues will have contributions in the area of nature-based solutions: our forests, oceans, grasslands, soils and the importance of agriculture to our net-zero future; decarbonization of industry, of transportation of all types, of buildings and the innovation drivers required to make it all happen; the power and the role of the private finance sector in the net-zero equation; carbon pricing and how it relates to other incentives and disincentives.

Certain colleagues will want to probe global matters: global competitiveness and business and trade opportunities, supports and investments in developing countries, climate migration and refugee solutions as well as the importance of global alliances.

With all eyes on Ukraine and Russia at this time, we are reminded of the link between climate and national and international security as well as the matter of energy security.

Colleagues, we have room for all kinds of climate solutions and a place for you at the table.

As mentioned earlier, the final section of my inquiry intervention today introduces the concept of a just transition: finding innovative and effective ways to ensure the people, communities and regions most closely impacted by the transition to a net-zero economy are considered, have a voice and are supported.

In its June 2021 initial observations report, Canada’s new Net‑Zero Advisory Body recommended a “seize the upsides” approach, stating that climate action is a net creator of jobs and economic benefits and has the potential to advance justice if done right. No one should be left behind because of where they live, work or their identity.

In his former role as President of the Canadian Labour Congress, our colleague Senator Yussuff said:

Labour will be looking to the federal government to make good on its commitment to supporting local job creation, skills training, apprenticeships and decent wages for workers, especially to those historically underrepresented in the skilled trades sector, including Indigenous workers, racialized workers and women. . . . Canada needs strong Just Transition measures to assist workers in resource communities and fossil fuel-dependent economies to access new job opportunities in clean energy, green transportation, efficient buildings and conservation . . .

Honourable senators, the Liberals promised to introduce just transition legislation as part of their 2019 election platform. An engagement process was launched in July 2021. A report and just transition legislation are expected soon, as well as the creation of a just transition advisory body. These will be foundational for Canada’s just transition plan, which one would expect to operate in tandem with the expected emissions reduction plan due later this month.

The IndustriAll Global Union, which represents 50 million workers in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors, outlines what their trade unions are looking for in a just transition. One, a social dialogue, and with that, ensuring that there is a seat at the table for workers. Two, industrial policies and plans that are sustainable. They call for public policy developed in the public interest with a goal to create decent work. And three, labour market adjustment programs that recognize the importance of customization; one size definitely does not fit all in a successful just transition.

Honourable senators, there are many examples of just transition strategies in other countries, as well as our own early and current experiences with transitioning from coal in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Alberta to learn from. Getting Canada’s just transition right is imperative. It is complex, and so much depends on Canada’s ability to pursue the right future-focused economic opportunities. At the same time, our net-zero future rides on the success of the just transition strategy. We need a lot of attention on job creation opportunities, and we need to ensure Canadians in all regions are well equipped for those jobs.

Honourable colleagues, as I move towards the conclusion of this first intervention, I want to again extend an invitation to each of you to participate and contribute your climate solutions perspectives to this inquiry. The Senate of Canada’s engagement on climate matters. We have a collective opportunity to take a leadership role in examining and influencing action on the defining issue of this century.

Honourable senators, two years ago, I heard former Governor General David Johnston speak about shared responsibility of parliamentarians as builders of trust in our democratic institutions, referring to trust as the glue and the grease in our society that keeps us together and helps us to move forward. Honourable senators, I believe by demonstrating our sincere engagement on climate solutions and our collective commitment to helping Canada transition to a fair, prosperous, sustainable and peaceful net-zero future, we can contribute to building that trust. Honourable senators, Canadians expect that of us. Thank you, and Wela’lioq.

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