Hon. Rosa Galvez: My question is for the Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy.

[English]

Senator Wallin, last month, I had the opportunity to speak at the Global Parliamentary Forum of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, or IMF, in Washington where the buzz was all about the opportunities around the race to net zero.

The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, has turbocharged both business investment and emissions reduction south of the border. I understand your committee is undertaking a study on business investment in Canada. Witnesses for this study have spoken both about how the U.S. IRA impacts us and about the opportunities associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy, which include technological and business innovation in renewables, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, agriculture and sustainable finance broadly. Investing in these areas cannot only help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change, but also can provide a competitive advantage and financial return for investors. This is happening in developing nations all over.

Considering the importance and relevance of these topics to business investment in Canada, does your committee plan to hear witnesses who specialize in these key areas? If yes, can you elaborate? Thank you.

Hon. Rosa Galvez: Thank you, Senator Downe, for your question and for raising this issue.

Your question reminds me of when, invited by the Canadian Navy, I went to the Arctic and I asked sailors if they could identify cruise ships. They said, of course, they could because cruise ships leave a trail of garbage floating behind them.

It is essential that all sectors prioritize sustainable practices to ensure that, on one hand, they provide economic benefits, but on the other hand, that they prevent pollution and minimize the impact on the health of Canadians, the environment and vulnerable communities.

I believe you addressed your questions to me because we are talking about pollution and the environment. Your question raised a point on policy and regulations. I think it is important to note that.

In 2019, the Canadian Navigable Waters Act was adopted. It aimed to strengthen the environmental protection of navigable waters on which the public has the right to travel. Its implementation is under the responsibility of the Transport Department. In its mandate letter, the Minister of Transport must ensure that Canada’s transportation system supports the government’s ambitions, economic growth and job creation, while building a transportation system that is safe and reliable, facilitates trade and the movement of people and goods and is more environmentally sustainable.

On the other hand, the mandate of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is to ensure that “Canada’s oceans and other aquatic ecosystems are protected from negative impacts,” including those of the tourism industry. The mandate letter of the minister mentions the priority of protecting Canada’s three ocean waterways, ensuring they remain healthy for future generations, and providing economic opportunities to Canadian and coastal communities.

As you can see, ensuring pollution prevention and that polluters pay — in this case, pollution arising from solid and liquid waste produced and discharged by the tourist cruise ships — is a transversal issue under the responsibility of Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Now, I speak for myself, but I believe that the Energy Committee members would all be concerned by the pollution caused by the tourist cruise ships. In fact, pollution, the environment and the economy are interconnected and transversal issues to several of the Senate committees’ missions. In fact, I raised this point during my testimony to the Standing Senate Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament.

Senator Downe, your concerns are very real, and the situation should be redressed as soon as possible. Because it deals with the operation of cruise ships, the Transport and Communications Committee would be a more appropriate leader of what should be a pluri-disciplinary study involving three or more of our Senate committees.

Thank you.