The committee met to study the 2025-26 supplementary estimates (C) for Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Parks Canada Agency. Appearing were Minister Julie Dabrusin and officials Andrew Campbell, Tara Shannon, Alison McDermott, Kurt Chin Quee, Terence Hubbard and Megan Nichols.
Minister Dabrusin outlined the estimates, which include a net increase of $4.8 million for Environment and Climate Change Canada, partly for high-performance computing and climate awareness, and $10.9 million for Parks Canada, largely for the Canada Strong Pass renewal and Jasper National Park rebuilding. She emphasized that environmental and economic policy are complementary and that industrial carbon pricing creates innovation incentives and market access, adding that the government is working with provinces on "one project, one review" agreements.
Andrew Campbell stated that Parks Canada has updated fire management plans after the Jasper fire, with 44 vegetation management initiatives nationally, including 140 hectares of risk reduction in Banff and a 2.5-kilometre buffer around Jasper. He noted that about 50% of Jasper's housing has approved rebuilding plans, zero permits are outstanding, and delays are mainly due to insurance and builder quote issues, not permitting.
Tara Shannon confirmed that 31 projects for species at risk were recently announced, describing them as small, community-based initiatives with targeted outcomes.
Alison McDermott explained that investments under the national adaptation strategy, in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, support community climate resilience through the green municipal fund, with over $530 million for adaptation projects.
Kurt Chin Quee reported that the $381.8-million reduction in the enhanced nature legacy fund and cuts to the low-carbon economy fund are due to sunsetting initiatives, with renewal decisions pending through the Department of Finance. He said departmental plans were expected to be tabled shortly.
Terence Hubbard noted that the Impact Assessment Agency has worked with Nova Scotia and the offshore energy board on a regional assessment for offshore wind, and a co-operation agreement with the province is under public comment. He declined to provide a 20-page document related to a liquefied natural gas project, citing that it is not an agency document.
Megan Nichols stated that funding for plastics policies is available until the end of 2026-27 but did not have exact details on hand.
A motion was moved to invite former Net-Zero Advisory Body members Simon Donner and Catherine Abreu to appear, and to request production of briefing materials and expenditure documentation. After debate, an amendment was adopted to extend the production timeline to 45 days, and the motion was adopted as amended. The meeting adjourned without further business.
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