The committee met to study the spring 2026 reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, focusing on flood hazard mapping, climate resilience of federal assets, and the federal response to avian influenza. Appearing were Commissioner Jerry V. DeMarco and principals Susie Fortier and Marie-Pierre Grondin from the Office of the Auditor General, along with officials from Natural Resources Canada, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Fisheries and Oceans, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and National Defence.
Commissioner DeMarco presented the audit findings, stating that Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Public Safety Canada were slow to produce and share flood hazard maps, with many incomplete and not prioritizing high-risk areas, while Public Safety Canada's flood risk portal did not integrate climate change considerations. He also reported that the Treasury Board Secretariat failed to publicly report on climate resilience for eight years, and that National Defence, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada made little progress translating climate risk assessments into action. On avian influenza, he noted that while the Canadian Food Inspection Agency successfully eliminated the virus from sampled premises, documentation was weak, Environment and Climate Change Canada's surveillance of migratory birds lacked dedicated funding and targeting of species at risk, and the Public Health Agency of Canada purchased an oversupply of human vaccines, with over 95% expiring unused.
Rinaldo Jeanty from Natural Resources Canada defended the flood mapping program, stating that over 450 maps have been completed and that the department is on track to exceed its target of 1,000 maps by 2028, with all spending prioritized on high-risk areas identified collaboratively with provinces and territories. He disagreed with the characterization that the 2022 federal prioritization list was not used, explaining it was a preliminary tool to start conversations with provinces, which have jurisdiction over mapping.
Susie Fortier from the Office of the Auditor General noted that Quebec's approach to flood mapping was adapted to its needs and that the audit reviewed technical requirements in place there. She also confirmed that the Ouranos group in Quebec is a source of expertise for the audit office but was not audited directly.
Marie-Pierre Grondin from the Office of the Auditor General explained that the greening government strategy's focus shifted in 2024 to long-term resilience, creating a perception of ample time, but emphasized that adaptation is a lengthy process requiring concrete action. She added that two of three essential elements of the national adaptation strategy remain missing, including bilateral action plans with provinces.
Kenza El Bied from Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness stated that the flood risk awareness portal cost $11.5 million and is available in a basic version, but the main feature—searching an address for flood risk—is not yet functional because provinces have not opted in, with no timeline for when they will. She acknowledged the data is based on present-day conditions and does not account for climate change, but said a new open-source model is being developed with academic partners for 2029, and she disagreed that the portal is a failure, calling it a useful tool for Canadians.
Candice Wood from Fisheries and Oceans Canada described how small craft harbours integrate climate resilience into asset management by using the latest codes and standards and internal tools to project sea-level rise, particularly for long-lived infrastructure like breakwaters.
Cathy Furness from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency outlined best practices for controlling avian influenza outbreaks, including early identification, movement controls, stamping-out procedures, and producer biosecurity, and stated that the risk to domestic poultry remains ongoing, particularly during spring and fall migrations, with planning efforts increasing.
Kerry Robinson from the Public Health Agency of Canada explained that the 870,000 doses of H5N1 vaccine were procured primarily for pandemic readiness, covering a maximum of 1% of the population, and that the 95% wastage is similar to other countries like Finland, which had uptake under 5%. She said a new decision-making framework is being developed to guide future procurement, and that vaccine distribution tracking has been improved by integrating it into the agency's warehouse management system.
Sarah Evans from National Defence stated that the department takes climate resilience seriously, with $19 billion over five years for infrastructure investments, and that regional base plans and a green building directive incorporate climate change vulnerability assessments. She identified coastal erosion, rising sea levels, and high rainfall as key risks to defence assets.
The committee approved a supplementary budget of $4,500 for witness travel and accommodation related to the net-zero advisory body briefing.
AI-generated summary — may contain errors; verify against the official evidence.