Question Period Notes
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Gazoduq Inc. proposes to construct and operate a 780 km natural gas transmission line from the TC Energy Canadian Mainline in northeastern Ontario to Saguenay, Quebec. The pipeline would connect to a future natural gas liquefaction complex and marine terminal to be constructed by GNL Québec in Saguenay. The project would allow for the export of Alberta-sourced gas to European and Asian markets, with the potential to displace use of higher GHG-emitting energy sources, such as coal. This is one of the first projects to be assessed under the Impact Assessment Act. On July 17, 2020, The Impact Assessment Agency (IAA) issued the Final Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and Plans to the proponent to guide the development of the Impact Statement for the project. The proponent is currently preparing its Impact Statement based on the direction provided in the Guidelines.
LNG Canada, the only liquefied natural gas infrastructure project under construction in Canada, and largest private sector investment in Canada’s history, includes a natural gas liquefaction facility, the Coastal GasLink pipeline, and a marine terminal to export surplus Canadian natural gas to some of the world’s fastest growing economies in Asia. The project recently faced challenges with protests against pipeline development and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it remains on track to begin exporting by 2025.
The Government of Canada has committed $750 million to the Emissions Reduction Fund to help achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 as part of its economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will be launched in October 2020
Canada’s forest sector remains challenged by fibre supply issues, declining demand for paper, and trade issues - challenges that have been intensified by COVID-19. The Government of Canada continues to support innovation, market diversification and Indigenous-led forest projects to secure jobs in rural and Indigenous communities and advance green economic recovery.
Native and invasive pests pose problems when their severity threatens forest health and productivity and affects commercial and ecological forest values. The Government of Canada is working to minimize the damage caused by forest pests such as the Spruce Budworm, Mountain Pine Beetle, and Emerald Ash Borer.
The severity and magnitude of wildland fires and the length of fire seasons are increasing. Experts in wildland fire science and management expect these trends to continue due to our changing climate. Ongoing wildfires in California and recent record wildfires in Australia and Europe underline the need for national and international collaborations. With the provincial states-of-emergency in BC in 2017 and 2018, and the Fort McMurray fire in 2016, wildfire remains a significant concern for provinces, territories and the public, and continues to receive significant media attention.
Canada’s softwood lumber trade dispute with the U.S. is negatively impacting the forest sector’s competitiveness. The Government of Canada is supporting the forest sector through opportunities in innovation, clean technology and the bioeconomy, to create and sustain good jobs and to enhance the sector’s resilience and competitiveness.
Canada committed to using nature-based solutions to help fight climate change – including planting two billion trees to clean the air and make communities greener. The Government of Canada is working to implement the plan to plant two billion incremental trees over the next ten years.
While the mining industry is a key contributor to Canada’s economic well-being, global trade tensions continue to create uncertainly for the global economy and commodity markets. The Government of Canada will continue to support the mineral industry to ensure it remains competitive.
Canada’s allies are concerned about reliance on non-market economies for the minerals and metals required for their manufacturing and defense industrial bases. The EU, the U.S., Japan and Australia are beginning to consider what steps governments can take in cooperation to secure supply chains and ensure that critical minerals are available for sensitive and high technologies used in global defense, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. Canada has the potential to serve as an important supplier of these “critical minerals” and metals, and to develop associated downstream industries.