Question Period Note: NRCan Priorities Outlined in 2021-22 Departmental Plan

Departmental Plans were tabled by the President of the Treasury Board in the House of Commons on Monday, February 22 (TBC).
NRCan’s Departmental Plan supports the natural resource industry and Canadians in its recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 while moving forward on a strengthened climate plan.

• Building more competitive, efficient, resilient and inclusive natural resources sectors remains critical as Canada recovers from COVID-19 impacts.
• NRCan’s 2021-22 Departmental Plan outlines how we will support post-pandemic economic recovery and a strengthened climate plan for Canadians.
• We will accelerate the development and adoption of clean technology and transition to a net-zero future by:
o investing $150M over three years through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program to make charging and refueling stations more accessible.
o delivering on new investments to grow Canada’s clean fuels market, including early actions outlined in the Hydrogen Strategy for Canada.
• We will also continue to advance reconciliation, build relationships, and share economic benefits with Indigenous peoples.
• NRCan will promote a diverse and inclusive workforce while supporting resource communities through, for example, our Science and Technology Internship Program under our government’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy.
• We will help protect Canadians from the impacts of natural and human-induced hazards and support climate action.
o For example, through an investment of $3.16B over 10 years, my department will partner with other levels of government, non-government organizations, Indigenous communities, private landowners and others to plant two billion trees.
Supplemental Messages:
• NRCan’s programs actively support our government’s Gender Results Framework for economic participation and prosperity, education and skills development, and poverty reduction health and well-being.
• For example, the Clean Energy in Rural and Remote Communities and Indigenous Forestry Initiative, addresses systemic barriers related to accessing capital funding or capacity building, supporting greater participation of Indigenous communities in the energy and forest sectors.
• Our Science and Technology Internship Program has also advanced removing systemic barriers to employment experienced by Indigenous youth and youth living in northern and remote communities.
o As a result, in the past year, we have already seen an increase in the participation of Indigenous youth in the program from five to 12 percent.
• Advancing equality is an ongoing and collaborative process, and data capacity is an important piece to monitoring our progress. NRCan will continue to strive for excellence in the value we provide to all Canadians.

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