Alexandre Lillo, Jesse Zeman, Luxmy Begum and Wyatt Petryshen made statements and answered questions.

Dan Mazier moved, — That, pursuant to the Order of Reference of Thursday, November 9th, 2023, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, appear before the committee for no fewer than two hours to consider the Supplementary Estimates (B) before Friday, December 1st, 2023.

Debate arose thereon.

Adam van Koeverden moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Shafqat Ali, Taylor Bachrach, Sophie Chatel, Lloyd Longfield, Monique Pauzé, Leah Taylor Roy, Adam van Koeverden — 7;

NAYS: Gérard Deltell, Michael Kram, Branden Leslie, Dan Mazier — 4.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

Taylor Bachrach gave notice of the following motion:

That, given the importance of freshwater ecosystem services to the prosperity, sustainability, and resilience of British Columbian communities, and given the increasingly severe impacts of climate change including drought, wildfires, and floods, the committee urge the federal government to match the Government of British Columbia to establish a $1 billion watershed security fund.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

At 12:02 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:07 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $106,450, for the study of freshwater, be adopted.

Robert Sopuck, Andrew Stegemann, Deborah Curran and David O’Connor made statements and answered questions.

Branden Leslie moved, — Given that:

1. Canadian Farmers have some of the most environmentally friendly agricultural operations in the world;
2. The Premiers of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have issued public letters calling on the Senate to urgently pass Bill C-234, a carbon tax carve out for farmers;
3. Bill C-234 will provide relief for farmers struggling with the burden of the Government’s Carbon Tax; and
4. Bill C-234 will help lower food prices for all Canadians across the country.

The committee calls on the Senate of Canada to pass Bill C-234, a carbon tax carve out for farmers, as soon as possible, and reports this to the House of Commons.

Debate arose thereon.

Adam van Koeverden moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Shafqat Ali, Taylor Bachrach, Sophie Chatel, Lloyd Longfield, Monique Pauzé, Leah Taylor Roy, Adam van Koeverden — 7;

NAYS: Gérard Deltell, Michael Kram, Branden Leslie, Dan Mazier — 4.