Senator Coyle: It is not in addition to what I asked. I just want an answer to what I asked.

The Hon. the Speaker: Just to remind you, honourable senators, there are no supplementary questions when we have a minister for Question Period, except the one supplementary question that is given to the Leader of the Opposition.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, we welcome today the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P., Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, to answer questions relating to his ministerial responsibilities. Pursuant to the order adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2021, senators do not need to stand. Questions are limited to one minute and responses to one-and-a-half minutes. The reading clerk will stand 10 seconds before the expiry of these times. Question Period will last one hour.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, with leave of the Senate, I move that the message be considered later this day.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, when shall this message be taken into consideration?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, when shall this bill be read the third time?

(On motion of Senator Gold, bill placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting of the Senate.)

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator Cordy, when we left this item yesterday, you were answering questions. Do you wish to continue to answer questions?

Hon. Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P., Minister of Environment and Climate Change: Thank you, senator. That’s an excellent question. You’re right, the government has begun to include the climate assessment piece in all our policies and decisions. We’re in the process of doing that all the way up to the cabinet level. We are currently developing the guidelines and the approach for implementing this principle, which we’re already using in some cases and some departments, but we want this to be whole of government. I hope that, over the next few months, we’ll be able to tell Canadians more about how we’re going to apply this principle to everything the government does.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, let me remind senators that I’ve been asked to adhere strictly to the timelines because we have a long list of senators who want to ask the minister questions. I’ve been strict with the minister and I’m trying to be strict with the questions as well. When I interrupt you, please stop so I can go to the minister for his answer.

My apologies, minister.

[Translation]

Hon. Clément Gignac: Welcome to the Senate, minister. I am very pleased to see you leading this department, given your background.

That being said, because of what is happening in Ukraine, people are re-evaluating Russia as a reliable supplier of oil and gas. I agree with the comments recently made by the Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney, when he said that the world needs more energy to come from liberal democracies. How can Canada successfully achieve its energy transition and target net-zero emissions by 2050, while also responding to this global demand to become a reliable producer? Thank you.

Hon. Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P., Minister of Environment and Climate Change: Thank you, senator. These are excellent questions. In fact, we are very seized with the situation of Parks Canada’s infrastructure. We are working with the Department of Finance to chart a path forward to address these issues as well as the issue of accessibility, which is a very important issue for me and my government as well.

[Translation]

Hon. Patricia Bovey: Welcome, and thank you, minister.

Honourable senators, we know the arts’ roles, impacts and voices are intrinsic throughout society, the environment and climate change being no exception.

Canada’s first environmental artist, in my view, was Emily Carr, heralded throughout the decades for her 1930s and early 1940s important paintings of clear-cuts. Today, artists continue to draw attention to dire environmental concerns while providing positive solutions, actions and partnerships.

Minister, tying your former role as Heritage Minister to your current one as Minister of Environment and Climate Change, how will you engage Canada’s creative sector in your efforts for Canada to meet its climate targets? Will you assist artists and arts organizations financially in bringing those measures forward?

Senator McCallum: Thank you.

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, before calling for the resumption of the bells, I call upon Senator Plett.

Hon. Dennis Glen Patterson: Welcome, minister. Nunavut residents are keenly aware of the impacts of climate change and the need to transition from a wholly diesel-dependent territory to one with alternative energy options, although sadly, we’ve made minuscule progress on that.

When your government introduced the carbon tax, I raised the alarm that this would negatively impact Nunavut in particular. While your government has, thankfully, exempted fuel for intra‑territorial flights from the carbon tax, the sad reality is that Nunavut is solely dependent on cargo flights originating from southern Canada to provide essential goods such as fresh produce. We have no road or rail connections. We already face the highest cost of living in the country, and we are particularly vulnerable to even slight fluctuations in price.

Will your government also include an exemption for jet fuel for flights originating in southern Canada and not just flights originating in the territories?

Senator Plett: Senator McPhedran, I cannot possibly think that Perrin Beatty wanted anybody but Conservatives and Liberals on this committee ever, regardless of what has been said here. So as I said, we all have opinions, and the rights to them. As I said in my speech, and I was quoting somebody, but I will defend to the death your right to have that opinion. I have mine.

The Hon. the Speaker: Senator McPhedran, did you wish to ask a question or enter debate?

Hon. René Cormier: In my region, Atlantic Canada, we are very concerned about soil erosion and its impact on ports and shipping. How is your department working with Transport Canada and Public Safety Canada to support small ports, especially in regions like the Acadian Peninsula, so that this infrastructure can adapt to climate change?

Hon. Kim Pate: Would Senator Griffin take another question?

Senator Griffin: Certainly.