THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 9, 2025
(4)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources met this day at 8 a.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Joan Kingston, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Aucoin, Fridhandler, Galvez, Kingston, Kutcher, Lewis, Verner, P.C. and Youance (9).

Participating in the meeting: Jesse Good and Avalon Jennings, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, September 25, 2025, the committee began its examination of such issues as may arise from time to time relating to energy, the environment, natural resources and climate change. (Topic: 2024—2025 Reports from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)

WITNESSES:

Office of the Auditor General of Canada:

Jerry V. DeMarco, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development;

Francis Michaud, Director;

Jessica Johnston, Director.

Environment and Climate Change Canada:

Vincent Klassen, Director General, Sustainability Policy, Programs, Operations and Regional Affairs Branch.

Employment and Social Development Canada:

Elisha Ram, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch;

Mercedes Morin, Director Sustainable Development Goals, Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate.

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat:

Andres Velez-Guerra, Executive Director, Results Division, Expenditure Management Sector.

Statistics Canada:

Sébastien Larochelle-Côté, Acting Director General, Socioeconomic Statistics and Social Data Integration.

Natural Resources Canada:

Frank Des Rosiers, Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Efficiency and Technology Sector;

André Bernier, Director General, Electricity Resources Branch;

Andrew Ghattas, Senior Director, Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada:

Georgina Lloyd, Assistant Deputy Minister, Northern Affairs Organization;

Anita Walker, Acting Director General, Natural Resources and Environment Branch.

Indigenous Services Canada:

Paula Hadden-Jokiel, Assistant Deputy Minister, Regional Operations Sector;

Robert Bellizzi, Director, Regional Operations Sector;

Christopher Cornish, Director General, Lands and Economic Development.

Jerry V. DeMarco made a statement and, together with Francis Michaud, André Bernier, Andrew Ghattas and Frank Des Rosiers, answered questions.

At 9:49 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Catherine Cuerrier

Clerk of the Committee