QUESTION PERIOD — Environment and Climate Change
Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment
June 25, 2025
Senator Gold, the Library of Parliament recently produced a report for me on advancing a climate lens in Parliament. The report pointed to the 2024 Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, which modernizes environmental and economic analysis in the development of policies, programs and regulations intended for cabinet. The research found that the regime advances climate mainstreaming and normalizes climate-informed decision making across the government.
As the government moves forward with its promise to strengthen Canada’s economy and prioritize nation-building projects, we know that one key consideration is whether a project contributes to clean growth and to meeting Canada’s objectives with respect to climate change.
Senator Gold, will the government continue to use the 2024 Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment regime when making key cabinet decisions?
Thank you for your question.
I can assure this chamber that as the government builds — and works to help us all build together — a strong economy for the future, it will never lose sight of the importance as well as the choices that its decisions will make on future generations. It will remain mindful of long-term sustainability and the kind of economy and environment we want for those generations. The government will continue to make investments and decisions that will drive emissions down, drive new economic growth across this country and, of course, open new export markets with like-minded countries.
I hope it will continue to use that valuable assessment regime.
Senator Gold, the Library of Parliament report also found that Parliament lacks a comparable framework by which to scrutinize legislation. Would the government consider introducing legislation similar to the Canadian Gender Budgeting Act to mandate a climate decision-making process for the Government of Canada and in Parliament?
Thank you for your question, senator.
I can’t speculate on what future legislation this government may introduce, but I can, again, repeat and reassure this chamber that the government will remain focused on the sustainability of the economic growth we all hope to achieve.
