Appearance before the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development – December 04, 2024

Scenario note

In-person appearance

Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Location: TBC
Arrival: 15 minutes before the appearance

Event description

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Deputy Minister Jean-François Tremblay, has been invited to appear before the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI) along with the Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) to speak to the Net-Zero Accelerator Fund.

At 4:30 p.m., the Deputy Minister of ISED will deliver a 5-minute opening statement. ECCC’s Deputy Minister will not deliver opening remarks. Committee members, beginning with a representative from the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) will begin with questions immediately thereafter.

Following the first hour of discussion, the Committee will proceed “in camera” (ie not public) for the second half of the meeting.  Anything discussed during this portion of the meeting must stay within those who are present. No one is to discuss any aspect of the “in camera” proceedings once the meeting has completed.

At the table during the two-hour session

ECCC officials

• Jean-François Tremblay, Deputy Minister, Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Vince Ngan, Assistant Deputy Minister, Climate Change Branch
• Ramsey Wright, A/Director General, Programs Directorate

ISED officials

• Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy Minister
• Stephanie Tanton, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Innovation Fund
• Milenka Mitrovic, Acting Director General, Business Development and Strategy Branch, Strategic Innovation Fund (also as Chair of the GHG Working Group)
• Denis Martel, Director General, Networks and Partnerships Branch, Strategic Innovation Fund
• Jean-Francois Courtois, Executive Director, Business Development and Investment Attraction Division, Strategic Innovation Fund (as Chair of the SIF Investment Review Committee)

CESD office

• Jerry DeMarco, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
• Other officials TBC

Official Invitation – Adam Borden will send out an official invitation to all officials ensuring that all pertinent information is contained within their respective schedules once all details related to the Committee appearance are confirmed.

Event timeline

Time (EST) 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m

Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development’s agenda

Francis Scarpaleggia, Chair of ENVI, welcomes the Commissioner, Deputy Ministers and senior departmental officials.

The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development will likely deliver a 5 minute opening statement followed by Mr. Bilodeau for 5 minutes leading to a question-and-answer session in public, before moving to the in camera portion about halfway through.

1st round of questions
The Chair opens the floor to a round of 6 minutes of questions beginning with a member of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC), followed by a representative of the Liberal Party, ECCC critic for the Bloc Québécois (BQ) and finally the ECCC critic for the New Democratic Party (NDP).

2nd and subsequent rounds of questions
Conservative Party, five minutes; Liberal Party, five minutes; Bloc Québécois, two and a half minutes; New Democratic Party, two and a half minutes; Conservative Party, five minutes; Liberal Party, five minutes.

Logistics Contact from ECCC: Adam Borden
Senior Parliamentary Affairs Officer
Parliamentary Affairs Unit
Mobile: 613-716-7971
Email: adam.borden@ec.gc.ca

Net Zero Accelerator Initiative

Q1 - What is the Net Zero Accelerator Initiative?

• As part of the Strategic Innovation Fund, the Net Zero Accelerator Initiative (NZA) will provide up to $8 billion in funding to projects in Canada and is designed to balance near-term existing operational facilities’ emissions reductions with long-term industrial transformation to net zero. It supports Canada’s strengthened climate plan, which has as its goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% to 45% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
• The initiative supports projects that promote the decarbonization of large emitters, accelerate industrial transformation, and advance clean technology development and Canada’s battery ecosystem.
• The initiative will help Canadian businesses seize new opportunities as the world builds a greener global economy.

Q2. What role does Environment and Climate Change Canada have in the initiative?

• The Minister’s mandate letter reads in part “… Support the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry in the implementation of the Net Zero Accelerator initiative, with an emphasis on ensuring that investments drive industrial transition and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions on a scale consistent with achieving Canada’s climate goals and meaningfully transform Canadian industry to lead and compete in a net-zero emissions future…”.
• The Minister of Environment and Climate Change supports the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry in the implementation of the initiative including by providing advice and perspective in the context of strategic investments to support Canada’s climate plans.

Q3. What does Environment and Climate Change Canada do in the context of the ISED- administered Net Zero Accelerator Fund?

• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) supports Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) in the implementation of the Strategic Innovation Fund’s Net Zero Accelerator by providing technical advice and perspective in the context of strategic investments to support Canada’s climate plans.
• ECCC is engaged in the Net Zero Accelerator initiative at various levels, ranging from Ministerial support to evaluation of emission reductions and due diligence reviews of applications including:
  • Co-chairing the Greenhouse Gas Interdepartmental Working Group alongside ISED to evaluate emission reductions.
  • Participating in the Directors General Investment Review Committee, where the department provides advice and guidance on contributions to NZA projects. Retained projects then advance for further due diligence reviews and approvals.
  • Participating in the Strategic Innovation Fund Associate Deputy Ministers Interdepartmental Policy and Program Committee, where the department provides advice on the strategic implementation of the Net Zero Accelerator and provides guidance on project selection.
  • The Minister of Environment and Climate Change provides letters of concurrence for NZA-related Strategic Innovation Fund projects seeking over $50 million in investment from the NZA. Letters of Concurrence signal ECCC support for ISED to proceed with negotiations to finalize the terms of the project.
• ECCC has provided advice on GHG reporting requirements for contribution agreements to ISED, but it does not participate in the negotiation of final terms with successful applicants. Contribution agreements are negotiated and managed between ISED officials and applicants.

Q4. Can you give an example of the types of investments that are being made?

• In July 2021, the Prime Minister announced an important investment. Algoma Steel Inc. will receive up to $200 million from the Net-Zero Accelerator Initiative to retrofit their operations and phase out coal-fired steelmaking processes at their facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
  • This funding will enable the company to purchase state-of-the-art equipment to support its transition to Electric-Arc Furnace production. This electricity-based process is expected to cut GHG emissions by more than 3 million tonnes per year by 2030 making a meaningful contribution to achieving Canada’s climate goals.
• Also in July 2021, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced a $25 million investment in Svante Inc., to support its project to develop and commercialize its novel low-cost carbon capture technology that will prevent significant release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere from industrial sites like cement and blue hydrogen plants. This innovative industrial point-source carbon capture technology will collect CO₂, concentrate it and release it for safe storage or industrial use. Svante is planning to manufacture systems with the ability to capture up to 2,000 tonnes of CO₂ per day, depending on the application. This technology is one of the tools that will help achieve Canada’s goal of net-zero by 2050, especially for heavy emitting industries that continue to produce goods Canadians use every day.
• In November 2022, the Government of Canada announced that ten projects under the Call to Action for high-emitting sectors were selected to move forward to the due diligence review process. These companies were assessed as promising early movers that would significantly reduce emissions at existing facilities and contribute to the decarbonization of their industry sectors, including electricity generation, hydrogen production and iron for the steel industry.
• The companies include:
  • Capital Power Corporation^{Footnote 1} 
  • ENMAX (Shepard Energy Centre)
  • Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL)
  • Strathcona Resources Ltd.
  • Lafarge Canada Inc.
  • ArcelorMittal Mining Canada G.P.
  • Suncor ATCO Heartland Hydrogen Hub
  • Alberta Power (2000) Ltd. (Heartland Generation)
  • Stelco Inc.
  • Dow Chemical Canada ULC^{Footnote 2} 

Q5. What projects has our Minister provided Letters of Concurrence for under the Net-Zero Accelerator?

• Our Minister has provided Letters of Concurrence for 24 projects under the Net Zero Accelerator Fund.
• Most of these projects have not been announced publicly, so I cannot discuss them here, but some examples of projects that have been announced are:
  • Ultium CAM
  • Pratt & Whitney Canada
  • E-One Moli Energy Limited
  • Umicore Canada
  • Rio Tinto Fer et Titane Inc.
  • Vale Canada Limited
  • PowerCo

Q6. What kinds of projects does ECCC approve under the NZA?

• ECCC does not approve projects. ECCC provides technical reviews of projects to ISED, providing advice on the GHG reduction estimates and identifying environmental concerns.
  • Projects that are sent to ECCC for review include those from several industrial sectors where the department has regulatory and technical expertise, such as chemical production, minerals and metals processing, steel and cement, pulp and paper and biofuels.
  • While the focus of the project reviews is on GHG reductions, ECCC sector reviews will identify any negative environmental impacts a proposed project may cause during construction or operations to ISED officials.
• ECCC also takes part in several advisory bodies in the SIF that afford the department opportunities to provide technical advice and guidance on proposals received by the fund.
• The Minister of Environment and Climate Change provides Letters of Concurrence on the advice of ECCC to ISED on projects where Cabinet approval is required. These letters indicate ECCCs support for ISED to enter negotiations and finalize agreement conditions with applicants. This support is not equivalent to final approval of specific projects or investments.

Q7. How does ECCC monitor whether it is doing a good job in supporting the NZA?

• ECCC’s success in supporting the NZA is measured by the timely delivery of project reviews to ISED that enable GHG and environmental aspects to be considered in decision-making. ECCC evaluates proposals to the fund for GHG direct emissions reduction potential, adherence to GHG emissions reductions estimation standards, and other environmental concerns.
• ECCC has provided over 150 reviews to ISED, often reviewing projects multiple times as new information becomes available. ECCC’s success is determined by ensuring that ISED has the information relating to estimated GHG reductions and environmental concerns they need to make informed decisions about funding recommendations made to the investment review committee and to senior ISED officials that align with NZA’s emissions reduction goals.
• ECCC’s efforts have influenced decisions such as what technologies to invest in and whether to require more advanced design documents for larger and more complex projects prior to the execution of contribution agreements. ECCC has also validated GHG emissions reductions estimates provided by applicants.

Q8. Has ECCC ever challenged a project under the NZA?

• Yes, ECCC has performed due diligence by ensuring that project GHG and environmental benefits are understood before decisions to retain projects are made. For projects where GHG and environmental benefits are expected to be low, ECCC ensures that ISED is aware of the issues and that it is considered when briefing decision makers.
• ECCC has challenged projects for lack of incremental GHG reductions and where investments in technology that do not align with Canada’s climate ambitions, such as Enhanced Oil Recovery.
• ECCC has challenged projects that are not sufficiently advanced to allow for reasonable and accurate GHG accounting, requesting that the applicant provide more detailed information so that the Department can be satisfied that the project will likely achieve claimed emissions reductions.
• ISED does not make public announcements about rejected SIF projects.

Q9. What has been the fund’s impact on reducing GHG emissions in Canada?

• My colleagues from ISED are best positioned to answer that question.
• All projects funded through the NZA Pillar 1 must support direct GHG emissions reductions in Canada, either at the site of the project or downstream of it. All Pillar 1 applications, for projects that reduce GHG emissions from large emitting sectors in Canada, provide the fund with detailed information that allows the emissions reduction to be quantified.
• For Pillars 2 and 3, GHG emissions reductions come from other companies buying and using technology the applicant makes, such as batteries. In these cases, we anticipate GHG benefits downstream of the project as the technology is used to displace higher-emitting technologies (e.g., electric vehicles replacing combustion engine vehicles). These downstream GHG benefits are much more complex to evaluate and rely on variables that may not be known until a project is constructed. These GHG benefits are therefore only quantified for projects where the use of the product directly follows the production, such as immediate use of carbon capture and storage technology once a producer has made it.

Q10. Has the fund supported any Indigenous-led projects?

• ISED colleagues are in a better position to comment on whether any projects to date have been from indigenous-led organizations or First Nations.  ECCC does not review applicant type as part of project evaluations.

Q11. The NZA has achieved limited GHG emissions reductions relative to the amount of money invested. Why is that?

• Net Zero Accelerator projects are evaluated on more than their quantifiable GHG emissions reductions. Beyond decarbonizing Canada’s large emitters, the fund also has core requirements to help established industries transition to the net-zero economy, to help develop new clean technologies, and to develop a battery ecosystem in Canada.
• For example, the NZA invested in Svante, a Canadian producer of carbon capture technology. The investment would help Svante develop and commercialize its novel low-cost carbon capture technology. While the project would not result in any direct emissions reductions from Svante’s operations, it would help provide new decarbonization options to other companies in Canada.
• Because of investments like Svante, we cannot judge the program’s performance exclusively on the cost of GHG emissions reductions over the next 5 years to 2030. The government must also consider the role of the NZA in supporting our transition to a net-zero economy.

Standing Committee members

Chair

Francis Scarpaleggia

Political Affiliation: Liberal
Constituency: Lac-Saint-Louis
Province / Territory: Quebec
Preferred Language: English

Francis has made the protection of Canada’s freshwater a personal priority. With this goal in mind, he has tabled several water-related bills and motions in the House of Commons. In terms of legislation, he has introduced bills to ban bulk-water exports, prohibit the dumping of toxic mining waste into water bodies, and improve the process of developing Canada’s drinking-water guidelines. He also initiated an in-depth study by the House of Commons environment committee into the impact of the oil sands on Canada’s water resources and wrote The Hidden Dimension: Water and the Oil Sands, the Liberal report from the study.

Francis is the Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. Since first being elected, he has also served on the following House of Commons committees: Public Safety and National Security (Vice Chair); Transport; Canadian Heritage; and Government Operations and Estimates. He was also Chair of the House of Commons Special Committee on Electoral Reform.

Francis was a founding member of the all-party Parliamentary Committee on Palliative and Compassionate Care. In this capacity, he organized and chaired hearings in Montreal in the fall of 2010 to hear testimony for the Committee’s report entitled Not to be Forgotten: Care of Vulnerable Canadians.

A leader among his colleagues, Francis was the longstanding elected Chair of the National Liberal Caucus (2011 to 2021). Before entering elected politics, Francis served as senior political attache to his predecessor, Clifford Lincoln, for over a decade. Prior to that, he taught business administration at Montreal’s Dawson College. His time as an educator was preceded by several years working in the private sector, including as a corporate financial analyst.

Francis did his undergraduate work in economics at McGill University and earned a master’s degree in economics from Columbia University, in New York. He later obtained an MBA from Concordia University. Francis and his wife Jan have two daughters.

Vice-chair

Dan Mazier

Political Affiliation: Conservative
Constituency: Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa
Province / Territory: Manitoba
Preferred Language: English

Dan and his wife Leigh farm grains, oil seeds, and specialty crops near Justice, Manitoba. His past farming experience also includes raising cattle, sheep, and poultry. They have two adult children living in Melfort, SK and Winnipeg, MB.

Dan has served as the President of Keystone Agriculture Producers (KAP) since 2015 after a four-year commitment as Vice-President. Prior to this, Dan fulfilled a position at KAP from 2001 – 2006. He was one of the founding members of the KAP Young Farmers Committee and was the Western representative on the Canadian Young Farmers Forum. At the national level, Dan represented KAP on the Canadian Federation of Agriculture board and participated in several advocacy days on Parliament Hill.

Dan is a graduate of the University of Manitoba’s Agriculture Diploma program (1984), and was honoured by the faculty in 2013 with a certificate of merit for his contributions in the agriculture industry. He holds a power engineer certification and has worked in the fertilizer industry for 17 years. Other past work experience includes working for MNP as well as the Manitoba Farm Mediation Board.

On October 21, 2019, Dan Mazier was elected to represent Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa as Member of Parliament and was re-elected on September 20, 2021. In October 2022, Pierre Poilievre appointed Dan Mazier to his Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Rural Economic Development & Connectivity.

Source: https://dauphinswanriverneepawa.conservativeeda.ca/about-dan-mazier/

Vice-chair

Monique Pauzé

Political Affiliation: Bloc Québécois
Constituency: Repentigny
Province / Territory: Quebec
Preferred Language: French

Monique Pauzé knew very early in her life that she wanted to fight against social inequities and defend the interests of Quebec, unfinished battles for which she does not give up. As a young woman, the Bloc Québécois MNA taught elementary school for 20 years where she worked to raise awareness of environmental protection, a cause she still fights for today. From 1995 to 2013, Monique Pauzé acquired extensive experience in the union milieu where she was coordinator of socio-political action and president of the Syndicat de Champlain before becoming a commissioner for the Special Commission on Union Renewal at the CSQ. In addition to writing and presenting the union's brief to the Estates General on Education and training delegates on the new Public Education Act, she also had the mandate to sensitize union members on neo-liberalism and its impact on education.

As a feminist, she fought for pay equity and succeeded in having the right of women to equal pay for equal work recognized. Involved in the environmental community, she was vice-president of the Coalition Eau Secours from 2013 to 2015 and more recently, she participated in the États généraux sur la souveraineté as a commissioner for the "economy and sovereignty" project.

A COMMITTED WOMAN - For her, serving the citizens of her riding is a natural extension of her past commitments. Just after taking office, she and her colleagues have succeeded in advancing several issues in Ottawa and will continue to do so until Quebec becomes independent. We can therefore conclude that today, with the same fervour as in her early days of activism, MP Monique Pauzé is pursuing the same objectives and working to improve the lot of her fellow citizens.

Members

Shafqat Ali

Political Affiliation: Liberal
Constituency: Brampton Centre
Province / Territory: Ontario
Preferred Language: English

Shafqat Ali is a triumphant entrepreneur and a proud husband and father of three. From humble beginnings to an inspiring immigrant success story, he personally understands what it means to struggle, fight and succeed. As the Liberal Representative for Brampton Centre, Shafqat is committed to being a prominent voice for our community in the House of Commons and will strive diligently to ensure you have a brighter Canadian future.

He is a passionate community leader who firmly believes that all Canadians should actively participate in the democratic process, in order to improve their lives as well as the lives of fellow Canadians. In addition, Shafqat also possesses a strong dedication towards community service, as he has demonstrated throughout his 13 years of residing and volunteering in our community as a youth coordinator and youth mentor. His contributions have included: forming a youth sports club; organizing festivals, fundraisers for local hospitals, food banks, and various other community organizations. Shafqat has also led many other community initiatives, such as successfully advocating for the cricket pitch on White Clover Way, in Mississauga.

Now as the Liberal representative for Brampton Centre, he is committed to bringing that same passion, dedication and energy to being your voice in the nation’s capital, Ottawa. Shafqat believes he can appropriately represent our community as a Member of Parliament because he has firsthand experience with the unexpected difficulties life can throw your way. When Shafqat was 10 years old, he tragically lost his father, who was his mentor, role model and best friend. His mother then raised him on her own, enduring the hardships of being a single parent. This led Shafqat to develop a very thick skin, a high level of resilience, as well as a passion for learning and growing. He used these traits to help him develop and mature, and eventually move to Canada, which he did with only a small suitcase and a very big dream: to succeed in this beautiful land of opportunity and community.

Shafqat recognizes the tremendous opportunities that Canada provides, but can also identify and empathize for the hardships of a struggling immigrant, or a single mother, or a university student unable to pay their tuition fees. It is due to his personal experiences and hardships, continuous community involvement, and his leadership qualities that Shafqat will effectively make a difference in our community. As your Member of Parliament, Shafqat will passionately focus on moving Brampton Centre forward, towards a brighter Canadian future.

Sophie Chatel

Political Affiliation: Liberal
Constituency: Pontiac
Province / Territory: Quebec
Preferred Language: French / English

A long-time public servant, eight-time marathon runner, and international tax expert, Sophie Chatel was born in Montreal, lived in different areas of Québec, and arrived in Pontiac with her family in 2002. After the September 2021 election, Pontiac voted in Sophie as the first female representative for her riding.

Sophie attended Law School at the University of Montreal from 1991-1994 and received a Master’s degree in tax from the University of Sherbrooke in 1997. In addition to passing the bar, Sophie became a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) in 2000. After working as a tax advisor for several accounting and law firms throughout Quebec, Sophie joined the Canadian Revenue Agency’s Ruling Directorate in 2002. Settling in the Limbour neighbourhood, Sophie also discovered the natural beauty and cultural diversity of her riding. An avid hiker, runner, skier and cyclist, Sophie conquered every trail of Gatineau Park, while seasonal scout camps brought her from Low to Otter Lake and also to Fort Coulonge and Sheenboro. Inside the Scout movement, Sophie developed a passion for storytelling, penning fantastic legends that reportedly still put goosebumps on the skins of now grown men and women.

In the adult world of public service, Sophie shuffled between increasingly senior positions in the Legislative Policy and Appeals Branch, before a long tenure at the Department of Finance where she served as a senior treaty negotiator. In 2017, Sophie moved to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris where she headed the Tax Treaty Unit and led a working group made up of 136 countries. Sophie collaborated with international delegates, leading academics, economists and tax officials from various international organizations including the UN, OECD, World Bank and IMF, and tax directors of multinational companies. One thorny challenge of the 2017-2021 era was adapting the international framework for taxing the digital giants.

In May 2021, Sophie briefly returned to the Department of Finance to lead the drafting of the Canadian Digital Services Tax Act. On August 9, 2021, Sophie left the public service to run for Parliament. Although Sophie left many colleagues and friends behind, she felt called to join in to tackle the challenge of our generation: climate change.

In rolling up her sleeves to represent the various communities of Pontiac, Sophie will put the mottos of the scout movement and the OECD to work: “toujours prêt!” and “better policies for better lives”.

Sophie Chatel and her husband Tom are the proud parents of twin sons: Evan and Vincent.

Laurel Collins

Political Affiliation: NDP
Constituency: Victoria
Province / Territory: British Columbia
Preferred Language: English

Laurel Collins has served as Member of Parliament for Victoria since 2019. She is the NDP Critic for Environment and Climate Change and Deputy Critic for Families Children and Social Development.

Laurel is recognized as a climate champion in the House of Commons and has fought hard for bold climate action and good jobs for workers in a low-carbon economy. She has been a strong advocate for a health-based approach to the toxic drug crisis, for Indigenous rights, and for real action on the affordable housing crisis in Victoria.

As a Victoria City Councillor, she successfully fought to accelerate the City of Victoria’s Climate Leadership Plan, for strong affordable housing policies, and for protecting the urban forest. Before entering politics, Laurel cofounded Divest Victoria, an organization promoting responsible investment, for which she won a Victoria Community Leadership award in Sustainability and Community Building. As an instructor at the University of Victoria, she taught courses in Social Justice Studies, Political Sociology, Social Inequality and the Sociology of Gender.

Laurel has dedicated her life to advocating for social and environmental justice and is committed to continuing that work to ensure a liveable planet for future generations. She lives in Victoria with her partner James and their daughter Alora.

Gérard Deltell

Political Affiliation: Conservative
Constituency: Louis-Saint-Laurent
Province / Territory: Quebec
Preferred Language: French

Born in Quebec City in 1964, son of Guy Deltell, a representative, and of Paule Ponzelli, an executive secretary.

Attended Saint-Léger Elementary School in Loretteville from 1970 to 1976 and Mont Saint-Sacrement High School from 1976 to 1981. Completed an announcer training course at the Collège des annonceurs radio télévision in 1982. Earned a diploma in social science studies from Cégep de Sainte-Foy in 1984 and studied history at l’Université Laval in 1989. Took an announcer course at l’École de radio et de télévision ProMédia in 1986. Has an ultralight pilot license since 2005.

Worked as a journalist for the TQS, SRC, and TVA television networks from 1989 to 2008. Also served as a radio commentator at various stations and as a speaker from 2003 to 2008. Served as host and project manager at the National Assembly of Quebec in 1988 and 1989, and again in the fall of 2008.

Was a Scout leader in 1984 and founder of the Société d’histoire de Château-d’Eau-Loretteville in 1985. President of the Press Gallery at the Quebec National Assembly in 2007.

Member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (PCPC) in 1981. President of the PCPC association in the Charlesbourg constituency in 1982. Defeated candidate in the 1985 municipal elections in Loretteville. Legislative assistant in the House of Commons in 1986 and 1987. Elected as Member of the Action démocratique du Québec for Chauveau in 2008. Leader of the second opposition party from November 19, 2009, to February 14, 2012. Re-elected under the Coalition Avenir Québec banner in 2012 and 2014. House Leader of the second opposition party from September 11, 2012, to March 5, 2014. Vice-Chair of the Committee on Public Administration from June 2, 2014, until his resignation as a member of the National Assembly on April 7, 2015.

Elected as Member of the Conservative Party of Canada in Louis-Saint-Laurent in 2015. Re-elected in 2019 and 2021.

Received four Can-Pro awards recognizing excellence in Canadian private television.

Source: https://www.assnat.qc.ca/fr/deputes/deltell-gerard-17/biographie.html

Michael Kram

Political Affiliation: Conservative
Constituency: Regina-Wascana
Province / Territory: Saskatchewan
Preferred Language: English

Michael Kram is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Regina-Wascana, a position which he has held since the general election of October 21st, 2019. Michael sits on the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee.

Michael was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. His parents are both retired teachers and his grandparents were farmers. He graduated from Dr. Martin LeBoldus High School in Regina.

Michael has a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Economics. Both degrees are from the University of Regina. He also studied Economics at Carleton University in Ottawa.

Before being elected to Parliament, Michael worked in the information technology sector. He worked in the private sector in Calgary in the late 1990s and for the Department of National Defence in Ottawa in the early 2000s. Michael worked for many years as a programmer/analyst with a Regina-based information technology consulting firm. During this time, he developed software solutions for a mix of private-sector and government entities.

Michael Kram grew up and still resides in south Regina. He has been an active member of St. Martin de Porres Church in Whitmore Park for many years. In his spare time he enjoys jogging, movies, and watching football.

Branden Leslie

Political Affiliation: Conservative
Constituency: Portage-Lisgar
Province / Territory: Manitoba
Preferred Language: English

Branden Leslie was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar on June 19, 2023.  

He has spent his entire career fighting for rural Manitoba values. He was an advisor in the Stephen Harper Government on key issues ranging from getting tough on crime, to protecting firearms rights, to standing up for our farmers. He has been an advocate for grain farmers and has been a leader in the fight against the carbon tax.

Branden knows how to defend our rural way of life because he has lived it. He grew up on his family’s farm just south of Portage. He attended Portage Collegiate Institute. And continues to live in that area today.

Branden’s priority as your Member of Parliament is protecting our rural way of life. He will continue to fight against the carbon tax. He will stand up for farmers. And he will protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

In his down time, Branden enjoys his lifelong love of sports. Whether he’s watching the Portage Terriers, refereeing minor hockey, or lacing up the skates for a rec game there’s a good chance that you will find Branden in a hockey rink. He is also an avid golfer.

Branden and his wife Cailey are the proud parents of their daughter Maeve.

As your MP, Branden is fighting for every community in Portage-Lisgar with the passion and energy that you deserve.

Source: https://www.brandenleslie.ca/meet-branden

Lloyd Longfield

Political Affiliation: Liberal
Constituency: Guelf
Province / Territory: Ontario
Preferred Language: English / French

In October 2015, Lloyd was elected to Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada candidate for Guelph, Ontario. Lloyd has since served as a member of the Standing Committee for Industry, Science and Technology, as a member of the Standing Committee for Agriculture and Agri-Food, as Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and as a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

In addition to his committee roles, Lloyd has served as Chair of the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus, he has chaired the Innovation Caucus, Co-Chaired the Automotive Caucus and acted as Secretary of the Ontario Caucus. He has also been an active member in the Social Innovation caucus, the Mental Health Caucus as well as several Intergovernmental Parliamentary groups with countries such as India, Italy, and organizations like NATO.

Lloyd is focused on collaborating locally on priorities such as the environment, housing, mental health, Indigenous reconciliation, early learning, childcare, entrepreneurship and economic development.

Lloyd has been serving Guelph for 30 years in community benefit organizations including 7 years as the President of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce. This followed a successful career as a Mechanical Engineering Technologist, working in manufacturing ranging from his own business start-up to working with businesses across Canada to improve their productivity and competitiveness through automation process improvement, and innovation.

Lloyd has been happily married to his high school sweetheart Barb since 1978 and together they have 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren.

Leah Taylor Roy

Political Affiliation: Liberal
Constituency: Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill
Province / Territory: Ontario
Preferred Language:English

I was born in York Region and have deep roots here. I currently live in Aurora, with my husband, Peter Roy. Together we raised six children and have the pleasure of two granddaughters.

I grew up in a family, who still lives in York Region, which served and continues to serve in public office and are leaders and members of many community charities and not-for-profits. This gave me the legacy to be a dynamic, effective, and passionate Member of Parliament, ready to dedicate my life to serving you and our communities. As MP, I will be your strong voice in Ottawa, working hard in Parliament to ensure that the priorities of Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, are heard and addressed now and for future generations.

I have the proven experience it takes to make me a successful Member of Parliament for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill. I have been well prepared by a rigorous and comprehensive education. After graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in Commerce, I attended Harvard University where I received a Master’s in Public Policy, with a focus on International Finance and Development, as well as taking classes at the MIT Sloan School of Business, the Harvard Business School, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.​

My passion for public policy and business led me to a position with the World Bank, where I worked in both policy analysis and the Treasury. I returned to Canada and joined the global management consulting firm, McKinsey and Company, in the Toronto office where I worked across Canada for major Canadian corporations in every region and sector of the economy. Later, I became an Executive Vice President of my husband’s family’s energy cogeneration company.  

My commitment to the community goes beyond politics. I am proud to have established a not-for-profit that focused on practical solutions to support small businesses in developing countries. I am now an active supporter of numerous York Region charities, including CHATS, Habitat for Humanity, Aurora Black History Association, CMHA, Inn from the Cold, Salaam Foundation, Heart and Stroke, and Voices of Joy - a local choir for people of all abilities - York Regional Environmental Alliance, Oak Ridges Morraine Conservation, Community Living, and the Salaam Foundation. The opportunity for serving our communities and helping our neighbours are endless. I encourage you to find your own niche.

Source: https://www.leahtaylorroymp.ca/about

Adam van Koeverden

Political Affiliation: Liberal
Constituency: Milton
Province / Territory: Ontario
Preferred Language: English

Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada

Adam van Koeverden was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Milton in 2019.

Mr. van Koeverden previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Sport and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Sport).

Mr. van Koeverden is a dedicated community leader and one of Canada’s most accomplished athletes. He has represented Canada at four Summer Olympic Games, winning a gold, two silvers, and a bronze medal. He served as Canada’s flag bearer in Athens and Beijing, and won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s top athlete in 2004.

A first-generation Canadian, Mr. van Koeverden grew up at Chautauqua Co-op in Oakville with his younger brother and mother. He joined the Burloak Canoe Club as a teenager and rapidly became one of Canada’s premier athletes. In addition to being a world, Olympic, and Canadian champion, he has volunteered extensively for organizations like Right to Play, WaterAid, Special Olympics Canada, and the David Suzuki Foundation. Along with his father, Mr. van Koeverden is also a strong advocate for Parkinson Canada.

Before entering politics, Mr. van Koeverden worked as a managing consultant with Deloitte, and as a broadcaster, writer, and producer with CBC Sports. He also served as Chair of the Canadian Olympic Athletes’ Commission and was a member of the Government of Canada Working Group on Gender Equity in Sport, promoting safe sport and addressing gender-based violence. He is a leading public speaker who has spoken to tens of thousands of students at schools in the Halton region and across Canada.

Mr. van Koeverden graduated as valedictorian with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from McMaster University. He lives in Milton with his dog, Cairo.

Source: https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/parliamentary-secretaries/adam-van-koeverden