Finance committee  That's a great question. I share very similar concerns as my Canadian family all comes from the east coast in Nova Scotia as well. I'm going to give you an answer that is maybe not quite what you're expecting. I do think we've actually come a long way in terms of communicating the risks to people's everyday lives that come from climate impacts.

Finance committee  It is absolutely clear from our membership that we are opposed to fossil fuel subsidies. We need to get to a place where renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean technology operate on a level playing field with fossil fuel infrastructure. If we continue to subsidize the fossil fuel industry, then those industries that are emerging in the green economy will continue to be at a disadvantage.

Finance committee  Okay. Finally, when it comes to Canada's role in the world, 2020 is a big year for Canada reviewing its international climate finance commitments. We see this as a big part of Canada's fair share of the global effort to hold warming to 1.5° C. We calculate Canada's fair share of that global investment as about $4 billion U.S. annually, and we currently sit at just under $800 million.

Finance committee  Good evening, Chair. I thank you and fellow members of the committee so much for having me. I'd like to begin by acknowledging that we are meeting here on unceded, unsurrendered Algonquin Anishinabe territory. Climate Action Network Canada is the largest network of organizations working on climate and energy issues in the country.

Environment committee  On the latest numbers we have, I can say with confidence that it's 66 million tonnes behind our 2030 targets. The fact that the Ontario premier has decided to end all climate action in that province puts us further behind. I don't know what those numbers are yet. When I say that it is necessary that climate action not be subject to the vagaries of election cycles, I don't mean that climate action should not be an issue that is debated in a democratic system.

Environment committee  On the fair share, Canada's portion of the overall economy of donor countries in the OECD is 3.9%, which means that our fair share is 3.9% of any global commitment on climate finance. There is a current commitment of $100 billion by 2020. Our fair share of that is about $4 billion.

Environment committee  Thanks, and my apologies that I can't answer in French. My French is terrible. Yes, it is the case that there are a number of examples worldwide of how countries keep track of, maintain oversight and ensure accountability for their climate commitments. The Government of Canada has spent the last couple of months consulting on expert engagement for oversight and accountability for the pan-Canadian framework on clean growth and climate change and in fact a couple of days ago issued a request for proposals for organizations to submit ideas on how that body of experts might be formed and who might host it.

Environment committee  I'll be frank and say that I think the rhetoric around climate action has become extremely polarized. Many political officials and leaders of various parties look to score cheap political points by overly polarizing climate action and using it as a political football. Doing so does a really criminal disservice to Canadians.

Environment committee  Thanks so much for having me this afternoon. I'll begin by saying a little bit about who I am and what Climate Action Network is. Canada's primary network of organizations working on climate change and energy issues, the Climate Action Network is a coalition of 116 not-for-profit organizations operating from coast to coast to coast.