Opening Statement before the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates

Overview of the Commissioner’s role and mandate

8 October 2024

Jerry V. DeMarco
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for inviting me to appear before your committee today. I would like to acknowledge that this hearing is taking place on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people. I am accompanied by Nicolas Blouin, a director in our office.

I understand that the committee has recently heard from Environment and Climate Change Canada officials on the grants and contributions process at the department. While I am happy to answer questions and provide any insights that I can in support of the committee’s work, I want to be clear that the grants and contributions programs of Environment and Climate Change Canada have not been the focus of any recent audits.

As this is my first appearance before this committee, I would like to take this opportunity to provide an overview of the Commissioner’s role and mandate. On behalf of the Auditor General of Canada, the Commissioner conducts performance audits of matters that relate to the environment and sustainable development, and reports to Parliament typically twice a year. These reports are referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development but are often studied by a wide range of committees in the House of Commons and the Senate.

Like the Auditor General, the Commissioner does not audit the policy decisions of Parliament and government. Our work examines whether government departments and agencies implement policy decisions with due regard for economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and the environment.

I would like to note that the environment and sustainable development are a priority across the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. Audits carried out by the Auditor General and the Commissioner integrate environmental and sustainable development considerations, as appropriate. This includes considering the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals when selecting, designing, and carrying out all our performance audits.

The Commissioner also reviews and comments on the federal government’s draft sustainable development strategy. Once the strategy is implemented, we monitor and report on how well federal departments and agencies contribute to meeting the targets of the federal strategy. We also assess and report on their progress in achieving the objectives of their own departmental strategies. We also review the fairness of the information presented in the federal government’s progress reports on the implementation of the overall federal strategy.

The Commissioner also manages and reports on the environmental petitions process on behalf of the Auditor General. This process allows Canadians to directly question federal ministers about environmental and sustainable development issues within federal jurisdiction and ensures petitioners receive a response from the relevant ministers.

In addition, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act requires the Commissioner to examine, report on, and make recommendations about the Government of Canada’s implementation of measures to mitigate climate change, including those intended to meet the latest greenhouse gas emission targets. Our first report was tabled in 2023, a year earlier than was required, and the second one will be presented for tabling in November.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to answer questions the committee may have on my recent work. Thank you.