Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
As the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Climate Change Branch at Environment and Climate Change Canada, I have had the opportunity to play a lead role in establishing Canada's last two national greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and the developing Canada's last two climate change plans- the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and the the Strengthened Climate Plan- A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. In the process, I have served as the federal policy lead for climate change, led the creation of the Climate Change Branch of Environment and Climate Change Canada and served as a point person for engagement with Provinces, Territories and Indigenous partners. In past positions, I have played a leading role in creating the National Air Quality Management System and spent several years negotiating key issues with the UN climate change process and other related fora.
Overall policy lead for climate change. Point person for engagement with Provinces, Territories and Indigenous partners. Responsible for leading key climate change programs and coordinating the climate change file across all implicated federal departments. -Led the development of Canada’s Strengthened Climate Change Plan- Healthy Environment and Healthy Economy -Played a leading role in the development of Canada’s new 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target -Co-chaired working group with the US counterparts -Co-chaired three tables with Indigenous partners -Oversaw the creation and operation and operation of the Canadian Centre for Climate Services -Oversaw the creation and operation of the $2 billion Low Carbon Economy Fund -Led federal engagement with Provinces and Territories on climate change
Created a team to lead federal climate policy development. Responsible for coordinating federal efforts to support the creation and agreement of a national climate change plan. -Supported two First Minister’s Meetings on climate change, called by the Prime Minister. Supported the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Inter-governmental Affairs in the drafting, negotiation and agreement of the Vancouver Declaration. -Co-chaired a working group tasked with developing policy options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. -Led the development and negotiation of Canada’s National Climate Change plan- the Pan-Canadian Firework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. -Founded and oversaw the creation of the Pan-Canadian Framework Implementation Office (now known as the Climate Change Branch).
As the Executive Director of Policy Development at Environment Canada, I have had the opportunity to help inform and shape key decisions including the Canada's new 2030 emission reduction target and programs designed to help Canada adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Responsible for leading a division of approximately thirty five people to develop domestic climate change and air pollution policy for industrial sources of emissions; played a leading role in the development of a new comprehensive national air management system developed through collaboration with provinces, industry and NGOs; led the design of a potential emissions trading system for Canada that was designed to be compatible with trading systems being considered by the US Congress; led Environment Canada’s $252 million funding renewal proposal for the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda that was announced in budget 2011.
Led the development of policy and negotiating positions for Canada’s engagement in the UN climate change process; served as the lead negotiator for the development of a global, post-Kyoto Protocol agreement; co-chaired a group of international negotiators from 13 countries; represented Canada at other international fora including the US-lead Major Economies Initiative and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate; briefed and advised Ministers Baird and Ambrose on numerous occasions and participated in a conference call with Prime Minister Harper.
Responsible for managing the Transport Canada’s climate change policy group of nine people and a budget of approximately 1.5 million dollars; oversaw the production of briefing materials and analysis; allocated responsibilities; set priorities and conducted staffing operations in order to rebuild the policy team; supported the Minister’s participation in the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. Was recalled to Environment Canada to help support the preparation for the Montreal Climate Change Conference.
Responsible for developing the international carbon credits component of the 2002 Climate Change Plan for Canada; served as a lead negotiator and supported Ministerial participation in UN climate change negotiations; successfully collaborated with private sector representatives in the design phase of a carbon credit mutual fund; produced a developing country engagement strategy and negotiating positions for key issues being negotiated within the UN climate change process.
Conducted extensive research, wrote academic papers, briefing notes, economic studies, produced presentations and managed projects for a boutique consultancy specializing in climate change policy. Key areas of focus included emissions trading, UN climate change negotiations, environmental strategies for private sector firms.