Christine Stewart

[Bulk Water Exports, March 24th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there are thousands and thousands of pages of information from my department on the website. I can guarantee that statement will be removed today.

[Bulk Water Exports, March 24th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague across the floor draws to my attention a statement that I am not aware of and it certainly does not follow the policy of this government.

We have announced and it is very clear that we are developing an accord at this moment with the provinces and territories to prohibit the bulk export of freshwater from this country. That is the position of this government. We will be introducing legislation to prevent the withdrawal of bulk water from international bodies. We will continue to work to develop a freshwater strategy.

I will clarify what is on the web and make sure that the web reflects the position of this government.

[Water, March 22nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there are many Canadians who would say that Canada's fresh water is our most important natural resource. That is why my department expends so many resources on science and research and provides technical and funding support to tens of thousands of Canadians to protect our water systems.

We have programs in the Atlantic coastal area, the Atlantic coastal action program, St. Lawrence vision 2000, Great Lakes 2000, the northern rivers ecosystem and the Georgian basin ecosystem initiatives.

The federal government is also working with the provinces to negotiate a national accord which will prohibit the removal of bulk water and the first step toward developing a fresh water strategy.

Canadians everywhere are concerned about water and are becoming involved in this very important issue.

[Endangered Species, March 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, all those on this side of the House, others on the other side of the House and all of those who demonstrated yesterday on their day of action for their concern about species at risk.

Because of human activity and its impact on the environment, it is obvious that we need legislation to protect species at risk. I hope to bring in legislation before we recess this summer.

In the meantime, I have been consulting with stakeholders across this country, with business and industry, farmers, environmental NGOs, as well as with my provincial counterparts to see how we can build a national safety net of protection for species at risk. Much of the authority falls within the provincial and territorial jurisdiction.

We have laws in place now to protect species but there will be a new law.

[Urban Smog, March 11th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this government is very concerned about air quality. We have taken significant action, including last fall when we suggested that the levels of sulphur in gasoline be lowered.

We are also engaged in ongoing work with the provinces on air quality to reduce particulate matter out of air and other contaminants. We are working with the United States to improve air quality. We will negotiate an annex to our U.S.-Canada air quality agreement.

We will continue to explore all the methods possible to improve the quality of air for Canadians because it has a very direct effect on the health of Canadians.

[The Environment, March 9th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the environment is a very important issue for the government.

We recognize that improved environmental health is not only good for the environment, but for human health.

This year's budget contributes $42 million to allow the government to respond and renew the Canadian Environmental Protection Act by assessing the 23,000 substances now in use in Canada and by regulating those that are found to be toxic. It contributes $12 million to the creation of a new biosphere reserve in Clayoquot Sound. It contributes additional money from the $150 million assessed last year to deal with climate change issues.

Not only is the environment recognized as important, this year—

[The Environment, February 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to achieving the targets we declared at the Kyoto protocol.

In last year's budget we did put forward $150 million in order to put together a national implementation strategy. The provinces and all partners are working with us in the development of that strategy. They will produce a report by the end of this year. In this budget we did provide some assistance to the Canadian Federation of Municipalities because it will play a key role.

In the meantime, we also continue to invest in pilot projects, new technologies and public education to help all of us achieve our goals.

[Supply, February 9th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, the federal government is conscious of the enormous resources in fresh water that do occur in the far north of our country and the concern of people who live in the north for their freshwater.

The federal government is in the process of providing the same capacity to the territories to regulate and control waters within their territories as the provinces now have.

[Supply, February 9th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, I think the member is aware of a few of the proposals that have been very public over the last part of the year, in particular the Nova request to withdraw water from Lake Superior. There is also a request by a company to withdraw water in Newfoundland. There was a request to withdraw water from B.C.

Since our discussions have begun several provinces have taken action to put in place laws, regulations and policies with regard to the extraction of bulk water from their provinces.

So there is a lot of work together in light of the growing concern that we may see yet more requests for withdrawals. If we do not have policies, regulations and legislation that can protect us, it could get out of hand.

[Supply, February 9th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, I was not able to conclude my remarks but my last statement was to be that the government and I support this motion.

To answer the hon. member's previous question, yes, it is the practice of my department. I have asked that my department on every occasion possible consult with aboriginal peoples as we develop our policies.