House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 1997, with 46% of the vote.
Environment November 18th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, it is incredible how out of step the Reform Party is on the issue of climate change.
Since Kyoto we have seen a lot of movement across Canada from coast to coast to coast. The vast majority of Canadians tell us that they are concerned about this issue. They want action and they will take action. We are providing them with the tools to do so.
I am gratified that other Canadians feel it is a very important issue and do not take their guidance from that party.
The Environment November 5th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, this is a very important issue for the health of Canadians. The protocol that we signed in Norway in June will be ratified by us before the end of this year.
The impact of this will be that it will prevent a lot of heavy metals coming into Canada from abroad. But Canada will continue to take its own actions. We have reduced levels of mercury to 64% below 1980 levels already, well beyond the protocol requirements.
We will continue to reduce levels of mercury. We are working through the harmonization agreement with ministers of the environment of the provinces and we will be making our announcement—
The Environment November 5th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the meeting that will be taking place next week, which is now in place in Buenos Aires, is very important for Canada and the world.
Canada will be taking a leading role in helping international communities to develop timetables and targets for the reduction of greenhouse gases through defining flexibility mechanisms.
We will also be encouraging developing nations to take a role and to help them to understand how this issue is a win, win, win situation. It is a win for the environment, a win for sustainable development in development countries, and a win for our economy and our goal to achieve greenhouse gas reductions.
The Environment October 28th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, last year in Kyoto Canada set a very important target for itself along with other members of the developed world.
When we go to Buenos Aires next week we will be discussing how we can put in place a plan of action internationally. We want to make sure we have an internationally acceptable definition for emissions trading, clean development mechanism, joint implementation and sinks. We are going to work very actively in showing leadership in getting consensus on these timetables.
The Environment October 28th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, this government is acting with all partners across this country, the provinces and the territories.
The Minister of Natural Resources and I met with our energy and environment counterparts in Halifax a couple of weeks ago. We are working together with 450 experts across the country to put in place an implementation strategy. At the same time we announced in Halifax new measures to engage the public at the grassroots level because we know Canadians are concerned about this issue and they want to set their own targets for reductions of greenhouse gases so that we as a nation can meet our target.
Gasoline October 26th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I have based my regulations on a study that, as I indicated, involved different levels of government, the oil producers, the refiners and the automobile manufacturers.
They presented a report which indicated very specifically what the costs would be. In fact, health people in this country indicate that the health costs of not acting are much higher than estimated in that report.
Gasoline October 26th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to have the opportunity Friday to announce new regulations for the reduction of sulphur in gasoline.
The decision was taken as a result of a study done by the federal government, provinces and territories working together with the oil refinery industries, the automobile manufacturers and other stakeholders. They all agreed that the cost would be $1.8 billion to reduce it to the levels I have regulated. However, the costs of not acting are many times higher in terms of health.
This translates in terms of cost to the oil refiners of one cent per litre, according to the report of this committee.
Environment October 22nd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, this Liberal government is very concerned about the Sydney tar ponds and contamination in the area.
We have worked very closely with a citizens group in Sydney, Nova Scotia, which also has representation from all three levels of government. We have contributed funds to this process which is working to resolve this very serious issue. We have met with the process, the so-called JAG. We have signed an MOU with them. We have met with the affected citizens in the area and we are working with the province to resolve this very serious issue.
Environment October 21st, 1998
Mr. Speaker, acid rain continues to be a very serious issue in Canada and the continent. It has a very serious impact on our natural resources, our forests, our fisheries and our human health.
At a meeting this week with ministers of the environment and energy, we agreed to develop a strategy for further reductions of acid rain in the post 2000 period. I look forward to working with my colleagues to set targets and timelines.
Endangered Species October 5th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for this important question because certainly the issue of endangered species is of great concern to Canadians at large.
My department for many years has put in place policies, legislation and regulations to protect endangered species. Part of my staff in the Canadian Wildlife Service has also worked hard to develop science and encourage stewardship on the part of Canadians, but a lot more has to be done.
I am working with the stakeholders, the provinces and the territories to develop a national accord which will put in place an effective and meaningful safety net for all endangered species, and I will introduce legislation—