Environment committee  There are different parts of the global carbon market. The EU emissions trading system is one part. I believe that Aldyen Donnelly, in her initial remarks, was referring to the so-called “hot air” credits that in theory are available to be traded under Kyoto. I might have time to elaborate in a later response to a later question, but on the specific question of the EU market, first of all, the EU market is essentially in a pilot phase currently between 2005 and 2007.

Environment committee  On the question, then, around the difference between emissions intensity and hard caps, I'm still confused as to why industry wouldn't seek the certainty of a hard cap—a fixed, across-the-board, level playing field for all of the competitors in your association—as opposed to the notion of intensity reductions. If climate change is a serious consideration and there are some, at least, in your industry willing to internalize the costs, why is there a reluctance about a hard cap concerning something we see as a threat both environmentally and, in the Stern report and others, economically?

Environment committee  Just to clarify, Madame Gélinas, I'm trying first to understand, under previous regimes how much money was announced, versus actually spent, for climate change initiatives. Can you remind the committee?

Environment committee  To our knowledge, nothing has ever replaced the Climate Change Secretariat.

Environment committee  Godfrey's theme somewhat that your industry has recognized the importance and the threat of climate change. I don't want to make that assumption, but is that fair to say?

Environment committee  Chairman, it's important to make a distinction between two different things. We often talk about an action plan on climate change that the government is currently developing, but there is also what is called the machinery of government, which has nothing to do with that plan. Knowing exactly what system will be put in place to account for progress and costs has nothing to do with a plan.

Environment committee  Mr. Guilbeault, coming from Alberta, I know they've had a climate change plan in place for at least three to four years. You indicated that only Quebec had one.

Environment committee  In a sense, I think we had this conversation when you initially released your report for 2006 on climate change. If I may return to Bill C-288, the whole point of this bill is to actually increase accountability and, in the spirit of your suggestions, to attempt to better define roles, responsibilities, and authorities so as to understand the performance of policies and programs and to monitor and report broader objectives.

Environment committee  I am the president of the association, and with me today is Rick Hyndman, senior policy adviser, who has been involved in this climate change file since the beginning. Bill C-288 is about the relationship between Canada's near-term action on greenhouse gas emissions and the country's Kyoto target. In essence, should Canada's Kyoto target be the guiding star for our initial GHG policy step?

Environment committee  They really do go hand-in-glove. The single largest contributing factor to air quality, climate change, and greenhouse gases in a pulp and paper mill facility is the energy system. So as you focus on that and provide incentives for doing more, it's a beautiful scenario where all of the things you're concerned about come down.

Environment committee  For the last two years, we've been rolling up our sleeves with environmental organizations, aboriginals, five provinces, and the federal government, to figure out a path forward on air and climate change that makes sense for all concerned. We really hope those initiatives are not pushed aside with respect to a new approach to air. Mr. Chairman, this concludes my formal remarks. I'd be happy to take any questions that the committee members may have.

Environment committee  This committee and all of us in this room can no longer afford to shuffle the entire blame for contaminated water, for smog, climate change, and toxic chemicals solely to either industry or to government. As citizens and consumers, we are ultimately responsible for making healthy choices about our own lives and our own livelihoods.

Environment committee  Okay. I read Mr. Suzuki's book. Indeed, he discusses climate change at length, but no solutions were ever really offered. I had hoped to find the miracle solution in M. Suzuki's book, since you mentioned it, but I still have not found it.

Environment committee  How many years have we had consultations with large industry around climate change, from the federal government?

Environment committee  It is safe to say that of the many things lacking in Canada's response to climate change, consultations wouldn't necessarily be one of them.