Environment committee  When I was on the environment committee—this was about five or six years ago, or maybe more than that—we did a study on the Great Lakes water quality. I would heartily recommend to all committee members that this study be reviewed. As we discussed in my earlier testimony, algae blooms result from non-point source pollution, which is basically runoff from the watershed.

Environment committee  I strongly favour, Mr. Mazier, the incentive approach when dealing with private land. When you have regulators coming onto your land and basically interfering with farming operations, it simply does not work. It creates nothing but antagonism in rural areas. I think I mentioned in my previous testimony that when DFO was on the prairie landscape in full force, the officers would show up with guns at municipal meetings.

Environment committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Environment committee  Sure. The issue, Mr. Kram, relates to property rights and incentives. Right now, all of the incentives to producers and farmers are to produce as much as they can. Mr. Leslie, for example, who represents a major farm community—and Mr. Mazier, as well—knows that farmers are under the gun to produce as much as they can.

Environment committee  That's an excellent question. Wetlands are classified between, basically, permanent and ephemeral wetlands. Ephemeral wetlands come and go, depending on the rainfall. Permanent wetlands are, as they say, permanent. There's lots of work where wetlands have been inventoried. Again, I make the point, Mr.

Environment committee  Sure. Wetlands act as little sponges. As spring rolls around, the snow starts to melt, and if there are enough wetlands on a piece of land, the water collects in the wetlands and is slowly metered out over the course of the advancement of spring. Thereby, rivers and streams are able to handle that kind of flow.

Environment committee  Thank you for the opportunity. Again, I'm aware that I made a statement in my first appearance, and—

Environment committee  It's the best riding in Canada, and I have been succeeded by a very able gentleman, who is doing great work for his constituency.

Environment committee  I could go on and on, but I would use up most of the committee's time, so it's not fair. Can you hear me okay?

Environment committee  Sure. Again, the issues deal with water quality and quantity. I brought up the issue of groundwater being very important. My testimony is on the record. If people wish to see it, they can. I'll add a couple of points to it. In terms of freshwater management, I have a bias for action.

Environment committee  I certainly can.

Environment committee  I am.

Environment committee  Oh, oh!

Environment committee  Yes; I'm sorry.

Environment committee  I have yet to have anybody explain to me how a carbon tax in Canada will affect anything that happens in Canada in terms of droughts, floods and all those kinds of things. Again, we're all entitled to our own opinions, but not our own facts. The fact that Canada emits 1.5% of global CO2 means that not much we do in Canada will have any effect either on the global climate or on Canada's, in general.