Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to begin by thanking you once again for your 2006 report. It is, in general, highly elucidating, although it makes only scant reference to how climate change programs are performing. Even though you may not be able to categorically state that these programs have met their objectives, it has to be recognized that progress has been made.
What I find particularly interesting about your report was that it promotes a comprehensive approach to help us reach our target of a 6 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases. It is all very well to talk about annual reports, but if we do not have a strategy allowing us to maximize the overall greenhouse gas reductions, then we have not achieved anything worth writing home about.
I understand that your intention this morning was to walk us through the various chapters of your report, however, I would like us to turn our attention to page 12 of the booklet entitled “Main Points”. You state:
The government cannot effectively address climate change without considering changes in the way Canadians produce, distribute and consume energy.
Further on, you add:
Any new approach must confront this reality.
I would like to know what you mean by that. A few pages further on, you state that energy production is under provincial jurisdiction.
You clearly state that any effective attempt to curb climate change has to take into account this reality. In terms of fighting climate change, do you not think that a new approach encouraging cooperation with the provinces would be more effective than the essentially sector-based approach favoured by the government thus far?