Thank you, Mr. Chair.
To better grasp the enforcement of the Act, it's always a good idea to consider the example of a specific case. Consider the case of tetrachloroethylene, a solvent used by many dry-cleaning companies. I was surprised to hear that Quebec is the province with the highest number of such companies per inhabitant in Canada. This was my first surprise. This is a good example.
This product — please correct me if I am mistaken — has been assessed, pursuant to clause 64 of the Act, as a toxic substance. We have implemented a regulation by virtue of clause 93 of the Act; we gathered around an issue table the industry, the environment community and the government; as early as 1998, we established a training group in the Quebec area, in order to phase in the good codes of practice adopted by the Canadian Council of the Ministers of the Environment; and today, we wonder where we stand.
As for the enforcement of the Act, where do we stand? Have there been any inspections? What actions have been taken pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act? I think that based on a specific case, it is always interesting to see how the law has been enforced.