Mr. Chairman, I believe this is a very important clause. The fact is we have to ensure that Canada's national reports to the international community, through the subsidiary bodies of the Conference of the Parties, are consistent with the rules laid down by the international community under the Kyoto Protocol. In that regard, subparagraph 10.1(1)(b) is absolutely critical, since it deals directly with specific items under the Kyoto Protocol, such as meeting targets and carbon sinks. When the time comes to make a report on carbon sinks, will the report that is made to the international community be consistent with the conditions the community has set? Well, there is only one authority — namely, the Auditor General, who is independent — who can pass judgment on the type of report Canada makes to the international community. It simply a matter of ensuring that what Canada does is consistent with the rules laid out in the Kyoto Protocol. For that to happen, this must go through a non-partisan, non-government and independent authority. I believe the Commissioner of the Environment can play that role.
On December 7th, 2006. See this statement in context.