Mr. Chair, Mr. Ouellet is quite right. In looking at energy consumption by residential and commercial buildings, the federal government can in cooperation with the provinces and other parties, learn how to build buildings and create standards.
With regard to jurisdiction, at present, we do not have the necessary legislative authority to create standards and regulations across the country, but it is absolutely essential to pursue that objective in cooperation with the provinces, in order to minimize energy losses in that area. The minister indicated that the government was seeking solutions in all sectors that contribute to this situation.
Also, the federal government has responsibilities with regard to its own facilities and, although we do not have any specific data here with us this morning, we are seeking to develop a process to determine what measures the federal government could implement under the Federal Sustainable Development Act, passed by Parliament.