Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank the minister for accepting our invitation.
I am not surprised this morning, but I see that you are aligning yourself with the argument that has been made in this Parliament for nearly the past 12 years, that we need to implement absolute greenhouse gas emissions caps. It is the first time I have heard you say this publicly. I have been led to understand, based on that statement, that you are dropping emissions intensity targets in favour of absolute targets, meaning a real cap-and-trade system. However, you insist on sticking to 2006, not 1990, as the base year.
But a common front on climate change is being created in Canada. This initiative, led by the provinces, sets out the following reduction targets, based on 1990: 20% for Quebec, 15% for Ontario and 14% for British Columbia. Given those conditions, you realize that, in addition to being isolated internationally, you run the risk of also being isolated within Canada?