Thank you.
Again, in our continuing dialogue, colleagues, and certainly in continuing discussions and debates, on some occasions, with environmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, Canadians at large, and our international friends and partners, we need to conduct these discussions on the basis of facts and science. Sometimes we get somewhat derailed when there are exaggerations, misrepresentations, or deliberate untruths made to score points on one side or another of these arguments.
As we go forward, it is always relevant to remember that Canada does in fact contribute barely 2% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. If I may remind the committee again, transportation and the coal-fired electricity generation sectors are the largest contributors of those gases. Some other sectors receive more domestic and international coverage, but they are minor contributors to total greenhouse gas emissions.
I can't say this enough: Canada is a leader in the global science effort to address the phenomenon known as climate change. We are an active participant and contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. As my colleagues will know, recent scientific results published in a variety of highly respected scientific journals have illustrated the significant contribution the scientists at Environment Canada are contributing on the world stage. They have also shown Canada's commitment to addressing the challenges of climate change and to encouraging the largest emitters to reform and remediate and adapt, because adaptation is a large part, certainly, of Environment Canada concerns and programs.
For example, in the Canadian Arctic, some damage that has been done and some challenges that need to be addressed cannot be fully corrected. With regard to plants, animals, and the human beings who live in those parts of Canada and in affected regions around the world, there needs to be funding and support in terms of adaptation.
With regard to that, the $400 million commitment made to the fast-start program, to which money is already flowing, is being applied to developing countries and to places such as small island states, which are already seeing rising sea levels. In some extreme cases they will require the eventual relocation of populations to other islands or higher ground.
You have seen in the supplementary estimates (C) the redirection of funding to CIDA for application in Haiti, where a large part of the environmental remediation is going to require reforestation on a scale that is probably unprecedented anywhere in the world.
The commitment is there. I offer to all of my colleagues, both on the government side and on the opposition side, any supplementary information, briefings, or updates you require. I will ensure that the information is made available and that we work together. This is one of those areas where we can and should put partisan dynamics aside, because, and I can't say it enough, there is so much good that is being done by the various departments within Environment Canada.