Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you to the witnesses. It's always great when an Olympic medal-winning person is in the witness chair. I follow my Olympic history, and I was watching, Ms. van der Kamp.
Mr. Cauchi, transportation remains one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. It is also a major driver of local air pollution in our communities. As outlined in the government's automotive strategy, we are moving away from prescriptive sales mandates and instead strengthening greenhouse gas emissions standards, which were described by the department as some of the strongest tools we have right now to support emissions reductions while giving industry flexibility. These standards are designed not only to reduce emissions but also to cut the pollution that is breathed in every day by Canadians, especially children, seniors, and people who live near busy roads.
From ECCC's perspective, why is the light-duty vehicle sector such a critical focus for emissions reduction, and how do strengthened vehicle GHG standards contribute to both climate goals and improving air quality and public health across Canada?