As you pointed out, Mr. Chair, this is just one clause. And yet, it is an extremely significant clause with negative repercussions in many respects. The environment is one of the reasons I got involved in politics in the first place. It's clear that since the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, governments have done little. I think we can all agree on that. But the decision to just drop everything is rather serious.
This is a smear on Canada's international reputation. We have seen the reactions. Whenever China comes up, my Conservative friends smile or even laugh. The fact remains that China said this decision went against international efforts, calling it very unfortunate. The UN condemned Canada's withdrawal from Kyoto. The Executive Secretary of the fourth United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reminded Canada that it had to tackle the problem and reduce its emissions. This does the exact opposite.
I would also point out that in Quebec, my province, the members of the National Assembly unanimously adopted the Kyoto Protocol and its implementation. Formerly a leader in the fight against climate change, Canada will have a blemish on its reputation. At the end of the day, that reputation was nothing more than an illusion, since the Liberals never accomplished much anyways. In this case, however, we're talking about a clear slap in the face, and that is very detrimental. I mentioned Quebec, which will indeed suffer some negative consequences. Quebec will have to work even harder on a strategy to be given distinct status in the post-Kyoto discussions.
Mr. Chair, you said this was a small clause, but its repercussions are serious, and that cannot be denied. In my riding, when you talk to young people or those concerned about the environment, you realize that people are truly appalled by this decision, they take it as a clear sign that the government has no intention of protecting the environment or even fulfilling its obligations. That is one of the reasons we are going to vote against this provision.
I could go on and on, Mr. Chair, but I will refrain.