Mr. Chairman, I am in agreement with Mr. Cullen, but I will be a little bit more precise. I am here addressing myself more particularly to the representatives from Syncrude and Suncor Energy Inc., since Mr. Seeley dealt somewhat with this issue a little earlier.
I would like, if possible, that the discussion not stray from the matter of my question, which relates solely to greenhouse gases. I am not talking about pollution, nor about the environment. I am talking solely about the greenhouse gases resulting from activities involving the oil sands. These gases, which amount to one tonne for every eight barrels of oil, will not stop increasing. This is what we were told yesterday. Contrary to what you stated earlier, the line on the graph does not shift: the more oil you produce, the more you produce CO2, carbon dioxide. Therefore, if you are today producing a tonne for every eight barrels, you will continue to produce a tonne for every eight barrels, because there is not much opportunity for change.
Therefore, what are the political signals that would be necessary to slow down and, eventually, reverse this trend towards an increase in the production of greenhouse gases?
To be even more precise, I would say to you that we would not want to impose upon you an economic deterrent, as Mr. Harris so rightly stated earlier, but as a government, as parliamentarians, we must find a way of limiting your GHG emissions, without at the same time reducing your production.
What measures could you suggest to us to bring about a change? These are measures that we will impose upon you, but you can tell us now what they should be. What should parliamentarians do in order for you to reduce your emissions? What measures would you agree to taking?