I come from the community of Guelph. We've adopted what we call the “community energy plan”, and we're very proud of it. Some of you are nodding, to suggest that you might be aware of it. We're tapping into methane from former dump sites. We're planning on harnessing heat that's otherwise lost into the atmosphere at the Owens Corning plant and pumping it to other industry or housing. Better transportation programs...all of those things that I know you know are necessary to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. We're taking our lead from communities in Europe, Scandinavian countries.
From my understanding of the issue, and indeed, following Places to Grow, the Ontario program, in fact intensification--to allay Mr. Hiebert's concerns—leads to less crime, increased efficiencies, more jobs, fewer greenhouse gases. That's my impression.
First of all, is my impression, or that premise, correct? And how do you assess the energy performance of Canadian communities in comparison to those of Europe? Is it something we should be afraid of? Should we be afraid to pursue those models?
I'd like to ask all three of you, starting, perhaps, with Mr. Bataille.