Mr. Speaker, the federal government entered into an administrative agreement on pulp and paper with the province of British Columbia.
Through this agreement, co-signed by the B.C. minister of environment, lands and parks, the federal regulations under the Fisheries Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act will be administered in harmony with British Columbia's laws on liquid effluents from pulp and paper mills. It is an important example of this government's commitment to harmonizing its efforts with all provinces and territories to improve Canada's environment.
This is a win, win, win arrangement. Taxpayers win by having a more streamlined government. Management and pulp and paper workers win by having streamlined reporting and other procedures. The environment wins by having policies and procedures that are strong and consistent.
This agreement also meets an important objective of the Canada-British Columbia action plan on improving the efficiency of the federation.