Mr. Speaker, it is my duty and indeed my pleasure to present today in conformity with Standing Order 109 of the House of Commons to table the first report of the committee of the environment and sustainable development.
In doing so, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the government for this most interesting assignment; the members of the committee for their work, advice, input and very thoughtful support; the clerk, researchers and support staff for their dedication, advice, guidance and the benefit of their experience.
I would also in a particular way like to thank all the witnesses and those who in large numbers advocated the thrust of this report, making most valuable recommendations on how the proposed commissioner of the environment and sustainable development is to operate.
We have looked at the future well beyond the next election. We have produced a report which, if adopted, would serve Canada well into the next century. What we are proposing, if adopted, would take Canada to the forefront in the global community both in anticipating and preventing depletions in our ecological and natural resource capital and in integrating economic with environmental goals so that once and for all we get out of the dangerous balancing act we find ourselves in as a society.
In adopting the committee's recommendations, the Government of Canada will be giving substance to its commitment to an environmentally sustainable future and will assume its rightful place as a leader in the world community.