Mr. Speaker, I am sure that was not intentional. These gentlemen were listening so intently to what I had to say which I think I just excited them a little bit.
The Reform Party strongly supports ensuring that all Canadians and their descendants live in a clean and healthy environment. We are working on environmental policies that go much more in depth than what many may think and understand.
The environment is a national concern. I am sure it is a concern of the parties in the House today.
We support the concept of a public education program of environmentally conscious purchasing. In fact we believe the federal government should take a leadership role in that environmentally conscious purchasing while encouraging the private sector to follow. That is absolutely necessary. So often today we talk, talk, talk and we legislate from a government perspective but we do not lead by example.
We have to meet the needs of the present without compromising our ability to meet the needs of the future. In other words, we are looking for some action now and we cannot compromise the legislative things we are doing for the future. We need a long term perspective on this environmental program.
We believe environmental considerations must carry equal weight with the economic, social and technical considerations of any project that is put into place. It is a major step forward if we can finally judge things not just on the economics and the social viability but on the environmental viability as well. All programs, whether government or private industry, should make that assessment.
I have some other things to say, but before my time runs out I want to read something that I read in the House not too long ago in statements. I think it bears repeating. It was given to me by a young lady who very much believes in the improvement and the
quality of her environment. I read it several times and it touched me so much that I think it should be repeated again.
The words on this document are actually printed in a circle as though they were a small ball. It states: "If the earth were only a few feet in diameter, floating a few feet above a field somewhere, people would come from everywhere to marvel at it. People would walk around it, marvelling at its big pools of water, its little pools of water flowing between the pools. People would marvel at the bumps on it, at the holes in it, and they would marvel at the very thin layer of gas surrounding it and the water suspended in the gas. People would marvel at all the creatures walking around the surface of the ball and at the creatures in the water. People would declare it as sacred because it was the only one and they would protect it so that it would not be hurt. The ball would be the greatest wonder known and people would come to pray to it, to be healed, to gain knowledge, to know beauty and to wonder how it could be. People would love it and defend it with their lives because they would somehow know that their lives, their own roundness, could be nothing without. If the earth were only a few feet in diameter".
I think that says it all about environmental legislation. What we have here is only one precious resource in the universal globe. It is somewhat like a ball. We would cherish it so much if it were that size, but today to some extent we do not cherish it enough.
Finally there are several other items I want to talk about on where the Reform Party comes from in establishing some policy. We support the establishment of clear federal-provincial jurisdiction over environmental matters to reduce duplication, confusion and unnecessary regulation. We know this exists today. I sincerely hope the committee addresses that major important point.
The Reform Party supports promoting partnerships with provincial governments, private industry, our educational institutions and the public to promote environmental protection. The Reform Party supports the development of environmental regulations through consultation with industry and the public.
There is another item and that is ozone depletion. Much has been said about ozone depletion. In fact there are those who say it is not a problem at all. There are still no accurate measurements available today to determine whether or not ozone depletion is a fact or a myth. Conclusions that have been drawn about ozone depletion are based upon inaccurate computer models. Whether or not one believes the ozone layer is depleted, it is conclusive the items we use in society today do nothing but harm to our environment. Another issue is that of hazardous materials, whether they are considered commercially hazardous or industrially hazardous materials. It is another issue the committee should give great consideration to.
I would congratulate the government this one time for at least initiating something that will be very positive to communities throughout the country. I look forward to some action being taken that is positive, and if it is not many of us from the Reform Party in particular will be watchdogging it very closely.