Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Davenport raised an important issue when he asked this question of the Minister of the Environment a month ago. He of course based it on an editorial in the Globe and Mail. I want to refer to that which was on the subject of the need to take action on climate change. It was published shortly before the hon. member asked his question.
The editorial makes some good points about voluntary approaches and the need to adapt to a rapidly changing climate. These clearly are not enough to deal with the problem. After all, the evidence that our climate may be changing at an unprecedented rate is rolling in on a daily basis as the hon. member has indicated.
In Canada, the summer of 1995 was the third warmest in a century. The year 1995 was the second worst year in history for forest fires. Record rains have hit Alberta and five early season tropical storms hit parts of the Atlantic provinces.
This year is shaping up as the earth's warmest year on record. It is also a preview of what we can expect in the future. Scientists are concluding that recent data constitute growing statistical evidence that their previous predictions of climate change are being borne out.
Therefore, in calling for voluntary reductions of emissions of greenhouse gases the Globe and Mail is heading in the right direction. After all, the Globe and Mail would have us recognize that the costs of climate change are also rapidly rising. Damages from the Alberta floods in June exceeded $50 million. Heat and humidity helped fuel one of Ontario's most destructive storms, causing $20 million in property losses and firefighting costs associated with the loss of nearly seven million hectares of forest across Canada.
By reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases we will reduce the threat and costs of climate change and at the same time create jobs and become more competitive economically. I am quite sure that as Canada's business leaders continue to respond to the economic opportunity associated with reducing energy consumption, thereby reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, the Globe and Mail will take another step in the right direction and agree that the goals contained in Canada's national action program on climate change must be met, that we must stabilize our emissions of greenhouse gases at 1990 levels by the year 2000 and address further reductions over the longer term. Meeting such a goal will require that we take a mix of approaches, voluntary measures wherever possible and market-based or regulatory measures where appropriate.
As my time has run out, I conclude my remarks.