Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the member for the Battlefords-Meadow Lake and give the perspective of the Minister of the Environment. I want to assure the member the accomplishments of the Government of Canada at the recent climate change negotiations in Berlin are proof that Canada has an essential role to play in finding solid solutions to environmental challenges both at home and on the international scene.
The government and the environment have come out of that conference a clear winner in what is considered a significant step forward. Countries agreed in Berlin that current commitments contained in the framework convention on climate change are inadequate.
All developed countries that signed the convention will be required to begin negotiations on the protocol concerning future commitments. Countries will be required to report on the emission reduction policy and measures as well as set quantified limitations and reduction objectives.
Also, countries have agreed on a pilot phase for projects which can be undertaken jointly between developed and developing countries. This concept, known as joint implementation, is an important opportunity for Canadian business. We now have the green light to pursue commercial emission reduction projects in other countries. This is good for global climate change objectives and good for business here at home.
Canada's national action program on climate change tabled in Berlin sets out strategic directions which Canada will follow to meet our own commitment to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000.