Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to draw attention to an event that will take place in the city of Hamilton this weekend.
Canada's Minister of the Environment is hosting a meeting of environmental ministers from the world's most industrialized countries, the group of seven. Also in attendance will be senior environmental officials from the European Commission and the United Nations.
The two days of discussions will focus on how G-7 countries can continue to work together to improve the world's economic and environmental health.
I would like to congratulate the minister on her fine work as Minister of the Environment both in Canada and internationally.
I am happy that the subjects under discussion will include, among other things, species conservation, climate change and international management of toxic substances. Discussion will also centre on how we as industrialized countries can encourage such organizations as the World Bank and the United Nations to take a more environmentally sensitive approach to development.
I urge the minister to use this conference to encourage all countries, including Canada, to live up to the commitments made at the Rio conference.
It is essential that when the leaders of the G-7 countries meet in Halifax this June, the concerns raised and discussed at the environment ministers conference this weekend are addressed.