Mr. Speaker, global climate change presents one of the most significant challenges the world has ever faced. Reducing greenhouse gases will take a concerted and co-operative effort by the world's nations when they meet next month in Kyoto, Japan to reach an agreement to solve this problem.
Our government is consulting with many stakeholders in advance of the Kyoto summit so that Canada makes a solid, balanced and positive contribution through realistic and attainable goals on greenhouse gas emissions.
While the issue of global climate change is a challenging one, it also presents a number of important opportunities for Canadian companies and know-how.
Canada has long been a leader in the development and export of environmentally sound technology. The worldwide effort to reduce greenhouse gases will result in a growing foreign market for Canadian expertise abroad and the creation of jobs at home.
As chairman of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations, I look forward to studying ways of assisting Canadian companies and workers to benefit fully from the opportunity this challenge presents.
Canada will be a full and co-operative participant in the worldwide drive to control the emission of greenhouse gases. Future generations deserve our best efforts.