Mr. Speaker, today in Toronto the federal government announced it will introduce regulations to reduce the level of sulphur in the gasoline sold in Canada. Scientists agree that sulphur causes emissions which contribute to air pollution.
In a report released last summer the Ontario Medical Association revealed that 1,800 people die prematurely in Ontario each year as a result of air pollution. Many more get sick and require hospitalization.
Over a period of 20 years it is estimated that low sulphur gasoline would prevent 2,100 premature deaths, 93,000 cases of bronchitis in children, 5 million other health related incidents such as asthma attacks and 11 million acute respiratory symptoms such as severe coughs and new cases of pneumonia and croup.
The facts are in. The evidence is clear. The initiative that was announced today will improve the quality of the air Canadians breathe and will help Canadians enjoy healthier lives.