Mr. Speaker, the motion before us focuses more on the economic impact than the environmental impact of an energy efficiency strategy.
You may have noticed that the motion deals for the most part with the economic benefits associated with such a strategy. Basically, it suggests that an energy efficiency strategy would promote job creation while at the same time boosting export opportunities.
In that sense, the motion put forward by the hon. member for Winnipeg Centre hits the mark. There are undeniable financial benefits to energy efficiency. In this respect, the experience of Quebec is a case in point. As the Quebec minister responsible for natural resources, Guy Chevrette, recently pointed out, Quebec has successfully developed a whole economic structure around energy efficiency.
The latest available statistics date back to 1994 but nevertheless speak volumes. The commercial activities associated with the manufacturing, distribution and installation of energy-efficient products brought in nearly $2 billion for Quebec businesses alone. And these activities created approximately 13,000 jobs for Quebeckers.
We are talking about a real industry here, a business that is not only booming on domestic markets but also very promising in terms of export potential. In fact, Quebec's new energy efficiency agency, about which I will say more in a moment, has taken a proactive approach to international relations. This openness to the rest of the world is designed to preserve and reinforce Quebec's expertise in this respect.
In short, the economic basis for Motion M-300 is absolutely sound. However, this motion fails to address the environmental impact, which is unfortunate and rather surprising. More than ever, energy efficiency appears to be an inescapable way of meeting international requirements in relation to climate change and the greenhouse effect. Natural Resources Canada has already started implementing an energy efficiency strategy.
It is well known that the resources now devoted to energy efficiency initiatives are modest. Strategic tools are limited and Natural Resources Canada is focussing primarily on public awareness. The following question therefore arises: are existing initiatives well managed and are they having a real and positive impact on the environment?
In this respect, the 1997 auditor general's report identified the areas in which Natural Resources Canada's implementation of its energy efficiency strategy was weak. The auditor general pointed out that there is no clear link between federal energy efficiency initiatives, on the one hand, and Canada's environmental objectives, such as stabilizing green house gas emissions at 1990 levels, on the other.
Furthermore, the contribution of existing measures to the attainment of stabilization objectives is not being well measured. The department's performance data do not allow this specific input to be measured. Nor do they allow us to measure the overall success of existing energy efficiency initiatives. All this was pointed out by the auditor general in 1997.
Motion M-300 proposes that the government invest in a comprehensive energy efficiency strategy. Logically, the motion implies that the Government of Canada should launch new initiatives. Before doing so, however, the federal government should first ensure that its existing initiatives are having a positive impact, one that is measurable and verifiable.
The motion before us today does not say which department or agency should implement the exhaustive strategy proposed. Caution would dictate better management of existing initiatives before Natural Resources Canada or the new energy efficiency office is given responsibility for implementing new initiatives in this area.
As a Bloc Quebecois member, I am particularly concerned about the question of jurisdiction. Energy is a provincial responsibility. This obviously includes energy efficiency. Furthermore, Quebec is in the forefront when it comes to energy efficiency.
Despite an increase in our population and in our economic activities, Quebeckers use the same amount of energy they did 20 years ago.
This is a testimony to the considerable efforts made by Quebec with respect to energy efficiency. Quebec is leading the way in Canada with its energy efficiency legislation, particularly as it applies to new buildings.
In 1997, the Government of Quebec created the Agence de l'efficacité énergétique. This agency has the backing of all Quebeckers. The legislation that created it was passed unanimously in the National Assembly. The agency will be the focal point for anything having to do with energy efficiency in Quebec.
Agency president Michel Dallaire shared his vision for the new agency last May. I quote:
Between now and the year 2001, the Agence de l'efficacité énergétique wishes to gain recognition as the key Quebec source of reference for energy efficiency and an unbiased promoter of its economic and environmental advantages.
One of this agency's mandates is to support R&D in energy efficiency technologies. This is, in fact, one of the main concerns in the motion by our colleague for Winnipeg Centre.
Of course, the Government of Canada regulates interprovincial commerce involving energy-consuming machinery and equipment. Through its spending powers, the federal government also devotes considerable resources to the promotion of energy efficiency, particularly in the areas of R&D and transportation.
Motion M-300 might be interpreted as being intended to encourage the Government of Canada to broaden its jurisdiction over energy efficiency. The Bloc Quebecois certainly has no intention of helping the federal government to broaden its jurisdiction. The federal government ought not to be needlessly duplicating provincial efforts.
Any major federal initiative in the area of energy efficiency ought to start off by gaining the support of the provinces. The Bloc Quebecois wishes to ensure that increased federal resources for energy efficiency will be used to support provincial objectives and strategies in this area.
If the federal government were to put new programs into place in this field, Quebec and the other provinces ought to be able to opt out of these programs with full compensation. In Quebec, the Agence de l'efficacité énergétique would be responsible for managing the amounts in question, according to its own priorities and strategy.
In conclusion, the economic concerns underlying Motion M-300 are entirely laudable. Investing in energy efficiency can lead to the creation of thousands of jobs and open up new markets for businesses in Canada and in Quebec. The Bloc Quebecois is not questioning this logic. However, economic logic should not be the sole criterion by which this motion is judged.
The primary raison d'etre for an energy efficiency strategy is to improve our environmental performance. Unfortunately, the Government of Canada's track record in this regard is disappointing. Existing initiatives could be much better managed.
This is why we are reluctant to support the motion. Before investing more money, the government must ensure that existing programs are well run.
Furthermore, it is primarily for jurisdictional reasons that the Bloc Quebecois has doubts about the content of this motion. Quebec has its own agency for energy efficiency issues, which will be responsible for all matters having to do with energy efficiency in Quebec.
We wanted to move an amendment to Motion M-300 that would have reflected provincial jurisdictions. Unfortunately, under the Standing Orders, such an amendment would have gone beyond the scope of the present motion and was therefore not allowed, leaving us no choice but to oppose the motion before us.