Mr. Speaker, on March 27, Canada became the first country to ratify the amendments to the Montreal protocol dealing with ozone depleting substances.
The purpose of the amendments approved in Montreal this past September is to strengthen the treaty's provisions. These amendments include the prohibition of imports and exports of bromide between countries that have not signed the protocol, and the establishment of a world system to monitor the movement of ozone depleting substances.
The amendments to the Montreal protocol will only come into effect after being ratified by 20 states. This initiative demonstrates the Canadian government's determination to follow up on its decisions regarding the environment.