Mr. Speaker, the answer to the last question is not at all. The federal government is here representing the interests of all Canadians. I articulated this very clearly in this legislation, in carrying out a mandate to protect all Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
With regard to air, water and our natural environment, we work in consultation and in collaboration with other levels of government, including provincial, and I believe that is the way we can most effectively protect the environment. This government is committed to continuing to do so.
I was also criticized as a representative of the government with regard to our efforts on climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gases. As late as last Friday I had a very successful meeting with provincial and territorial counterparts from across the country. We discussed the very serious issue of climate change.
We all agreed we would support early action to reduce greenhouse gases but also that we would together develop a national implementation strategy so that together we can find the way to reduce greenhouse gases, to meet our target which is to achieve a reduction of gases to 6% below 1990 levels.
We want to reduce greenhouse gases to that level in the most cost effective way which means that we all must work together to find out where there is the greatest economic advantage to our achieving the reductions, recognizing this is an issue that will not only preserve, conserve and improve our environment but will represent very significant economic advantages.
With regard to the accord on harmonization I signed at the end of January with provinces and territories across Canada, with the exception of Quebec, I am still hopeful that there will come a day when Quebec will see that it is to its advantage as well to sign in with the federal government and all the other provinces and territories to understand that is the best way to protect our environment.
However, the principles and guidelines we signed into under that accord recognize the jurisdictions of all levels of government. It does not mean devolution of authority on the part of any level of government. However, the Quebec government was requesting not only in its words the exclusive jurisdiction of Quebec in environmental matters, which we know is inadequate, but for the federal government to devolve its authorities to the province, and that we will not do.
We want to work in harmony with provinces and territories to protect our environment to the highest level but we each want to maintain our significant authorities to protect that environment.