Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for raising once again this issue which has a direct influence and effect on his jurisdiction.
This government clearly does understand that the reduction in greenhouse gases does not stop with our commitment at Kyoto. The issue raised here is put in the context of climate change and global warming and innovative solutions around those very significant problems.
The issue of climate change will be with us for a long time to come. However we are acting now to find a solution. Even as we reduce emissions, atmospheric concentrations will continue to rise for many decades before stabilization. This means that we will experience a continued increase in the human influence on global climate.
What is of major concern is the possible future rates of climate change. If we are to keep that rate of change within reasonable limits, we must begin to reduce emissions by applying new technologies within the next few years. We cannot wait decades before taking action.
The hon. member has raised a particular point on a particular issue. This government is always interested in innovative solutions and applying the knowledge and expertise of individuals, of academics, of other governments and as well of people throughout Canada in offering solutions to the climate.
We cannot afford at this time to pursue all options. We have to make choices and this sometimes has to be at the expense of very high risk and very long term expensive options.
We had to make difficult choices in this process. We simply do not have the resources to do everything we want to do but we will continue to work with hon. members and with the Canadian public at large to find the best, least cost, most effective options which will provide solutions in the Canadian context to climate change.