Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to continue the debate on this very worthwhile and important motion, Motion No. 300.
I think this motion which deals with energy efficiency and the federal government's response to the calls and expectations of energy efficiency is a very timely debate and discussion. The impact of the Department of Natural Resources Canada's programs on energy efficiency has been very positive both for the environment and for the economy.
Picking up where I left off I would like to say to the hon. member for Winnipeg Centre that he was quite correct in his earlier conversation with the House when he made the link between energy efficiency and job creation. Every $1 million invested in energy efficiency projects generates approximately 20 years of employment and millions are being invested each year.
Canada's energy services industry grew by 600% between 1991 and 1995 and is now a $300 million industry.
Energy efficiency also creates indirect jobs and it reduces operating costs for industry and businesses which in turn makes them more competitive in domestic and international markets. Competitive companies grow with the economy and generate employment and income for all Canadians.
Canadian industry is showing the way when it comes to energy efficiency. Nearly 250 companies, representing about 75% of total industry energy use in Canada, have registered with Natural Resources Canada's industrial energy innovators program. About 80% of these companies have filed voluntary action plans to improve their use of energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Ninety-seven per cent of the participants in the industrial energy innovators have also registered with the climate change voluntary challenge and registry incorporated and with the VCR. Another 46 industrial companies have registered directly with the VCR. Through the Canadian industry program for energy conservation, industry has formed 19 individual sector task forces that work in close partnership with Natural Resources Canada in finding ways of improving energy efficiency.
Let me give the House some other examples of Canadian energy efficiency achievements. During the 1990s the amount of energy used by new clothes washers and dryers, for example, decreased by about 20%. New refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers are using between 30% and 40% less energy than those manufactured just 10 short years ago. Those improvements are largely the result of federal regulations that establish minimum energy performance standards for household appliances and for other energy using products.
Progress is also being made in the transportation sector which is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. The sales weighted average fuel consumption rating for new cars sold in Canada improved by about 8% from 1990 to 1996.
From a technology perspective Canadian leadership is particularly evident in the buildings area. For example, for the past two years the energy technology branch of Natural Resources Canada has spearheaded the green building challenge 1998, an international project to develop and test a system to assess the environmental performance of buildings around the world. Just last month Canada hosted more than 600 international delegates at the green building challenge conference in Vancouver. This event was a huge success and strengthened Canada's position at the forefront of green building design and construction.
Canadian firms are also developing leading edge energy efficiency manufacturing processes. For example, with research and development support from Natural Resources Canada, Stackville Limited of Mississauga, Ontario has developed an innovative powder metallurgy process for manufacturing automative parts. The process eliminates casting, forging and tooling operations which means it saves both energy and materials. It has helped make Stackville one of the largest producers of powder metallurgy auto parts in North America.
We are finding that you do not have to be a large corporation to be a world leader. A small company from Lethbridge, Alberta is generating a great deal of interest after developing the world's first cargo carrying natural gas motorcycle, again with support from Natural Resources Canada. The so-called cargocycle produces 20% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a similar gasoline powered motorcycle and has enormous potential in the international markets. This company is now exploring options for commercial production that could mean 3,000 new jobs in Canada.
I thank the hon. member who put forward this motion for his efforts. It is providing government with an opportunity to highlight our achievements to date. I look forward to continue working with him and this House in advancing the cause of energy efficiency and in the process advancing the cause of Canadian industrial efficiency and productivity.