Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is correct. The number of Canadians who die prematurely by reason of asthma and other respiratory diseases is indeed appalling.
We are approaching the subject on two fronts. One is domestically. We are attempting to work out with the provinces a new agreement to limit airborne contaminants to levels which will reduce that death toll.
In addition, I have undertaken discussions with the United States administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. These negotiations will continue until October. We hope to have a transboundary agreement on ozone, which is one of the major components of smog. I should add that is particularly important, because some 30% to 85% of the smog in Canada is from American sources.