Mr. Speaker, mercury is a toxic substance listed under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
In Canada mercury has contaminated fish as well as traditional northern foods. A large source of mercury emissions and other airborne pollutants comes from coal fired power plants. Their emissions are an environmental hazard and a public health risk.
Recently the states of New York and Connecticut have asked Ottawa to assess the damage caused by Ontario's coal fired power plants to their population. Hopefully the environment minister will conduct a comprehensive assessment, considering the fact that Canada has signed international agreements on mercury emission production.
The United Nations protocol on heavy metals committing Canada to reduce emissions of mercury, cadmium and lead by 50% requires now strong domestic implementation for the protection of public health.