House of Commons Hansard #53 of the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was americans.

Topics

6:35 p.m.

Langley B.C.

Conservative

Mark Warawa ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for the question and also for his commitment to the environment in dealing with issues such as pollution and climate change. I also appreciate his work on the environment committee and his dedication.

The question that the member raises is based, as he said himself, on rumour. I caution the member on asking questions based on rumour. We need to get the facts and so he is asking for the facts.

The government absolutely recognizes that climate change is occurring and the importance of taking action on climate change.

That is why this new Conservative government is taking concrete action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to improve air quality for the health of all Canadians and for the health of our environment.

The minister herself hosted representatives from 70 countries at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change workshop in Edmonton several months ago to address the issue of adaptation related to climate change.

It is clear that we need to take action. For 13 years the Liberals did virtually nothing to address climate change. The Liberals were all talk and no action. Because of that, Canada's greenhouse gas emissions have increased to 35% above the Kyoto target. The Liberal solution was to send billions of taxpayers' dollars overseas. Hopefully, the member does not endorse sending billions of dollars overseas. We need those dollars to stay in Canada to find solutions in Canada.

That is why we are taking the time to develop a made in Canada plan that will provide real action and reduce greenhouse gas emissions here at home.

6:40 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, the need is for this government to come forward and come clean on plans. In particular, I will ask the parliamentary secretary to speak specifically to the need for confirmed and fixed targets to reduce CO2 emissions in both the short and the long term.

Will the Conservative government be willing to commit to Canadians here this evening that, first, he said climate change is in fact happening. I am not sure whether he was willing to admit that it was caused by human activity. This is an important distinction that many climate change doubters will profess. They will say that climate change is happening but it has been happening for thousands of years. It is nothing to worry about, business as usual. Will the parliamentary secretary confirm that in fact humans are participating and accelerating climate change?

Second, will he be able to confirm to us this evening that whatever plans his government has been formulating, and they have claimed to have a plan for more than a year and half, so time has been available, that they will commit to short and long term targets to reduce CO2 emissions in this country?

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Warawa Conservative Langley, BC

Mr. Speaker, yes, human activity is having an impact on climate change. I think that is what science supports. If that is the member's question, then absolutely.

The member has also asked for the government to come clean. Actually, the government is coming clean with a clean air act. He is asking for specifics on that. It is a good plan. It has been developed through consultation and will be coming very soon.

I am sure the member would like me to provide details this evening, but he will have to wait for our plan which is coming soon. I hope the member will be very happy with it.

6:40 p.m.

NDP

The Deputy Speaker NDP Bill Blaikie

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 6: 42 p.m.)