Mr. Speaker, Canadians can be proud of the steps our government has taken to protect the environment.
The opposition parties deal in hot air and rhetoric, in contrast to the actual action our government is taking—action to improve the air we breathe, the land we occupy and the environment we work in.
While the Leader of the Opposition was spending time trying to undermine Canadian jobs and economic prosperity in Washington, our Minister of Finance was diligently working on a plan to secure our economic future and protect our environment.
The $325 million announcement in yesterday's budget for Sustainable Development Technology Canada will help to develop clean new technologies that will create efficiencies for businesses and sustainable economic development for all Canadians.
Our government recognizes the link between protection of the environment and security of our economy. Unlike the NDP and the Liberals, we do not believe one has to take a back seat to the other.