Mr. Speaker, when built in 1972, the Sudbury superstack was the largest chimney in the world. Today, the mining company Vale has reduced emissions so much that it no longer needs the superstack. Last month, Vale announced that it was ending the use of the superstack in 2020. This is a story of progress, of doing things better, smarter, safer, and more efficiently.
However, Sudbury's real story of re-greening and regeneration, of rebirth, began because the superstack was built 45 years ago. Mining is in Sudbury's bloodstream, and the superstack was a mighty symbol of our industry.
Sudbury is an excellent example of the great strides that can be made in environmental protection and economic development.
Sudbury has gone from the pollution capital of Canada to one of the most innovative, green mining clusters in the world.
Is Sudbury a shining example? Yes, it is an example that a strong economy and healthy environment go hand in hand.
Forty-five years ago, bigger was better. Today, smarter is better.