David Anderson

[Kyoto Protocol, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I remind the hon. leader of the New Democratic Party that the premier of Saskatchewan signed the letter from the premiers to the federal government. I remind her that we fully intend to ratify after consultations with the provinces, with interested parties and, of course, with Canadians generally.

We also want to make sure that any plan does not put an unfair, unequal burden on any part of the country. Why the NDP would want to ratify before consultations and before the public knows what the burden might be is beyond me.

[Kyoto Protocol, February 18th, 2002]

Of course, Mr. Speaker, the government wants to ratify the Kyoto protocol. This is what the Prime Minister and our government wish to do.

However, it is unacceptable for us to do so without consulting the public, the stakeholders and the provinces. We are now being asked to ratify the protocol without even consulting the provinces, including Quebec.

[Kyoto Protocol, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we are in favour of ratifying the Kyoto protocol, but we will be consulting all the provinces, including Quebec.

We want to consult those Canadians who are interested in this issue, including the general public and special interest groups.

At the same time, we do not want the burden to be unequal between one side of the country and the other. This is what we want to do before deciding to ratify the protocol. Quebec may make a decision without—

[Kyoto Protocol, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the hon. member that Canada wants to have a plan without undue burden on any part of the country.

We also want to consult Canadians, provincial and territorial governments and stakeholders.

If Quebec wants to go ahead without public consultation, without asking that all parts of Canada support a fairly equal share of the burden, it is its prerogative.

[Kyoto Protocol, February 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government remains committed to the Kyoto protocol. We trust we will be able to ratify it. That is our aim. I have looked at the letter from at least nine of the premiers. I have found much in it that indicates that they too take the issue of climate change very seriously. They recognize it is currently impacting Canadians and they believe we must have effective measures to combat climate change in Canada.

[The environment, February 8th, 2002]

Of course, Mr. Speaker. We have studies that go back to 1997. We had talks with the provinces. I will attend a conference with provincial officials at the end of the month, and I will meet them again at another conference in mid-May. The discussions are continuing.

Over the past 12 months, I travelled five times to Alberta, that is to Calgary. I had meetings with the industry on two occasions over the past three weeks. We are in almost constant contact.

[The environment, February 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, there is no change in the policy of the Canadian government. We support a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. We have a plan in Canada. Our objective is to reduce these emissions by 6% compared to the 1990 level. We will achieve that objective.

There is no change, whether on the part of the government or that of the other parties involved.

[The Environment, February 4th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the decisions with respect to weather offices and forecasting offices have not been made by the government.

I can assure the hon. member and the House that as in the past we will continue to base our policies on resources available, on common sense and on potential efficiency gains to make sure we get the best protection for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

[The Environment, February 4th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the hon. member that the government is adding an extra $1 million to the Great Lakes sustainability fund, bringing the total to $3.4 million. This funding will assist in the creation of new fish and wildlife habitat, in the control of stream bank erosion and to minimize the effects of agriculture pollution.

We obviously have challenges that remain, but the government is committed to the environment and the Great Lakes.

[The Environment, January 31st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear from looking past the headlines to the story and actually reading the words of Ambassador Cellucci that he was not in fact urging Canada to take any particular position with respect to the Kyoto accord. This position has been confirmed with embassy officials. The ambassador was simply stating what all members of the House know, namely that the United States and the Canadian economies are closely linked. Could I add that the government has been clear that we wish to be in a position to ratify the Kyoto agreement following full consultation with Canadians, perhaps as early as this year.