House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 1997, with 46% of the vote.
The Environment February 23rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the federal government and my department have a great concern about hazardous wastes and whether they are crossing borders or being dumped anywhere in the country.
We watch all cases very carefully to make sure that anybody that is perhaps not complying with standards is made aware of what the federal regulations and rules are. We will assure all members of this House that we are following through with our supervision, inspections and maintenance of standards.
The Environment February 3rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the federal government is looking into investing more in renewable energies both in research and development and in our own energy consumption.
My own department, Environment Canada, has invested in renewable energy for our facilities in Alberta. We will do more. We are working very aggressively not only with our government counterparts but with municipalities, business and industry.
We will have to do a lot of work to inform the Canadian public about the measures we must take to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
The Environment February 3rd, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the federal government considers the issue of climate change to be very serious. Since our meeting in Kyoto, Japan, I and the Minister of Natural Resources have spoken on several occasions with our colleagues.
Last Friday in St. John's, Newfoundland I met with my environmental counterparts from the provinces and territories. We are working with them to develop a national plan to mitigate the very worst effects of climate change. We believe that the measures we can take together co-operatively will be good for Canada, for our environment and for our economy.
The Environment December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, in fact, Canada has set a very good example internationally when it comes to reducing ozone depleting substances. We have set in place targets which we have exceeded. There were enormous economic benefits to this country, private business and individuals.
We hope this will set a good example for Kyoto.
The Environment December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the auditor general's report is taken very seriously by my department. In fact, Canada took a leading role in putting in place the Montreal protocol which deals with reducing ozone depleting substances. We are aware of the fact that there is illegal traffic in these substances and we are developing a national action plan to make sure that all ozone depleting substances are controlled in this country.
The Environment December 2nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, as I have said before, this government has gone through a long series of dialogue with all of our partners in this country, including the provinces and territories.
When we met in Regina, the provincial and territorial minister counterparts said that they recognize Canada needed flexibility when we went to Kyoto, that as a member of the international community we had to negotiate a convention and that it was in everybody's best interest in Canada that we are at the table and that we have a successful agreement in Kyoto.
The Environment December 1st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, this government believes that dealing with this issue, bringing in all of our partners to focus on measures in fact will be a win-win situation. The environment will be improved. We will have jobs created. There will be many benefits not only for Canada but also for the international community through our efforts.
The Environment December 1st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I understand from my colleague's comments that he supports the federal government in what it is trying to do.
We have made it very clear that implementation will depend on our plans and negotiations with all of our partners in Canada, after Kyoto, when we know exactly what the international legally binding targets are.
We will be there with the provinces, the territories, industry and business.
The Environment December 1st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the federal government has spent a lot of time talking with its provincial counterparts, territorial counterparts and with all sectors of Canadian society. They understand that Canada, as a trading nation, must be part of an international consensus and they understand that the government has to have some leeway.
Several provincial representatives and ministers will be officially accompanying our delegation to Kyoto.
The Environment December 1st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, we on this side are convinced that we have to address this issue because the cost of not addressing it will be higher than addressing it. We believe that Canadians, with their ingenuity, and our entrepreneurs will assure us that in fact we are going to create jobs in this country. We are going to experience energy efficiency. Our health costs are going to be reduced. Canada will be the big winner in this.