House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 1997, with 46% of the vote.
Environment November 19th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the federal government will work with all partners in Canada to implement a plan to deal with the issue seriously, the real issue of climate change. There will be a package of measures on the table and there will be a consensus in the country about what we do.
What will the Reform Party do? Everybody in the country would like to know. Their gases could be reduced.
The Environment November 18th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, we still have not heard any position from the Reform Party. The reality is that we had a federal-provincial communique last week in Regina in which the provincial ministers said that they agreed that the federal government should have flexibility with regard to our targets.
They said that they wanted emissions reduced by approximately 2010 and agreed that there should be further reductions after that. We wish that the Reform Party would show some concern for the environment and its serious national interest.
The Environment November 17th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, we suddenly do have an issue upon which we can agree: that the opinion of the Reform Party does not matter.
Our Canadian partners recognize the importance of Canada playing a role to make sure that we have a success in Kyoto. Therefore, we have to negotiate in the international forum to make sure we have a success in Kyoto.
Other parties in this country, provinces, territories and municipalities recognize the important role that—
The Environment November 17th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, this government would love the Reform Party to announce its position about whether or not it considers this to be a serious issue.
So far we hear nothing but scaremongering, fear, denial. What does this party represent?
We had a successful meeting in Regina with environment and energy ministers from all provinces and all territories who agreed that this is a serious issue and wanted the federal government to negotiate an international success for Kyoto.
We are working with all partners in this country toward implementing a strategy that will reduce emissions.
The Environment November 17th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I have to repeat that what came out of our meeting Regina last week was not a definitive position of the federal government with regard to the meeting in Kyoto. We did agree with our provincial environment and energy counterparts to flexible ideas of what targets we might put in place. However, the provinces recognize the important and significant role that the Government of Canada plays in negotiating international agreements.
The Environment November 17th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, we had a very successful meeting in Regina last week, as I said, with environment and energy ministers in which we recognized that climate change is a real and serious issue that all of us in Canada must confront. We had a significant agreement about this and the fact that we will define implementation strategy post-Kyoto. They gave us the flexibility as an international negotiator to work with the international community for success in Kyoto.
The Environment November 17th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to a successful agreement in Kyoto in order to reduce greenhouse gasses. The environment and the issue of climate change are extremely important to the government and we are working nationally and internationally to have a good agreement.
There are other parties in this country who have not contributed in a positive way to make sure that we deal with the fundamental problem of climate change in Canada and around the world.
The Environment November 17th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, at this point the federal government has not announced targets and time lines because we are playing a very important role in Canada and internationally to bring together parties so that we can achieve a success in Kyoto.
As a matter of fact, we have worked as no other government before has worked with all parties, all partners, provinces, territories, business and municipalities to try to come to a consensus about what our Canadian position should be.
We had significant success at our meeting with environment and energy ministers in Regina last week.
Environment November 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I and my colleagues are in constant dialogue with all the partners on this important agenda, including the provinces. Yes we will be meeting with the energy and environment ministers next week in Regina. The agenda for that meeting is known to them.
Environment November 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to legally binding targets in Kyoto. We are dealing with every partner in this country in reaching our goals and timetables. We are open to any consideration and any suggestions from other parties in this House. We would like to encourage all Canadians to be involved in this very important agenda.