Christian Paradis

[The Environment, June 9th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House today about Canada's newest coal-fired steam turbine generator located in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

The Genesee 3 power plant cuts greenhouse gas emissions of carbon dioxide by up to 52% compared to older coal plants through the use of new technology. Genesee 3's environmental performance matches power stations that burn natural gas, but does so for a fraction of the price and shows that coal, with the right technology, can be clean.

Not only does this Alberta plant reduce greenhouse gases, but, like the Conservative plan to increase the ethanol content of gasoline, it helps to keep clean the air that we breathe, keeping harmful pollutants out of the atmosphere.

The Genesee 3 power plant is an example of a technologically-based plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without any adverse effect on the economy. This technology is ready to be used as part of a made in Canada plan to keep our air clean.

[Atlas of Canada, June 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I draw the attention of the hon. members of this House to the fact that the Atlas of Canada is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2006.

Over the past 100 years, the Atlas of Canada, which is produced by Natural Resources Canada, has provided snapshots of Canada's society, economy and environment.

The Atlas helps Canadians understand a variety of concepts, issues and decisions set in a geographical context, both locally and nationally.

Since an online edition of the Atlas was launched in 1994, there has been a thousandfold increase in the number of Canadians who have visited the www.atlas.gc.ca website to view maps.

I invite the hon. members of this House to join me in congratulating Natural Resources Canada and the Atlas of Canada staff on this important milestone in the remarkable history of an institution that has been inextricably tied to the advancement of Canada as a nation.

[June 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, we are in the process of developing a plan to reduce greenhouse gases that will meet the particular needs of Canadians.

In the meantime, the government manages some 95 different programs that address climate change. These programs will continue in the current fiscal year and temporary financial assistance will be available. The ministers concerned will make relevant announcements on specific programs.

From the beginning we realized that some programs were not achieving the desired results. The One Tonne Challenge, for example, is a marketing campaign that was implemented by the previous government. We do not want to adopt that approach. We want to use taxpayers' money in a way that will achieve the best results. We want to implement more effective and efficient programs to reduce emissions. We will continue to review current activities and support those that work.

Furthermore, we are planning to add new activities that will help improve performance for all Canadians. We are committed to establishing a strategy that will ensure the quality of air, water, soil and energy for generations to come, and we will follow through.

[June 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to reply today to the question asked by the honourable member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley on May 12.

The honourable member was concerned about the EnerGuide program and other programs implemented by the previous government to deal with climate change.

I would like to remind the honourable member that the Minister of Finance has committed $2 billion to the environment and energy efficiency in the budget tabled a few weeks ago. In that budget $380 million is allocated to the climate change program. It is a significant investment.

We believe that such an investment would be put to better use and give better results than the moneys spent by the previous government. Our government is committed to pursuing new avenues in the area of climate change policies. We want to establish a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a plan that will take into account the economic, social and environmental context of our country. We want to establish a plan to ensure that we have clean air, water, soil and energy for Canadians, and an effective and realistic approach to climate change issues for Canada. It is not enough to follow in the footsteps of the previous government, that is, to make an international commitment without adopting a plan to implement it and without determining the repercussions for Canada. We have seen the results of that approach.

Several years after the Liberal government brought in programs and spent hundreds of millions of dollars on climate change initiatives, we are still a long way from producing meaningful results and honouring our commitments.

The Liberals were aiming at a 6% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Today, Canada's emissions are 35% above that target. It is time to restructure our climate change programs. It is time for practical solutions.

The budget contains $380 million for climate change initiatives. This is the same amount the previous government allocated. But now we have to find the best way to use that money to have the greatest impact on climate change. Some existing programs can be tailored to our strategy. In other cases, though, we will have to see whether taxpayers' money can be better used to support the new strategy. All the climate change initiatives are being reviewed to ensure that they produce real results for Canada.

After examining the EnerGuide for houses retrofit incentive program, the government concluded that taxpayers' money could be better used and allocated to initiatives that will have a greater impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As a result, the program ended at midnight on May 12, 2006. Homeowners who had an evaluation performed under the EnerGuide for houses program still qualify for a grant provided that they make the residential energy upgrades and meet all the program requirements by March 31, 2007.

The government is working on a new strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The various ministers responsible will announce specific initiatives in the weeks and months to come. The House will see the wisdom of investing in programs that will have a real impact on air and water quality and energy efficiency for Canadians.

[Appalaches School Board, June 1st, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few moments to tell you that the Appalaches school board, in my riding of Mégantic—L'Érable, is celebrating the centenary of its inception with the theme, “One hundred years of school, one hundred thousand projects”.

To celebrate, the members of the centenary's organizing committee are offering a panoply of exciting activities for students, staff and the public at large.

In celebration of this historic moment, various competitions will be held, including one highlighting the artistic and public speaking talents of our young people, which will be held in the primary and secondary schools. It will be a project all students in the area will find both stimulating and enriching.

The Appalaches school board is a major and active player in the region's development, and I am proud to point that out. Needless to say the school board's centenary provides a wonderful opportunity to recognize all that is being done in the field of education in our region.

The major centres have nothing over our region.

A thank you to all who have contributed in any way to organizing this hundredth anniversary.

[Natural Resources, May 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, what makes no sense is that only 50¢ of every dollar goes into the taxpayer's pocket. This has to be evaluated. That is the government's mandate. It will take the time to do things properly instead of rushing to bring in programs that are ineffective.

[Natural Resources, May 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the minister is clear on the EnerGuide program. What is unacceptable is that only 50¢ of every dollar goes into the taxpayer's pocket, and that is what must be changed. We are conducting evaluations so that we can set up effective programs. That is what Canadians asked for.

[Natural Resources, May 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, there was no action on energy efficiency and climate change in the past 13 years. An evaluation process is under way to improve this situation and take effective action for Canadians. We are getting rid of ineffectiveness and introducing effective programs. That is what needs to be done.

[Natural Resources, May 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the government was elected to provide responsible management. It will take the time to separate what is effective from what is not.

The EnerGuide program put only 50¢ in the taxpayer's pocket. Canadians do not want this; they want effectiveness. That is what we will give Canadians.

[The Environment, May 12th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, there was no mistake in that case. What the minister said was that 50 cents on the dollar goes to taxpayers, and that is what is unacceptable.