House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2008, with 57% of the vote.
The Environment June 11th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I wish the opposition would stop playing petty politics and get behind us. For instance, I would remind the House about wind energy. Yesterday we outlined the regulatory framework for the carbon exchange system. This system is very important for Quebec and the Montreal stock exchange. Yesterday's announcement concerning the offset system is a clear sign to the rest of the world of our commitment to fight climate change.
The Environment June 11th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, our position has not changed. The realistic target for Canada is a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to 2006 by 2020.
Our plan is adapted to the realities of Canada's industry, climate and geography. It is also adapted to Quebec's reality.
Infrastructure June 11th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, you should tell the hon. member that what should not be happening is the nonsense he is spreading in the House of Commons. That is what should not be happening.
Canada is a world leader, and 73% of our electricity system is non-emitting in terms of carbon dioxide. In the last throne speech we set an objective of achieving 90% non-emitting.
Canada will have one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world, and we are investing in excess of $200 million in this technology fund , including in wind energy.
That is what is happening, not what the hon. member is spreading in the House.
The Environment June 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the government introduced legislation to expand the Nahanni to over 30,000 square kilometres, which is six times its current size. We protect the ecosystem. We advance Nahanni's national world heritage status. We bring economic opportunities to the Dehcho, the Dene and the Métis.
As they are the only party to not yet offer support in the House, I ask the Liberals to get behind the Dene and Métis people to help speed this through the House of Commons so we might achieve the great act of conservation in a generation.
The Environment June 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe what the Bloc member is saying today. I just participated in a series of meetings in France, Norway and Denmark in preparation for the Copenhagen summit in December to fight climate change. I invited the Bloc Québécois to join me on this trip, but the Bloc prefers to play the armchair critic here.
The Environment June 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we can always expect a partisan attitude from the Bloc Québécois. Once again, the opposition is wrong. Our government is actively working to protect the environment.
Today at noon, I announced the creation of the foundation for the development of the carbon market and how it will work. Over the next 60 days, we will be holding consultations on this policy. We plan on introducing this policy in the fall, and the Bloc Québécois should work with us.
The Environment June 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, these remarks are simply not true.
The government is committed to protecting the environment. In fact, I have just come from announcing the foundation for the development of the carbon market here in Canada, the rules and requirements to create the offset system and the verification process by which those credits will be verified. They are spelled out in a document that will be available for 60 days of public consultation, all to be finalized this fall.
The Environment June 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we can always expect a partisan attitude from the Bloc Québécois. We are following certain principles that resulted from the climate change discussions, such as balancing environmental protection and the economy, the view over the long term, the development of green technologies, and the inclusion of all polluters.
Those are the main efforts made by the Government of Canada, and progress is being made as far as climate change is concerned.
The Environment June 9th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, our position has always been the same and has always been very clear: a realistic greenhouse gas reduction target for Canada is 20% by 2020, using 2006 as the reference year.
Our Canadian target takes the Canadian reality into consideration, for example our industry, our climate and our geography. The Bloc Québécois continues to work with us.
An Act Creating One of the World's Largest National Park Reserves June 9th, 2009
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-38, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act to enlarge Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)