Jim Prentice

[The Budget, January 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, my friend goes too far, even by the standards of this House.

Our commitment to the environment has never been clearer than it is in this budget. There is a new fund for green infrastructure, support for eco-energy retrofits, and a dedicated fund for new, clean technologies and energy projects, including carbon capture and storage.

These investments in green technologies of tomorrow will not only combat global warming, but they will also create the employment of tomorrow while cleaning up our air.

[The Environment, January 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I will continue to explain the budget for the member.

For example, it includes funding for clean energy, investment in renovating and improving social housing, a commitment to cleaning up contaminated sites, and investment in VIA Rail. All of these important budget measures will help reduce greenhouse gases. They will also result in a healthier environment.

[The Environment, January 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we disagree with the member. The member should have read the budget before asking his question.

Our commitments to the environment are clearer than ever. For example, we have included funding for green infrastructure and investments in ecoenergy renovations, green projects and carbon capture and storage. We are addressing climate change, and we are also creating jobs. The Bloc should be congratulating us, not criticizing us.

[The Environment, January 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, that is not the case. We are working on that issue with the United States. For example, the government has decided to harmonize its plan with the provinces, to adopt North American automobile fuel standards, and to introduce a regulatory system for greenhouse gas emissions for various industries.

[The Environment, January 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we disagree. It is right there in black and white in our platform, and we have now made a commitment in this area. We will implement a North American cap and trade system for greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric pollution, and we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020. These major commitments represent more than any other party has done.

[The Environment, December 2nd, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the member asked me to adjust my attitude, in particular toward the Kyoto protocol. I asked him why he had suddenly changed his position. Yesterday, the new leader of the Liberal-sovereignist coalition abandoned Kyoto and opted for a cap and trade system.

I am surprised that the Bloc abandons its principles so easily.

[The Environment, December 1st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I do not agree with much of that, but the real question for the House is how this poisonous and temporarily happy alliance will advance Canada's interests at all, specifically in the context of international conventions.

The NDP has a policy supporting a cap on trade. The leader of the Liberal Party supports a carbon tax. The Bloc supports only the breakup of our country.

[The Environment, November 26th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, we disagree. We inherited three realities. First of all, there is the current international economic situation. Second, there is a new president-elect in the United States. Third, there are the negotiations in Poznan, which will conclude in Copenhagen. The conference that will be held in Poznan is very important. It is very important to me and to the Government of Canada.

[The Environment, November 26th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, these issues will be raised in Poznan. Climate change continues to be a major priority for Canadians. As I already said, I will attend the meetings in Poznan. I will approach the primary players during the negotiations at this conference. Clearly, we have principles, and I want to make people understand Canada's position at this conference.

[The Environment, November 26th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, as the government said in the throne speech, we are committed to reducing Canada's greenhouse gases, and in particular, in the context of renewable energies, achieving by 2020 perhaps as much as 90% of Canada's electricity from non-emitting sources. This will clearly require investments in renewable energy, whether we speak of geothermal energy, solar energy, the bringing on of new hydroelectricity. These are all issues with which the government will deal in the days ahead.