Leona Aglukkaq

[The Environment, June 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we welcome the movement in the United States to regulate greenhouse gas emissions related to the electricity sector.

Again, building on our record, we want to work with the United States on reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the oil and gas sector. Our countries should be taking action together, not alone.

This is consistent with what we are already doing, aligning with the United States on greenhouse gas emissions regulations in the transportation sector. For example, 2025 passenger vehicles and light trucks will emit about half as many greenhouse gas emissions in Canada compared to 2008.

[The Environment, June 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we welcome the move of the United States. We took action on this sector two years ago, which means that our regulations came into effect sooner than the United States'.

We also estimate that we will achieve a 46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in this sector by 2030, compared to 30% in the United States. We also have one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world, with 77% of our electricity supply emitting no greenhouse gas emissions, compared to 33% in the United States.

[The Environment, June 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Environment Canada scientists are part of the committee that conducted that study and that report.

Our government has made responsible resource development a priority. We have worked with the Province of Alberta to launch a world-class scientific monitoring system on the oil sands. This is transparent. It is a public process. We have some of Canada's top scientists involved.

The report shows our plan is working. We will continue to be transparent and promote independent scientific assessment and evaluation, demonstrated again by--

[The Environment, June 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Canada accounts for less than 2% of global greenhouse gases, and for this reason, Canada is pursuing an international agreement on climate change that includes real action by all emitters.

In the meantime, our government is doing its part domestically by taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. We have already taken action on the two largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in our country, and that is in the transportation sector and the electricity generation sector. Thanks to our actions, we will see a reduction in--

[The Environment, June 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, building on our record we will continue to work with the United States on reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the oil and gas sector. Our countries should be working together and taking action together, not alone.

This is consistent with what we are already doing by aligning with the United States on the greenhouse gas emissions regulations in the transportation sector. For example, 2025 passenger vehicles and light trucks will emit about half as much greenhouse gas in Canada compared to the 2008 models.

[The Environment, June 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Kitchener—Conestoga for that great question.

Yesterday, we introduced new multi-sector air pollutants regulations. These proposed regulations will establish, for the first time ever, mandatory national emissions standards for major industries across the country. These regulations will help to lower smog levels and improve air quality for all Canadians.

This announcement builds on the promises we made two years ago to put in place a new air quality management system. Canadians can count on our government to follow through with its promises.

[The Environment, June 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, building on our record, we will continue to work with the United States on reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the oil and gas sector. Our countries should be taking action together, not alone. This is why we welcomed the move from the United States two days ago on greenhouse gas emissions.

Again, this is consistent with what we are already doing by aligning with the United States on greenhouse gas emission regulations. In the transportation sector, for example, 2025 passenger vehicles and light trucks will emit about half as much greenhouse gas in Canada as the 2008 models.

[The Environment, June 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we welcome the move from the United States, and I say it is about time. In Canada, 10% of electricity generation comes from coal; in the United States, it is 37%. More than 60% of electricity generation is renewable in Canada. In the United States, it is just 12%. The statistics speak for themselves.

[The Environment, June 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Canada only accounts for less than 2% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, Canada is pursuing a new international agreement on climate change that includes real action by all major emitters.

In the meantime, our government is also doing its part by taking actions, domestically, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Since 2006, we have invested significant funds in more efficient technology, better infrastructure, adaptation, and clean energy.

[Parks Canada, June 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government is playing a leadership role when it comes to protecting our environment. That is why we have invested significantly to clean up and improve water quality and to protect fish in targeted areas such as the Great Lakes and Lake Winnipeg. We have also renewed the Great Lakes water quality agreements and our commitments to remediate contaminated sites.

The standing committee on environment has concluded its study on water quality on the Great Lakes, and I look forward to seeing the final report.