Leona Aglukkaq

[The Environment, March 31st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, again, our government is taking action on climate change.

We are a founding member of, and a major financial contributor to, an international coalition taking action to reduce pollutants such as black carbon and methane. We have also made addressing these pollutants a priority under Canada's chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

We have contributed $1.2 billion in developing countries so that they can reduce emissions. For example, we are making investments in projects in Kenya, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile to help them adapt to climate change and strengthen their economies.

[The Environment, March 31st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this question is coming from an individual who received a fossil award when she was environment minister for B.C.

Our government is committed to protecting the environment while keeping the Canadian economy strong. Since 2006, our government has invested significant funds in more efficient technologies, better infrastructure and adaptation, and clean energy. We have also taken action on two of the largest sources of emission in this country, namely the transportation and electricity generation sectors. In fact, in the first 21 years of our coal regulations, we expect a cumulative reduction in greenhouse gas emissions equal to removing 2.6 million vehicles from the road.

[The Environment, March 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, let me continue on.

Our government is also providing additional funding to support the Earth Rangers, which educates children about biodiversity and empowers them to become directly involved in protecting the environment. We have renewed funding for Sustainable Development Technology Canada, and implemented a world-class monitoring system for the oil sands.

Our government has also increased the penalties for those found guilty of breaking our environmental laws and provided additional funding for the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

We have done this without introducing a carbon tax, which they would have done.

[The Environment, March 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, no government has done more on the environment than our government.

We have invested record amounts, which include over $4 billion in science and technology at Environment Canada alone. We have invested a quarter of a billion dollars in Canada's weather services. We have given new tax support for clean energy generation.

Building on our record of protecting a historic amounts of land, budget 2014 is investing a significant amount of money to protect Canada's national parks and the environment; and right now we are providing almost $400 million to make even more improvements to our highways, bridges, and dams. Budget 2014 is also proposing to enhance incentives to encourage additional donations—

[The Environment, March 27th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government is taking action to address climate change.

Since 2006, we have invested more than $10 billion in green infrastructure, energy efficiency, adaptation, cleaner technology, and cleaner fuels. Thanks to our actions, carbon emissions will go down by 130 megatonnes from what they would have been under the Liberal government.

We are accomplishing this without the Liberal and NDP carbon tax, which would raise the price of everything.

[The Environment, March 26th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, no federal government has done more for the environment than this government. We have invested a record amount of $4 billion in science and technology at Environment Canada alone. We have invested a quarter of a billion dollars in Canada's weather services. We have given new tax support for clean energy generation. Building on our record of protecting historic amounts of land, budget 2014 is also investing a significant amount of money to protect Canada's national parks and the environment, and we are providing almost $400 million to make even more improvements—

[The Environment, March 26th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government is taking action on climate change. We have introduced new emission regulations for vehicles. We were the first major coal user to ban the construction of traditional coal-fired power plants.

Thanks to our actions, carbon emissions will go down by close to 130 megatonnes from what they would have been under the Liberals. We are accomplishing this without the Liberal and NDP carbon tax.

[Questions on the Order Paper, March 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), in July 2013 Environment Canada enforcement officers conducted a follow-up inspection at the Port of Quebec. Environment Canada issued an inspector’s direction in 2011 requiring that those responsible for the deposits take all measures consistent with safety and with the conservation of fish and fish habitat. The Port of Quebec is currently complying with the requirements of the inspector’s direction.

With regard to (b), there was one complaint regarding this incident.

With regard to (c), scientific analysis of the samples of water from the sedimentation basin of the Port of Quebec did not demonstrate any effective deleterious substances in the effluent discharge into the St. Lawrence River.

With regard to (d), as per the directive mentioned above, Environment Canada informed the responsible parties, in writing, of their obligations under the Fisheries Act.

[The Environment, March 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government is taking strong actions against climate change, and I am proud of a government that is getting things done. We have a sector-by-sector regulatory approach that allows us to protect both our environment and our economy. This is way different than when the leader of the official opposition was environment minister for Quebec, when Greenpeace actually named June 13, “Thomas Mulcair Smog Day”.

[The Environment, March 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, again, our government is a world leader when it comes to addressing climate change. We continue to work with the provinces and the territories on reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector, and it is premature to comment further on any future regulations, as we are in discussions.

However, what I can tell the member is that thanks to our actions, we have seen significant reductions in greenhouse gases, unlike the Liberal government that increased greenhouse gas emissions by 130 megatonnes.