Peter Kent

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2012]

Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague from Mississauga South for reminding us about the importance of the acid rain treaty signed by a previous Conservative government 21 years ago, which has led to a significant reduction in illnesses like chronic bronchitis and asthma. Due in part to the acid rain treaty, but also to other measures, Canada has relatively clean air, compared with many countries in the world.

Despite the progress, though, as my colleague has reminded us, a significant portion of the Canadian population still lives in areas where they are affected by a variety of pollutants. This does have an implication for the health of Canadians. However, this government plans to address that challenge.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2012]

No, I will not, Mr. Chair. Our government's interest is that any organization which has the benefit of charitable status, does nothing to compromise that status.

I would remind my colleague that Canada Revenue Agency rules for a charitable agency explicitly prohibit any communication or call to political action, encouraging the public to contact or oppose any government policy or law.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2012]

I can inform my colleague I will be appearing before the Senate committee later this week, Mr. Chair, and I will appear with great enthusiasm before the finance subcommittee.

With regard to the member's confusion about our government's intention with regard to carbon pricing or carbon taxation, again I assure her that will not happen.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2012]

And they may well again.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2012]

Let me clear the air once again, Mr. Chair. This government will not now nor in the future impose a carbon tax on Canadians.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2012]

Yes, Mr. Chair, I can again assure my colleague that ozone monitoring will continue and so will the world-class service. I would remind my colleague that the Liberal plan was to impose a carbon tax on all Canadians which would impact on virtually everything and the cost of living of all Canadians. Our government will not go there. The carbon market itself is one of the most volatile and insecure in the world. Many of those who have invested in that market are wondering now whether they will ever see a return on that questionable investment.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2012]

Mr. Chair, I have reached a point where I cannot resist the temptation to remind my hon. colleague that the previous Liberal government paid mere lip service to environmental considerations, while it signed Kyoto without any thoughtful consideration or costing of the commitment it made. It did nothing about it, and emissions rose 30% under its watch.

Our government has moved forward. We have made a very clear and firm commitment to Copenhagen. We are moving sector by sector to regulate, and I can assure the House that we will meet those 2020 targets.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2012]

First, Mr. Chair, I would correct my colleague. In the Canadian Arctic, the 2°C increase has already been quite clearly surpassed.

With regard to ozone monitoring, my colleague seems to think I make the decisions and I assign the locations from where the ozonesonde balloons are launched. That is not the case, and she knows full well that Dr. Dodds is the responsible official for that very essential and important service. She has assured the environment committee that the ozone monitoring program will continue effectively, scientifically acceptable, and the service will continue to be provided to clients around the world.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2012]

Mr. Chair, the adaptation research group is, like climate change, an evolving organization. As we address the challenges of climate change, both in terms of mitigation and also with regard to adaptation, we respond and direct our resources to where they are best applied.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2012]

Mr. Chair, there are a variety of funding instruments in place to address both climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation. Some months ago $150 million was committed, and I can tell my colleague that $252 million is committed to support regulatory activities to address climate change and air quality.