Stephen Harper

[The Environment, November 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, it was the previous government that signed Kyoto over a decade ago. We are still waiting to see its plan.

The leader of NDP made a useful suggestion, and that is for the clean air act to go to a parliamentary committee where members could interview scientists, economists, industry leaders, environmentalists, technology experts and where the committee can itself assist the government in suggesting short term and mid term targets.

I would encourage the Liberals, after 13 years of neglect, to get on the bandwagon and start working on it.

[The Environment, November 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as the Leader of the Opposition will know, the government has tabled the clean air act which, for the first time in our history, will insist not only on reduction of air pollution, but reduction of greenhouse gases in Canada. It will, for the first time in history, have a national non-voluntary regulatory scheme for all Canadian industry.

What is amazing is, after 13 years in office when the Liberals did not table a single proposal, they have the gall to criticize anything.

[National Defence, November 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, once again, we are paying the bills to provide our soldiers with the equipment they need.

The truth of the matter is this. It costs money. It costs money to do the work of the international community in this dangerous country. It costs money to help the Afghan people. It costs money to support our troops. Whether the NDP is there or not, Canadians will always be behind our men in uniform.

[National Defence, November 7th, 2006]

Once again, Mr. Speaker, the request for the additional equipment came from the Department of National Defence itself. Its view is that this equipment is necessary for the military to complete its mission, which as we know is not simply a peace and security mission but is also aimed at development in Afghanistan.

We stand firmly behind our military and we will always make sure they have the equipment they need when they are in the field.

[The Environment, November 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, once again, our government intends to set targets in the coming year. By 2011, we will have a system for the entire Canadian economy. This is major progress. This is the first time a Canadian government has been determined to reduce pollutants and greenhouse gases and to adopt a mandatory regulatory system.

[The Environment, November 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Bloc Québécois can find his answer by reading the notice of intent on Canada's Clean Air Act.

It recommends the possibility of having an emissions exchange. The government is clear on this: industries, not taxpayers, will have to cover these costs.

[Canada-EU Summit, November 7th, 2006]

Once again, Mr. Speaker, I do not plan to extend my travel in Europe. I met with the European Union leadership earlier this year, and we will meet again next year.

As I just said, the Minister of the Environment plans to meet with her European counterparts in Nairobi next week.

[Canada-EU Summit, November 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as I say once again, I am travelling to NATO for a NATO summit and I do not plan to extend that travel. I have met with the European Union leadership earlier this year and I hope to meet them again in the months to come.

The Minister of the Environment will be meeting with her European Union counterparts in Nairobi to discuss these very matters.

[Canada-EU Summit, November 7th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, whenever the Prime Minister travels I receive numerous invitations to extend or continue that travel. In the next few weeks I will be travelling to Europe, Asia and in the Americas. I also have duties I need to perform in this country.

I met with the leadership of the European Union earlier this summer and I hope to do so again at the next available opportunity.

[National Defence, November 2nd, 2006]

Once again, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence indicated that the government will accept the report. The treatment of veterans, in this case, was unacceptable to this government and we are going to correct the situation.