Environment committee  Right. I guess our main message on that would be, of course, any kind of auction, any kind of payment in lieu of, or credits that are generated, but also payments in terms of emissions, we've argued quite strenuously that they should be rolled into some kind of technology fund

Environment committee  I would just follow on Mr. Hyndman's comments. We do have the “Turning the Corner” plan, which was put out by the federal government, in our possession. There have been discussions in terms of updating that and we've had ongoing discussions with the federal government. It's a w

Environment committee  Billions of dollars.

Environment committee  The answer, of course, is that I've seen some of the international estimates and I've seen some of the projections and so forth.

Environment committee  I can't say I've seen specific data from the federal government, no.

Environment committee  I'll speak to that. We've been in close contact with our counterparts in the U.S., and there is definitely a view, industry association to industry association, that it's important--the U.S. is our largest trading partner--to have a comprehensive North American approach. I know

Environment committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank Committee members for giving me this opportunity to express my views regarding Bill C-311. The Canadian electricity sector is committed to reducing Canada's overall greenhouse gas emissions. The tar

Environment committee  I would agree with that. The architecture is sound, and we said that in our opening comments. But as Ed points out, a few tweakings are needed. Specifically we talked about section 11. Conservation agreements and permitting times, I think, are the two key issues we would highligh

Environment committee  I was referring to section the 11 of SARA dealing will potential agreements in specific situations. At this time, such agreements do not have legal force but the Act allows for them. I believe we should allow for establishing agreements in specific cases, with specific measures.

Environment committee  I believe that many companies have been asking this question for several years. Many resources have been spent to deal with this matter. Indeed, Mr. Birch referred to some of those situations. Of course, the Act is an incentive but I think you would be mistaken to claim that it i

Environment committee  From an electricity perspective, our capital stock turnover, the amount of our investment, and the way we are permitted through other regulatory bodies call for a longer period of time. There is not necessarily an inconsistency in wanting to have a longer horizon. There could be

Environment committee  Thank you. In British Columbia, lots of efforts are being made to try to create programs that would have very positive effects but the architecture and the provisions of the Act create problems. I will let Mr. Birch give you an overview.

Environment committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members of the standing committee, on behalf of the Canadian Electricity Association and its member companies, I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to appear before the committee this morning. First, let me say that the CEA president and CEO, Pierr