The Economy  Speaker, I want to thank the member for Peace River for his Perry Mason-like crisp and focused questions. Our government's sector-by-sector regulatory approach has helped to virtually stop the growth of greenhouse emissions in this country. But instead of wanting to raise a $21-billion super secret slush fund to increase the size of government on the backs of Canadian families and industry, have no fear, our economic action plan has helped to lower taxes and create over one million net new jobs since the depths of the recession, including over 54,000 new jobs for young Canadians in May alone.

Environment committee  Minister Kent referred to the government's approach to reduce GHG emissions in the transportation sector as part of our sector-by-sector approach. SDTC has played a key role in that in a lot of ways. I wanted to talk about one particular project that is very exciting and interesting to me as a member of the transport committee.

Environment committee  As we talk about what's going on abroad, it's something we should be very proud of as a country and as a people. Minister, I'd like you to talk a little bit about the sector-by-sector regulatory approach this government has taken to help meet these objectives and at the same time to help industry in our country meet these objectives by creating certainty and real results.

Environment committee  The oil sands operators themselves have made a commitment to reduce their emissions intensity to that of conventional oil just as soon as possible, again using technology and better practices. I think there is good news, both in our sector-by-sector approach and in the cooperation of industry, again ensuring that we continue in the still fragile economic recovery in terms of some global uncertainty but at the same time we do our part to address climate change.

Environment committee  We're addressing the mitigation of climate change through our sector-by-sector regulatory approach. As you know, colleagues have frequently asked questions in this regard in the House. With the regulations completed to date, and with actions taken by the provinces and municipalities, and by individual Canadians in terms of better use of thermostats, for example, we are just over halfway to achieving the reductions we have set as a target by 2020.

Environment committee  We are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving our natural environment, and ensuring the quality of our air and water. As you know, we have an effective sector-by-sector regulatory approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and we've already taken action on two of Canada's largest sources of emissions: transportation and electricity. By the time 2025-model-year cars hit our roads, it's estimated that vehicles will be consuming 50% less fuel and producing 50% fewer emissions compared to 2008 models.

The Environment  Mull this over complete with care, The Dippers and Libs would do nothing for air. The good news for us in environment week, Is our sector-by-sector approach that is sleek. Could the minister update us all today? And lift the debate above the fray.

The Environment  It has occurred under our government's tenure. That is why we have chosen to look at a sector-by-sector regulatory approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The member also has to recognize that natural resource production and the rules that govern that are primarily the focus of provincial jurisdiction.

The Environment  Speaker, I again respond to my colleague that while the NDP proposes a $21 billion carbon tax that would pick the pockets of Canadians without reducing a single megatonne of GHGs and while NDP members wander abroad attacking Canadian jobs, American jobs and responsible resource development, we have a sector-by-sector regulatory plan, which is working, which is reducing greenhouse gases and which is now halfway toward achieving our 2020 reduction targets.

Business of Supply  Our economic action plan is committed to that. We have been able to grow the economy while also reducing greenhouse gases. Our sector-by-sector industry consultation will help us achieve our goals in the future. As per the member's statements on wind, it is the provincial Liberal government in Ontario that has essentially put a moratorium on local communities deciding.

Business of Supply  The commitment set a goal of reaching these reductions by 2020. We stand by this commitment and are taking a sector-by-sector regulatory approach to reducing emissions, with a goal to meet this target. Our approach also works with Canadian employers to help sectors achieve their targets, while providing that important balance to ensure our economy keeps moving forward and the men and women from across our country keep their jobs in these challenging economic times.

Business of Supply  I am very proud that under this Prime Minister and this Minister of the Environment, we are making real progress toward our target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020, through a sector-by-sector approach aligned with the U.S., where appropriate. I probably should remind members that actually, Canada's entire economy, and we are an industrial nation, only amounts to about 2% of global emissions.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the sector-by-sector regulatory approach that our government has undertaken in the last several years has been designed to do just that. It has been to look at the emissions profiles of the major emitting sources in the country.

Business of Supply  Therefore, it is far more expensive for taxpayers to have a government such as the NDP or the Liberals in power bringing in carbon taxes and applying them to everything than it is to actually go through a regulatory sector-by-sector approach to improve and actually change emissions.

Business of Supply  However, this government is working to balance our environmental responsibilities, our stewardship with regard to the environment and our addressing, among other things, climate change, while ensuring that we do not discourage investment, do not strand investment, and do not drive investment away from our country and put Canadians' jobs at risk. It is with that sensitivity and awareness that we approached our sector-by-sector regulatory plan. We are very careful. That is why the NDP's proposed Tinker Bell approach of fixing everything with the wave of a wand does not match the reality of the challenges we face.