10 October 2006
Vancouver
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Good morning.
I am pleased to be accompanied by my colleagues:
Gary Lunn, from here in British Columbia, the Minister of Natural Resources,
Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment,
Tony Clement, Minister of Health,
And Lawrence, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
This morning we are here to talk about the environment.
Since taking office, Canada’s new government has undertaken a number of important environmental initiatives.
These include:
Action to reduce the release of mercury into our surroundings;
Reductions to the release of toxic substances from base metal smelters;
New tax incentives for the banking of environmentally-sensitive lands;
Funding for the development of renewable fuels;
And the introduction of new infrastructure funding dedicated to public transit, as well as tax credits for the people who use public transportation.
All these measures have this in common:
They are focused on outcomes and achievable results in creating a healthier ecosystem for ourselves and future generations over the long term.
Between work and family responsibilities, ordinary Canadians already have enough day-to-day pressures without having to worry about the quality of their environment and its effects on their health.
But with each year that passes, Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned about just that and, in particular, about the quality of air that they breathe.
Unfortunately, they have cause for concern.
Take one indicator of poor air quality, smog.
Over recent years, the number and severity of smog days across Canada has been on the rise.
This development is completely unacceptable to our government.
Poor air quality isn’t just a minor irritant to be endured.
It is a serious problem that poses an increasing risk to the health and well-being of Canadians.
If we do not seriously deal with atmospheric pollution starting today,
The quality of the air we breathe will continue to get worse.
That is why we must act.
In the past, politicians in Ottawa spent more time talking about the environment than they did tackling pressing problems like air pollution.
But our new government has a new approach.
A plan that is going to replace rhetoric with results.
A plan that is going to move from short-term headlines to long-term progress.
A plan that is going to get things done on the environment.
And that is why I’m here today in Greater Vancouver Area.
I am pleased to announce that, when Parliament returns next week, our government is going to introduce Canada’s Clean Air Act.
This Act will set in motion Canada’s first comprehensive and integrated approach to tackle air pollution and greenhouse gases,
And in doing so, deliver better air quality and address climate change.
Through its focus on enhanced regulation and enforcement, this approach will mark a fundamental departure from the approach of the previous government.
If passed, Canada’s Clean Air Act will allow us to:
Move industry from voluntary compliance to strict regulation;
Replace the current ad-hoc, patchwork system with clear, consistent, and comprehensive national standards;
And institute a holistic approach that doesn’t treat the related issues of pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions in isolation.
In short, this Act is going put in place the framework necessary to improve the air we all breathe.
Canada’s Clean Air Act wasn’t developed on the fly at a press conference.
It wasn’t written at an international meeting being held in an exotic location.
And we’re certainly not going to hire a comedian to promote it.
It’s a serious, Made-In-Canada plan that will deliver real results, over the long term.
In the weeks and months that lie ahead, our government will:
Consult extensively with industry, as well as our provinces and territories;
Lay out a regulatory framework;
Harness new technologies;
And move forward on achieving our targets.
Make no mistake about it.
We know what our destination is.
Our government is going to replace talk with action on the reduction of air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
As I have already said, Canada's Clean Air Act is yet another measure by Canada's new government to improve the quality of our environment.
I have no doubt there are those who will say we are not doing enough.
That these steps don’t go far enough or fast enough.
But that is what they said when the acid rain treaty was signed in 1991.
In fact, that is what they said generally about the last Conservative government – until, earlier this year, they finally acknowledged it to be the greenest in Canada’s history.
And, as history will again show, environmental policy works only when it is focused on long-term, achievable results
Results that will conserve our great country for our children and theirs.
And that is precisely what Canada’s Clean Air Act will do.
Thank you.
And I will take your questions.
