| Check Against Delivery Good
morning.
Thank you Avrim for introducing me and introducing this forum.
Welcome to all of our notable speakers and moderators.
I would like to especially recognize David Gardner from the US
Environmental Protection Agency. I welcome the opportunity to have the United States be
part of our discussions today and hope that they will be a partner in our efforts to
address climate change.
All of us here have something in common -- we all share a strong
commitment to the environment and to addressing the climate change challenge.
We also realize that environmental progress requires public
awareness.
I know that.
You know that.
Together we can pursue "Opportunities for Action".
The environment belongs to all Canadians. Therefore, it is
everyone’s responsibility to ensure that it remains vibrant into the new millennium.
It is the responsibility of the federal, provincial and municipal
governments, industry and communities, and, most importantly, of individual Canadians
across the country.
Canadians are concerned that environmental problems are affecting
their health. They are concerned that today’s environmental problems will continue to
affect the health of their children and grandchildren.
We know that in order to successfully address any major issue, we
need to engage all Canadians. Climate change is no exception.
I believe Canadians, taking action in their communities, can achieve
environmental results.
Climate change is one of my environmental themes for action. The
other three are: clean air, clean water, and nature.
All four themes are interrelated. The actions that we take to
address climate change will improve and complement our efforts in clean air, clean water
and nature.
Science is the cornerstone in addressing our environmental
challenges.
Science identifies the problem.
Science can help determine the solution.
And science monitors our progress.
Science put climate change at the top of the environmental agenda.
But science cannot do the work to affect change. It is up to
Canadians to implement the solution.
For its part, the federal government is using a two track system.
With the provinces and territories, we are developing a national implementation strategy.
So that we can hear from experts across Canada, in many different
fields, the federal and provincial governments have set up "Issue Tables".
Experts will come together to discuss issues ranging from
transportation to emission trading. They will help determine the best way for Canada to
achieve its Kyoto commitment.
The issue table on public outreach, which holds its first meeting
tomorrow, is one tables.
That is one track.
On the other track, we are encouraging Canadians from coast to coast
to coast to take early action.
We recognize that the sooner we take action, the faster and more
economical it will be to achieve our target. Action will catalyst more action as our
nation learns of the issue and takes up individual challenges and opportunities.
The federal government has committed $150 Million to promote these
actions.
In fact, we have reduced, through voluntary activities, greenhouse
gas emissions by 11 per cent from what would have been business as usual since 1992. Many
of those actions that were taken have a lot of cost benefit to our economy.
We will share best practices with Canadians to encourage action.
Although there are many, many challenges to meeting our targets, we
believe as a government, that there are many opportunities as well.
Recently, we embarked on an emission reduction trading pilot with
five provinces, municipalities and a number of industrial, environmental and labour
organizations.
This project will test the environmental and economic benefits of
employing emissions trading as a greenhouse gas reduction mechanism.
Trading provides motivation to find the least costly ways to reduce
greenhouse gases. Emission reductions will be registered and be eligible for recognition
against future compliance obligations.
And of particular importance to me, this project is a first for
Canada and a first for North America in the wake of the Kyoto agreement.
I am confident we will be able to demonstrate success, not only to
all Canadians, but to other countries as we work to establish an international regime for
emissions reduction trading.
Emissions trading gives us the flexibility to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by two dollars a tonne in those areas where it is possible instead of 20 dollars
a tonne. That is why we are pursuing this avenue.
We have established the Office of Energy Efficiency to promote
energy efficiency and the use of alternative transportation fuels. This program is aimed
at all sectors of industry and communities.
The federal government will continue to promote technological
development. Some of our previous support has gone to Ballard and Iogen, both leaders
today in alternative fuel innovation as a result of strategic investment.
We see private sector companies, now making their own strategic
investments in renewable energy and greenhouse gas reducing technologies.
Through the Federal Buildings Initiative, the federal government is
getting its own house in order. Through retrofits and green power purchases, we are
reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
- My department and Natural Resources are using wind energy to power
our Alberta facilities.
- This week the RCMP in British Columbia will be purchasing 40
alternative fuel vehicles.
Environment Canada will continue to be an international leader on
the science of climate change.
We have completed the Canada Country Study which has helped us to
determine the potential impacts of climate change across the country. These continued
efforts will help to monitor our progress and judge our success.
The federal government has set up a Climate Change Secretariat to
help coordinate actions across the country.
Through partnerships with the federal, provincial and municipal
governments; through partnerships with industry and business; Canadians can make a
difference.
Canadians can make the climate change connection.
Canadians are aware that climate change is a grave environmental
concern. Recent public opinion research shows that 70 per cent of Canadians are concerned
about climate change.
Furthermore, they associate climate change with what they see
outside:
- changes in weather patterns
- unusual weather
- warmer weather, and
- global warming.
Even if they profess to not fully understanding the problem and its
personal implications, just over half of Canadians realize they can do something about
climate change.
Therefore it is important for Canadians to fully understand the
problem and what it means for them, personally so they can recognize the opportunities for
action.
That is why public education is key to moving people along from
awareness, to further understanding, to a desire to act and, then, to act.
And why do they want to act?
They recognize the problem is real.
They want to do something about it, and they want access to the
right information and tools to take action.
As a government, we need to provide a perspective on problems and
solutions that are accurate, balanced and consistent.
Given the full picture, I am sure, in fact, I know that Canadians
will want to take action now.
Recently, 25 Canadians, all of them Order of Canada recipients came
together under the auspices of the National Roundtable on Environment and Economy to look
at climate change.
These 25 Canadians don’t have a science or an environment
background. They come from all walks of life.
These individuals were provided with the full gamut of information
on climate change. They heard from skeptics and proponents.
After reviewing all of the information, they concluded that
"every Canadian has a role to play in reducing greenhouse gases".
They declared: "The time for action is now."
Now think of how much we could achieve if every Canadian had the
roundtable experience. I know this is not possible. But, public outreach can give all
Canadians a taste of that experience.
We need Canadians to make the climate change connection to their
communities.
We need Canadians to make the climate change connection to their
health.
We need Canadians to make the climate change connection to their
children’s health.
We must communicate the challenge and opportunities to grandparents
and grandchildren.
Minister Goodale and I are helping Canadians make the climate change
connection by making it easier for them to access information on climate change and the
actions they can take to be more energy wise.
Working closely together, we have revitalized our 1-800 number and
our climate change web site to make it easier for Canadians to access information on
climate change.
This information deals with potential effects and actions they can
take at home, on the road, in their workplace, their neighbourhoods and as members of the
global community.
The 1-800 number and the web site are there to answer any questions
Canadians may have.
Understanding is the first step to action.
With greater understanding, I am confident that Canadians will want
to act.
Canadians can be inspired to take simple actions in their homes and
their communities.
Over the summer, you will see in your community newspaper and hear
on your local radio station, actions Canadians can take to make their own climate change
connection.
Simple actions like using energy efficient light bulbs.
Simple actions like carpooling, taking the bus or riding a bike to
reduce car emissions or ensuring that the EnerGuide label in on the appliances and cars
they buy.
We are already seeing actions being taken across the country.
We need to share these experiences and the lessons we have learned
from them. Across Canada, we can make the climate change connection.
Industry is making the climate change connection.
Ballard has developed a fuel cell for vehicles that converts
hydrogen into energy with only water coming out of the tail pipe.
Ford and Dailmer-Benz have seen the potential of this alternative to
gasoline and recently invested in Ballard.
Municipalities are making the climate change connection.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has set up the 20% club.
These mayors have committed to reducing their greenhouse gases by 20%. This club is now 38
municipalities strong.
Later today, I will be honouring the City of Toronto for its
leadership in reducing greenhouse gases.
Communities are making the climate change connection.
"Emissions Impossible" is a voluntary vehicle emissions
testing challenge organized by the New Brunswick Lung Association and other community
organizations. They challenged Saint John to out do the 510 Fredericton citizens who
participated. Saint John won by 60 participants.
We need all Canadians to make the climate change connection.
To support efforts like these, I recently launched the Millennium
Eco-Community initiative. It encourages communities to come together and take action on
environmental issues.
Through the Millennium Eco-Community initiative, the federal
government will provide a full range of information on the Internet.
We’ll make sure everyone can share best practices.
Through the internet, Millennium Eco-Communities will provide
complete information on projects and progress so that others can learn by their example.
And the federal government will publicly recognize and honour those
communities which set serious targets and make significant achievements.
We need to engage everyone. We need action from all Canadians.
That is the way we will achieve our minus six percent Kyoto
commitment.
As I look around this room, I see: business and community leaders,
educators, media and non-governmental representatives.
What a wealth of knowledge and experience. Let’s learn from
each other and build opportunities for action.
At the end of today, I hope that you will have found the dialogue
and the process valuable. But process must result in actions - actions to reduce
greenhouse gases. Perhaps you can find consensus around a couple of summertime actions
which you would espouse to launch. Actions which must result from public participation and
outreach processes.
I wish you a productive forum. I feel confident that we can make the
climate change connection.
Thank you.
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