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Luncheon Remarks
The Honourable Stephen Owen, Secretary of State
The Honourable Stephen Owen reminded participants that Mr. Martin was hoping for a short list of practical recommendations as an outcome of the day’s dialogue. Secretary of State Owen introduced Minister David Anderson.
The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment
Speaking about climate change, the Honourable David Anderson expressed his disappointment that the Kyoto Accord was being questioned in the newspapers. Kyoto Accord sceptics are speaking up, he said, despite scientific evidence that supports the climate change hypothesis. He called climate change one of the greatest challenges for this generation in Canada.
Minister Anderson disagreed with critics who argue that climate change is too difficult to deal with. He said that this kind of argument was wrong in the past, and it is wrong today. Minister Anderson said that these sceptics did not grasp a fundamental principle: the potential for a future response to environmental change. Of course this would cost money, he said, especially for Canadians. Climate change and the Kyoto Accord would profoundly affect Canada because Canada is an export-dependent, northern, sparsely settled country in which cheap resources – including energy – have fuelled economic development.
Minister Anderson said that climate change requires a response from governments and private companies. New technology provides opportunities to increase energy efficiency for Canada and the world. Boosting the supply of energy-efficient technology is a critical factor, he said. Market demand for such technology needs to be built. Minister Anderson said that the government has a role in stimulating demand for energy-efficient technology.
“Government needs clear targets and a flexible approach and timetable,” said Minister Anderson. “Then the private sector can find a way to meet these targets.”
A range of measures is needed. Minister Anderson compared the acid rain crisis in the 1980s to the climate change issues of today. Although Nova Scotia and other areas still struggle with acid rain issues, trying to reduce acid rain turned out to be easier than most thought it would be. Many people said that it could not be done due to lack of appropriate tools and technology, and the high cost. Some claimed that Sudbury would close down and unemployment would increase dramatically. Industry worked out the costs after the government set the policy direction, and when private corporations took actions, the cost was one-fifth of what was expected. “The private sector found a better way of doing it,” he said, predicting that climate change would be the same. “Canada has the capacity and technology,” said Minister Anderson. “Adopting the Kyoto Accord will not have the negative impact that some sceptics predict.”
Minister Anderson suggested that the environmental technologies industry wants more support. “I believe the global market will help,” he said. The government must help industry take advantage of opportunities in the global market. Although he said that he could not predict the future because a new government is being formed, he did say that the best role for government was to stimulate demand for environmental technologies. Those who are best able to assist in this endeavour already work in the sector, he said.