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PM announces Canada's Clean Air Act10 October 2006
Vancouver PLEASE CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Good morning. I am pleased to be accompanied by my colleagues: 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: All these measures have this in common: 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, 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. 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, 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: 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: 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 And that is precisely what Canada’s Clean Air Act will do. Thank you. And I will take your questions. Related Items10 October 2006 News Releases - PM announces Canada's Clean Air Act 10 October 2006 Video Vault - PM announces Canada's Clean Air Act 10 October 2006 Audio Vault - PM announces Canada's Clean Air Act 10 October 2006 Photo Gallery - PM announces Canada's Clean Air Act |
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| Last Updated: 2006-10-10 |  |
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