Section 1

I am pleased to present Environment Canada's Departmental Performance Report for 2003-2004. This report outlines our progress and highlights our achievements in improving environmental quality to protect Canadians' health, preserve nature and enhance economic competitiveness.

The year was one of several Government of Canada environmental milestones. Budget 2004 committed $4 billion over 10 years to clean up federal and other shared contaminated sites and $1 billion over seven years to support development and commercialization of environmental technologies. The Budget also allocated $15 million over three years to develop and report on indicators for greenhouse gas emissions, air and water quality.

The government will follow an integrated approach to achieving our goal of building a strong, growing, 21st century economy for Canada and Canadians, founded on the principles of sustainable development. In a new world economy that is increasingly driven by sustainability imperatives and opportunities, we have no choice but to build on the progress that we have already made towards sustainability so that we can secure our future economic prosperity and quality of life. In the long term, this will mean that governments, industry and Canadians will need to work together towards shared responsibilities and shared outcomes.

The past year also saw strong action on climate change with the allocation of $1 billion to implement the Climate Change Plan for Canada. This was followed by the launch of the One Tonne Challenge to raise awareness of how the choices individuals make every day impact on greenhouse gas emissions, and to provide information, tools and opportunities for Canadians to take action on climate change.

Environment Canada will continue to work in partnership with all levels of government, individual Canadians, industry, Aboriginal communities and non-governmental organizations to address the environmental issues that are important to Canada and to Canadians.

I encourage all Canadians - citizens, parliamentarians and officials from governments at all levels, environmental non-government organizations and big and small businesses from all sectors - to read this report to become better acquainted with the steps that Environment Canada is taking for environmental progress in pursuit of improved health for Canadians, a cleaner natural environment and enhanced economic competitiveness.