My thanks to Michael Roschlau for the kind introduction, and to the staff of the Canadian Urban Transportation Association, as well as the Edmonton Transit System for organizing this wonderful event.

Our new government is very proud to support the Canadian Urban Transit Association Clean Air Day Sustainable Transportation Campaign. This initiative shows how important sustainable transportation, more specifically public transport, can be in our effort to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

This year’s theme – “Give the World Some Air”– says it all. Canadians can take action locally to help improve the quality of the air we all breathe.

The Canadian Urban Transit Association’s campaign is also a great example of partnership between the Government of Canada, the private sector and non-government organizations, that successfully addresses clean air issues.

The Canadian Urban Transit Association should be commended for their leadership in raising awareness and encouraging actions that improve the health of Canadians and of our environment, while contributing to the strength of our economy.

Our new government firmly believes that the transportation sector plays an essential role in assuring air quality in Canada. Transportation is one of the largest sources of air pollution in Canada. In some of our urban centres, it accounts for up to two-thirds of smog forming pollutants.

To address this, we will clean up the air that Canadians breathe by encouraging them to get out of their cars and onto public transit. We will invest up to $1.3 billion in urban transit infrastructure public transportation, plus an estimated $1.1 billion over 5 years in the form of a tax credit to help with the cost of monthly transit passes. Increasing the use of public transit will help reduce traffic congestion in Canadian cities and fight air pollution

Increasing the use of public transportation will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Based on CUTA information that there were almost 1.6 billion urban transit rides in 2004 and an average emission of 2.8 kilograms per 10 kilometre trip, urban transit users avoid about 4.5 Mt of greenhouse gas emissions

But that’s not all. Our government will help Canadians make cleaner fuel choices by acting to increase the average renewable fuel content in gasoline and diesel fuel to 5 percent by 2010. The use of biodiesel in public transit vehicles will yield significant clean air benefits.

By offering these cleaner choices, we are inviting Canadians to work with us and to participate in made-in-Canada solutions for a cleaner and healthier Canada.

This is what taking action for the environment is all about. Together, governments, industries, associations, municipalities and individuals can address our challenges and make a difference. And we can work together to deliver a very successful Clean Air Day on June 7th.

Taking action means walking, riding, or taking public transport. By commuting in ways that are less harmful to the environment, Canadians can “Give the World Some Air,” not only on Clean Air Day, but everyday.

To conclude, I wish to congratulate all of those involved in these outreach efforts. You have successfully raised awareness about the importance of transit and other forms of sustainable transportation.

Again, congratulations on organizing this great event in my riding. I look forward to seeing the clean air messages on buses and in bus shelters all across Canada. Enjoy the rest of the day in Edmonton.