Hon. Maria Chaput:

Honourable senators, I believe that all of us as human beings have a responsibility to rigorously defend the environment and encourage thought and action on this matter. It is based on this personal conviction that I am speaking today at second reading stage of Bill C-288, to ensure Canada meets its global climate change obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.

 

Last week, the House of Commons passed a Liberal Party motion to ensure that Canada meets its Kyoto Protocol obligations. This motion, introduced by Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez, was passed in the House of Commons by 161 votes to 113. Parliament has voted and expressed its will.

 

This enactment is before us in the Senate, sponsored by our honourable colleague, Senator Grant Mitchell. I have decided to participate in the debate as a human being doing her part for the planet, as a Canadian, because we have to protect our country, and as a grandmother, because I want to leave my granddaughters a healthy environment and a promising future. To do so, we have to have a comprehensive plan, and we need it now.

This is a project to build a society without borders that we need to consider, and it is important that Canada be a leader, that it adopts the best possible practices in terms of environmental protection and sustainable development, and that it encourages other countries to do likewise.

 

Using the premise that the big picture is the Kyoto Protocol, I have tried to identify the stages that were already undertaken by the previous Liberal government and that led it to support Kyoto. I had to first understand the process, before I could explain it.

 

Honourable senators will surely agree that, for any initiative of that magnitude, it is critical that there be a political will from the outset. The previous Liberal government had that political will and, over the years, it took very significant measures to protect the environment. Here are a few examples.

 

In its 2006 annual report, the David Suzuki Foundation states:

 

One of the most significant measures taken by Canada was to amend the Auditor General Act in 1995, to create the position of Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.

 

That amendment to the act forced federal departments to develop a plan for sustainable development, and to table before Parliament a triennial report on their strategies in that regard.

 

That amendment also mandated the Commissioner of the Environment to monitor the plans of the various federal departments and submit an annual report to the House of Commons.

 

Also, during those years, cabinet directives were issued to order federal departments to take environmental issues into consideration when developing their strategies and programs.

 

Following these directives, from 1997 to 2006, plans were prepared and tabled by the departments.

 

Environment Canada then developed a national series of environmental indicators to measure perennial progress regarding the environment. There were 13 categories of indicators, and each one included several sub-indexes. It should be noted that these indicators were updated on a regular basis, and could be consulted on line. I hope it is still the case.

 

At that point, Canada had the political will, a number of plans from federal departments, and an initial series of performance indicators. I can say to you, honourable senators, that the previous Liberal government was on the right track. It is not fair to say it did nothing!

All good planning culminates in a series of laws. In Canada, a good part of the planning for environmental sustainability resulted in various laws on the environment.

All these environmental laws were very important because they provided the basis for establishing objectives, planning, monitoring and accountability with respect to sustainable development.

 

To complete its plan for sustainable development, the government then considered specific measures for certain priority sectors such as climate change, acid rain and smog, to name but a few. Canada adopted certain measures, including the establishment of sectoral objectives under existing legislation.

 

Thus, Canada was working towards an integrated strategy — with the federal and provincial governments and other partners — and this plan was going to put Canada on the right track.

 

Every federal department adopted its own strategy for sustainable development by establishing a list of measures. However, work related to achieving the objectives could not be completed without first establishing measurable targets under a master plan.

There was a measurable target — that provided by Kyoto. In 2002, the Liberal government decided to adopt the Kyoto Protocol. In 2005, the government had an initial comprehensive plan that included concrete measures to fight climate change. On February 16, 2005, it became an international leader in this area.

 

All efforts count for something, but both successes and failures have consequences. As indicated by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development in her 2006 report:

 

Lastly, the federal government does not act alone. It has faced — and still faces — considerable challenges in bringing various players onside and in mobilizing concerted action.

 

The previous Liberal government established a foundation on which the government in power can build and it is important that it do so.

 

There are positive programs and practices already in place, which promise to produce good results. However, they must be recognized.

 

For example, some federal research projects and support to research networks have helped to gather knowledge on Canada's vulnerability to climate change in areas such as health, fisheries, forests, water resources, agriculture and coastal zones.

Important partnerships have also been established. Canada was at a historic juncture in its climate change file.

 

In her 2006 report, the Commissioner of the Environment indicated that a massive scale-up of efforts is needed. According to the Commissioner, "Each area is important, but the call for leadership applies to them all". Leadership must be bold and decisive, with clear direction to ensure that it is fully implemented.

 

Honourable senators, Canada has made commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. The federal government is ultimately responsible for entering into and respecting international agreements on climate change. Canadians must be able to rely on a government that will stay on course until lasting solutions can be found. The response will be very indicative of its commitment.

 

[English]

 

The previous Liberal government's plan laid the foundation for positive action to fight climate change in Canada, and we were on the path to meet our Kyoto commitments.

 

[Translation]

 

We were prepared to use our commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to incite businesses and governments to be more innovative. The plan was not perfect, but the foundation was there.

 

[English]

 

Upon coming into office, the Conservatives dismantled the plan. By any measure, a year has been wasted. The private member's bill gives the Conservative government 60 days to come up with their plan. We need to move quickly.

 

[Translation]

 

According to Mr. Suzuki, cleaning up the environment is just as possible and effective as cleaning up public finances. Governments simply need to act with as much determination towards the environment as they do towards public finances.

 

[English]

 

The Kyoto Accord was ratified in Canada in December of 2002. The agreement became an international agreement on February 16, 2005. That means the worldwide strategy for tackling climate change was in effect for just one year while the Liberals were in power. In truth, the Liberals have championed the cause of global environmental action, and many positive steps were taken in that regard.

 

[Translation]

 

It is hard for some to admit that the Liberal government had a good plan. It is easier to say that the plan is unrealistic and that Canada cannot meet its commitments. That is unfair and untrue.

 

Honourable senators, you all know that plans change constantly. The secret to successful planning is to want to achieve the targets, consult one's partners on a regular basis and constantly adjust the targets. This holds true for the Kyoto Protocol as well. Every plan has unknown elements that call for flexibility and an effort by all those involved. This is especially true of Kyoto. To succeed, we have to set ambitious targets. That is my philosophy. And that is Kyoto.

 

Lastly, government leadership is crucial to success. Obviously, I am not an expert in the field, but I believe that any program that can help us achieve the Kyoto targets is valuable and deserves to be studied, considered and included in the overall plan.

 

I would not want us to spend too much time playing politics when our planet's future and my grandchildren's future are at stake. We should not underestimate Canadians. I believe that they are ready for the measures the government will adopt to achieve the Kyoto targets.

 

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