Speech (House debate)

{
    "time": "2008-02-11 11:50:00",
    "attribution": {
        "en": "Mr. Paul Szabo (Mississauga South, Lib.)",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "content": {
        "en": "<p data-HoCid=\"894641\" data-originallang=\"en\">Mr. Speaker, I look forward to hearing the commentary of the hon. member for <a data-HoCid=\"78515\" href=\"/politicians/118/\" title=\"John Godfrey\">Don Valley West</a> on a very important bill, <a data-HoCid=\"3075383\" href=\"/bills/39-2/C-474/\" title=\"An Act to require the development and implementation of a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and the development of goals and targets with respect to sustainable development in Canada, and to make consequential amendments to another Act\">An Act to require the development and implementation of a national sustainable development strategy, the reporting of progress against a standard set of environmental indicators and the appointment of an independent commissioner of the environment and sustainable development accountable to Parliament, and to adopt specific goals with respect to sustainable development in Canada</a>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894642\" data-originallang=\"en\">Recently the polling firm POLLARA asked Canadians what their priorities were, what were the most important things on their minds in terms of what the Government of Canada and Parliament should address. It came as no surprise that the issue of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions were the top issues to be addressed.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894643\" data-originallang=\"en\">Throughout the debate so far, it is very clear that all parties, except the government, support the proposed legislation. The government continues along the same kind of approach toward climate change issues as it did when Kyoto was the big topic of discussion. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894644\" data-originallang=\"en\">I remind the House that our international commitment to achieve targets within certain timeframes was opposed by the government. In fact, it described Kyoto as a money sucking socialist plot. That is the starting point of the Government of Canada with regard to climate change, that it is some sort of a plot to somehow deal with the economic implications to deal with climate change and how it might impact what the government really has in mind.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894645\" data-originallang=\"en\">The government wants the economic benefits to continue to operate at the same and more intense levels than we have today. I must admit it did not surprise me that one of its proposals was to allow the petroleum industry to continue to produce its products at the same level of intensity that created greenhouse gases. There was no reduction. It could continue to increase as long as the net intensity was not greater than today. That is basically a policy of, \u201cLet's do more of nothing. Whatever we have today is acceptable\u201d. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894646\" data-originallang=\"en\">All the science before Canadians is very clear. We have a problem and it has to be addressed, not simply left to the next generation to try to deal with the consequences of the failure of the government to address climate change issues. This is the real issue. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894647\" data-originallang=\"en\">Look at the record. Look at what the government has done or what it has not done with regard to climate change. Virtually every program introduced by the previous Liberal government has been cancelled by the current government. Why? Because it does not want any impact on the economy.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894648\" data-originallang=\"en\">The whole concept of having sustainable economic development calls on Canadians, business and individuals, to do their share. It means that when we do things within business and industry, we have to ensure not only do we not make it worse, but we make it better. We have to show progress.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894649\" data-originallang=\"en\">It is not good enough to say that some time in 2050 we will hit some target. I doubt anybody who is currently in the House will still be here come 2050. This is passing off some sort of an undertaking to someone else. It is very clear that by 2050 the trend line we are on right now will have enormous consequences. If we look at poverty groups, like Make Poverty History, they will talk about the implications of not addressing climate change on the international scene. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894650\" data-originallang=\"en\">The economic impacts of doing nothing are going to be much greater than anyone can imagine. It is going to exacerbate the economic deprivation of many countries around the world. It is going to take away important land that people need to earn livelihood.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894651\" data-originallang=\"en\">Canadians have been asked, through established programs, to do their share. If members are interested, they should go to a website called www.carbonfootprint.com, which is a very important site. It gives tips to Canadians as to some of things they can do to make a contribution toward reducing CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. It shows line by line the monthly reduction of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions if we do certain things, like getting a tune-up for our cars or buying energy efficient appliances. I think there are at least a dozen or so examples of what each and every Canadian can do.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894652\" data-originallang=\"en\">Canadians are doing that and they are prepared to do it. They are prepared to buy energy efficient automobiles if the government would only get it straight as to what the feebates schedule should be. The Conservatives raise programs and suggestions, but never have a plan to follow it through.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894653\" data-originallang=\"en\">I raise these things because the bill has articulated, in a very clear fashion, the extreme importance for us to have a long term sustainable development strategy. It means that we ensure we leave a situation better than when we got it, and to date we have not. To date, we need to have a plan.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894654\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bill <a data-HoCid=\"3075383\" href=\"/bills/39-2/C-474/\" title=\"An Act to require the development and implementation of a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and the development of goals and targets with respect to sustainable development in Canada, and to make consequential amendments to another Act\">C-474</a> would provide a framework in which Canadians can have some confidence. It would provide us with the feedback mechanism we need, the reporting relationship to Canadians that we have made responsible decisions, taken responsible action and that we have the measurement systems in place to show the progress to Canadians. We need to deliver. It is not enough to talk. The time now is for action, and it is simply not happening.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894655\" data-originallang=\"en\"> It is really unfortunate that the government does not want to embrace a commitment to having a national strategy in which Canadians can feel confident. This is very unfortunate for Canada today and tomorrow.</p>",
        "fr": "<p data-HoCid=\"894641\" data-originallang=\"en\">Monsieur le Pr\u00e9sident, j'ai h\u00e2te d'entendre ce que va dire le d\u00e9put\u00e9 de <a data-HoCid=\"78515\" href=\"/politicians/118/\" title=\"John Godfrey\">Don Valley-Ouest</a> au sujet de cette importante mesure l\u00e9gislative, la <a data-HoCid=\"3075383\" href=\"/bills/39-2/C-474/\" title=\"An Act to require the development and implementation of a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and the development of goals and targets with respect to sustainable development in Canada, and to make consequential amendments to another Act\">Loi exigeant l'\u00e9laboration et la mise en oeuvre d'une strat\u00e9gie nationale de d\u00e9veloppement durable, la communication des progr\u00e8s accomplis en fonction d'indicateurs environnementaux pr\u00e9\u00e9tablis, la nomination d'un commissaire \u00e0 l'environnement et au d\u00e9veloppement durable ind\u00e9pendant et responsable devant le Parlement, adoptant des objectifs pr\u00e9cis en mati\u00e8re de d\u00e9veloppement durable au Canada et modifiant une autre loi en cons\u00e9quence</a>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894642\" data-originallang=\"en\">R\u00e9cemment, la maison de sondages POLLARA a demand\u00e9 aux Canadiens quelles \u00e9taient leurs priorit\u00e9s. Quels \u00e9taient, selon eux, les probl\u00e8mes dont le gouvernement du Canada et le Parlement devaient s'occuper en priorit\u00e9? \u00c9videmment, les changements climatiques et les \u00e9missions de gaz \u00e0 effet de serre sont arriv\u00e9s au sommet de la liste.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894643\" data-originallang=\"en\">Dans le d\u00e9bat actuel, il est tr\u00e8s clair que tous les partis, \u00e0 l'exception du gouvernement, appuient le projet de loi. Par rapport \u00e0 l'\u00e9poque o\u00f9 le Protocole de Kyoto \u00e9tait le principal sujet de discussion, le gouvernement n'a pas chang\u00e9 d'un iota son approche relative au probl\u00e8me des changements climatiques.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894644\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je rappelle \u00e0 la Chambre que le gouvernement nous a emp\u00each\u00e9s de remplir notre engagement international \u00e0 atteindre les objectifs \u00e0 l'int\u00e9rieur de certains d\u00e9lais. En effet, le gouvernement a d\u00e9crit Kyoto comme un complot socialiste visant \u00e0 siphonner de l'argent. Voil\u00e0 quelle est la position du gouvernement du Canada relativement aux changements climatiques. Il estime qu'il s'agit d'une sorte de complot visant \u00e0 contr\u00f4ler les incidences \u00e9conomiques de la lutte aux changements climatiques et l'impact de celle-ci sur les v\u00e9ritables vis\u00e9es du gouvernement f\u00e9d\u00e9ral.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894645\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le gouvernement veut que les avantages \u00e9conomiques soient maintenus au m\u00eame niveau ou m\u00eame \u00e0 un niveau sup\u00e9rieur \u00e0 celui d'aujourd'hui. L'une des propositions du gouvernement consiste \u00e0 permettre \u00e0 l'industrie p\u00e9troli\u00e8re de continuer \u00e0 produire en maintenant le m\u00eame niveau d'intensit\u00e9 que celui qui a g\u00e9n\u00e9r\u00e9 les gaz \u00e0 effet de serre. Je dois dire que cela ne me surprend pas. Il n'y a donc eu aucune r\u00e9duction des \u00e9missions. La production d'ensemble pourrait m\u00eame continuer \u00e0 augmenter, pour autant que l'intensit\u00e9 des \u00e9missions ne d\u00e9passe pas le seuil actuel. Cette politique revient essentiellement \u00e0 dire: \u00ab Continuons \u00e0 ne rien faire. La situation actuelle est acceptable \u00bb.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894646\" data-originallang=\"en\">Toutes les donn\u00e9es scientifiques pr\u00e9sent\u00e9es aux Canadiens sont pourtant parfaitement claires. Nous avons un probl\u00e8me et il doit \u00eatre r\u00e9gl\u00e9. Il ne suffit pas de le l\u00e9guer aux prochaines g\u00e9n\u00e9rations en les laissant aux prises avec les cons\u00e9quences de l'incapacit\u00e9 du gouvernement de s'attaquer au probl\u00e8me des changements climatiques.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894647\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il suffit de jeter un coup d'oeil au bilan du gouvernement, \u00e0 ce qu'il a fait ou \u00e0 ce qu'il n'a pas fait dans le dossier des changements climatiques. Pratiquement tous les programmes mis en oeuvre par le gouvernement lib\u00e9ral pr\u00e9c\u00e9dent ont \u00e9t\u00e9 abolis par le gouvernement. Pourquoi? Parce qu'il veut \u00e9viter tout impact sur l'\u00e9conomie. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894648\" data-originallang=\"en\">La notion m\u00eame de d\u00e9veloppement \u00e9conomique durable implique que tous les Canadiens, tant les entreprises que les simples citoyens, fassent leur part. Cela signifie que lorsque les entreprises ou l'industrie prennent de nouvelles initiatives, elles doivent faire en sorte de ne pas aggraver la situation. Elles doivent plut\u00f4t l'am\u00e9liorer. Nous devons faire des progr\u00e8s \u00e0 cet \u00e9gard.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894649\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il ne suffit pas de dire que nous atteindrons une cible ou une autre vers 2050. Je ne crois pas qu'il y ait ici un seul d\u00e9put\u00e9 qui si\u00e9gera encore \u00e0 la Chambre en 2050. Il s'agit en quelque sorte de laisser le travail \u00e0 quelqu'un d'autre. Il est tr\u00e8s clair que, d'ici 2050, le maintien de la tendance actuelle aura d'\u00e9normes cons\u00e9quences. Des groupes de lutte contre la pauvret\u00e9 comme Abolissons la pauvret\u00e9 mettent en garde contre les cons\u00e9quences de l'absence de mesures contre les changements climatiques sur la sc\u00e8ne internationale.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894650\" data-originallang=\"en\">Les r\u00e9percussions \u00e9conomiques de l'inaction risquent d'\u00eatre beaucoup plus importantes qu'on ne l'imagine. Elles exacerberont le d\u00e9nuement \u00e9conomique de bon nombre de pays et priveront un grand nombre de personnes des terres dont elles ont besoin pour assurer leur subsistance. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894651\" data-originallang=\"en\">On a demand\u00e9 aux Canadiens de faire leur part en participant aux programmes \u00e9tablis. Ceux qui s'int\u00e9ressent \u00e0 la question peuvent visiter le site web www.carbonfootprint.com qui fournit des renseignements importants \u00e0 cet \u00e9gard. On y donne des conseils sur les mesures que les Canadiens peuvent prendre pour r\u00e9duire les \u00e9missions de CO<sub>2</sub>. On y retrouve une \u00e9valuation d\u00e9taill\u00e9e des r\u00e9ductions mensuelles que nous pouvons r\u00e9aliser par certaines mesures simples comme faire faire une mise au point de notre voiture ou acheter des appareils m\u00e9nagers \u00e9conerg\u00e9tiques. Si je me souviens bien, on y propose une bonne douzaine de mesures que tous les Canadiens peuvent prendre. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894652\" data-originallang=\"en\">Les Canadiens le font d\u00e9j\u00e0 et ils sont pr\u00eats \u00e0 le faire. Ils veulent bien acheter des v\u00e9hicules \u00e9conerg\u00e9tiques, mais ils aimeraient que le gouvernement leur donne des pr\u00e9cisions sur le programme de remise qui pourrait \u00eatre appliqu\u00e9. Les conservateurs proposent toutes sortes de programmes et de suggestions, mais il n'y donnent jamais suite. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894653\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je tenais \u00e0 soulever ces points parce que le projet de loi a clairement soulign\u00e9 l'importance pour nous de pouvoir compter sur une strat\u00e9gie \u00e0 long terme en mati\u00e8re de d\u00e9veloppement durable, ce qui signifie que nous devons laisser les choses en meilleur \u00e9tat que nous les avons prises. Il n'existe toujours pas de plan \u00e0 cet \u00e9gard. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894654\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3075383\" href=\"/bills/39-2/C-474/\" title=\"An Act to require the development and implementation of a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and the development of goals and targets with respect to sustainable development in Canada, and to make consequential amendments to another Act\">C-474</a> fournirait un cadre auquel les Canadiens pourraient se fier. Il nous fournirait les m\u00e9canismes de r\u00e9troaction dont nous avons besoin et \u00e9tablirait les liens hi\u00e9rarchiques qui permettraient de faire savoir aux Canadiens que nous avons pris des d\u00e9cisions et des mesures responsables et que nous disposons de contr\u00f4les leur permettant d'\u00e9valuer les progr\u00e8s r\u00e9alis\u00e9s. Nous devons livrer la marchandise. Les mots ne suffisent plus. Des mesures concr\u00e8tes s'imposent, et pour l'instant, rien n'est fait dans ce domaine. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"894655\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il est r\u00e9ellement malheureux que le gouvernement ne soit pas pr\u00eat \u00e0 s'engager \u00e0 mettre au point une strat\u00e9gie nationale qui pourrait redonner confiance aux Canadiens. C'est tr\u00e8s dommage, tant pour aujourd'hui que pour l'avenir. </p>"
    },
    "url": "/debates/2008/2/11/paul-szabo-1/",
    "politician_url": "/politicians/paul-szabo/",
    "politician_membership_url": "/politicians/memberships/3198/",
    "procedural": false,
    "source_id": "2310305",
    "h1": {
        "en": "Private Members' Business",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "h2": {
        "en": "National Sustainable Development Act",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "h3": {
        "en": "Bill C-474--National Sustainable Development Act--Speaker's Ruling",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "document_url": "/debates/2008/2/11/",
    "related": {
        "document_speeches_url": "/speeches/?document=%2Fdebates%2F2008%2F2%2F11%2F"
    }
}