With the federal government taking a public relations hit on the environment file, cabinet ministers are talking up their plan, to put their message in front of as many groups as possible. Industry Minister Maxime Bernier (left) did just that this week, departing from the usual stuff that industry ministers talk about, to address his government’s work on environmental issues. I’ve excerpted a portion from his speech below. He gave the speech in Montreal, in a province, not coincidentally, where concern about environmental issues appears to be stronger than in many other provinces. Some pundits have linked falling voter preferences for the Conservatives in Quebec to their stand on environmental issues. So, with that preamble, here’s a chunk of Bernier’s speech — and you’re almost certain to hear some of these lines repeated wherever you may hear any cabinet minister speak over the next week or two:
… I want to dispel three myths that have been taken as truth in the past few months.
Myth number one: Canada has withdrawn from the Kyoto Protocol.
False.
Canada has signed the Protocol. We are counted among the minority of countries that do pay their yearly contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat.
We have taken our rightful place in presiding over the table of signatory countries, which, incidentally, are responsible for only 30 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions.
Canada also works to raise awareness among non-signatory countries, which are responsible for 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Canada actively participates in international cooperation efforts against climate change.
However, the day after our election, we told Canadians and our international partners that the Kyoto commitments made by the former government were unattainable.
We are sending the same message to everyone. We tell the truth.
Which brings me to myth number two, that Canada's Kyoto objectives are attainable.
I repeat: It's impossible.
At Kyoto, in December 1997, the former government committed to reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions to 6 percent below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. However, these emissions today are 27 percent higher than 1990 levels.
This commitment was not based on any scientific assessment or any real consultation with industry. The government at that time, if you don't mind my saying so, was simply flying by the seat of its pants.
Moreover, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development at the Office of the Auditor General, Johanne Gélinas, published a report showing the Liberal government's total lack of preparation and thoroughness with respect to Kyoto objectives.
The majority of signatory countries had done their homework, but not Canada. Several countries announced at Kyoto in December 1997 that their GHG emissions would go up. They undertook to curb the increase of emissions. Australia, for example, committed to an 8-percent increase. Iceland committed to 10 percent.
It was entirely predictable that Canadian GHG emissions would go up, if only because of oil. We have some of the most plentiful petroleum resources on the planet, and the rest of the world depends on them.
We live in a world that is thirsty for oil. We can't just turn off the tap.
The people who are scolding us today about Kyoto are the same ones who gambled away Canada's reputation. They rolled the dice — and they lost.
And there's more.
In December 2005, the 11th United Nations Climate Change Conference was held here in Montréal. The election was in full swing.
The then-government, and its minister of the Environment, who today is a Liberal leadership candidate, literally duped the international community.
They had in their possession a still-hot Environment Canada report that clearly stated that Canada's Kyoto targets were unattainable.
Continuing to insist that Canada could meet its objectives was nothing more than a con game. That government compromised Canada's long-term reputation for short-term electoral gain.
And that's the long and short of it. While they were carrying on in that farce, others were making progress in the implementation of concrete measures.
While on the subject, I must congratulate the Government of Quebec on its climate change strategy. It is an inspiration for other provinces.
Way to go, Quebec!
We have come to the third myth that I will debunk today, that is, that we are doing nothing to combat climate change.
Again, this is not the case.
To Canada's new government, it is a given that climate change is one of the main challenges facing humanity.
And we are acting responsibly so that Canada can truly face that challenge.
With our first budget, we earmarked $1.3 billion for mass transit.
We introduced tax incentives to encourage Canadians to use public transportation and leave their vehicles at home.
We have set up a system for having an average of 5 percent renewable content in all fuels by 2010.
In October, we tabled the Clean Air Act, which sets out our approach for the coming years.
This act casts a wider net than does the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol only goes after GHGs, which we are doing as well, but we are including in the list of controlled substances several other atmospheric pollutants that are detrimental to people's health.