Speech From Throne 

January 30, 2001

For Canadians, protecting the environment is not an option - it is something we must do. Our lakes and air must be clean, our green spaces and diverse habitat and species must be protected and we must deal with climate change -- nothing is more fundamental.

Meeting these challenges also provides a great opportunity to integrate environmental and economic policy through the development of new technologies and sustainable practices.

Our goal is to help Canadians push the frontiers of environmental technology and eco-efficient practices.

We have launched the beginnings of a Clean Air Strategy to address vehicle and fuel standards, trans-boundary pollution, industrial sectors, the science of air quality, and the engagement of Canadians and communities.

In December, Canada and the United States concluded the Ozone Annex to the 1991 Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement, committing both governments to significantly reduce the creation of smog causing pollutants.

Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations have been established that will reduce sulphur in gasoline.

Through federal-provincial-municipal infrastructure programs, the Government of Canada participated in local sewer and waste treatment projects where these were a local priority.

Budget 2000 committed $180 million over 5 years for, among other key priorities, implementing the government’s strategy to protect and recover species at risk and threatened eco-systems; and increase funding for the enforcement of environmental regulations.

New rules for reducing the threat of toxic substances to human health and the environment are now in force through the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, one of the most advanced environmental laws of its kind in the developed world.

We have created seven new national parks and have allocated an additional $130 million over four years for establishing new parks, managing existing parks and building our scientific capacity within this system.

Last fall, the government announced the five-year, $500 million Climate Change Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which will help Canada in achieving its targets in the Kyoto Protocol.