15/02/2005 - The coming
into force tomorrow (February 16th) of the
Kyoto Protocol presents both a challenge
and significant opportunities to Canadians
and Canada, ones that citizens want to embrace,
according to the Honourable Stéphane
Dion, Canada’s Minister of the Environment.
That was the message Minister Dion brought
to students and faculty at Carleton University
in Ottawa as he outlined his vision for
a Greener Canada with its environmental
and economic goals in sync for a cleaner
environment, a better quality of life and
a competitive economy.
“Achieving our climate change goals provides
an opportunity to transform our economy,”
said Minister Dion, “making our industrial
sectors the cleanest in the world, making
our consumers the most energy efficient
and ensuring the long term sustainability
of the Canadian economy.”
The Minister noted that the search for
innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse
gases will spur Canadian companies to develop
the environmental technologies necessary
to reach their goals. This will result in
a Greener Canada, one that has a more efficient
economy, more energy from renewable sources,
less waste and a new motivation and respect
for nature.
“The federal budget to be tabled on February
23 will respond to Canadians’ desire for
a greater effort on the environmental front,”
indicated Minister Dion. Concluding his
remarks, he added: “The government looks
forward to implementing, with the help of
all Canadians, the improved and soon-to-be-released
Kyoto plan.”
