02/09/2005 -Canada’s Minister
of the Environment, the Honourable Stéphane
Dion today announced that significant progress
is being made in implementing Canada’s Climate
Change Plan, Moving Forward on Climate Change:
A Plan for Honouring our Kyoto Commitment.
The Plan is a key component of Project Green,
the Government of Canada’s broader environmental
vision that links Canada’s economic competitiveness
and prosperity to a sustainable Future.
On Saturday, September 3, the proposed addition
of the six greenhouse gases to Schedule 1
of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act,
will be published in the Canada Gazette Part
1. This is an important and necessary step
in the development of regulations that will
cover large industries that are being required
to meet the 45 megatonne reduction target
set out in Canada’s Climate Change Plan. The
Plan clearly stated that the Government of
Canada’s preferred option for implementing
the Large Final Emitters system is CEPA.
“ With this measure, the Government of Canada
is taking an important step today to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions in an effective way,
including for the industries involved,” said
Minister Stéphane Dion. “There is overwhelming
scientific evidence to conclude that climate
change is the greatest ecological danger facing
the planet.”
“ Canadians overwhelmingly support actions
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and at
the same time, they expect all sectors of
our economy – governments, industry, consumers
– to play their part,” said Minister Ujjal
Dosanjh, Minister of Health.
Over the course of the summer, progress has
been made on a number of dimensions on Canada’s
Climate Change Plan, including the publication
of a clear description of the proposed Large
Final Emitters system. Publication of a draft
regulation setting out the key elements of
the system is planned before the end of this
year. As well, discussions with provinces
have also begun on possible equivalency agreements.
In August, a proposed set of rules for an
offset credit system was released. This system
will award credits to large and small industries,
technology companies, municipalities, farmers,
foresters, and individual Canadians who achieve
emission reductions. The system will also
create a market allowing these individuals,
industries and organizations to sell their
credits, helping Canada to respect its Kyoto
commitment.
Consultations have also started with the
provinces and territories to identify strategic
new technologies (for example, clean coal
technology) and infrastructure projects for
cost sharing through the Partnership Fund.
The first projects under the Fund are expected
to be announced before the end of 2005.
As the Government of Canada moves forward
on implementing the Climate Change Plan, preparations
are underway for hosting the United Nations
Climate Change Conference in Montreal, November
28-December 9, 2005. In support of this international
conference, Minister Dion is now travelling
in China, Australia and India. The Minister
will also host an international meeting of
environment ministers in Ottawa, September
23-24.
The Government of Canada’s actions on climate
change are a component of Project Green. The
policies and programs under Project Green
address environmental initiatives for the
21st century including measures to conserve
our biodiversity, protect our water, clean
up contaminated sites and ensure cleaner and
healthier air. Through Project Green, Canada
can set an international example by developing
effective model solutions for the long-term
health of the planet.
For further information, please see Kyoto
Protocol Greenhouse Gases and the Canadian
Environmental Protection Act at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/documents/part/kyoto_ghg
