Mr. Speaker, the government takes the challenges of climate change very seriously. For this reason, we are implementing a comprehensive climate change plan, both domestically and internationally. Our government is working constructively with the international community on a new international climate change agreement, as demonstrated by our participation at the 19th Conference of the Parties, held in Warsaw, Poland.

A new international climate change agreement must take a comprehensive approach to climate change by addressing both mitigation and adaptation. Most importantly, it must include a commitment to action by all the world's major emitters of greenhouse gases.

Domestically our government is implementing a sector-by-sector regulatory approach to reducing emissions that is working. We began implementing this plan by addressing two of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in this country: the transportation and electricity sectors.

In the transportation sector, we worked with the United States to put in place harmonized emissions standards for new passenger automobiles and light trucks for up to 2016 model year vehicles and issued proposed regulations for later model years as well. With these regulations, it is projected that 2025 vehicles will produce 50% less in greenhouse gas emissions than 2008 vehicles.

We have taken the same approach to improving fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, such as full-sized pickups, semi-trucks, garbage trucks, and even buses. As a result of these regulations, GHG emissions from 2018 model year heavy-duty vehicles will be reduced by up to 23%.

In the electricity sector, our government's coal-fired electricity regulations further strengthen Canada's position as a world leader in clean electricity production. We introduced a tough new regulatory performance standard for coal-fired electricity generation. With these regulations, Canada became the first major coal user to ban the construction of traditional coal-fired electricity generation units.

The fact is that no other government has done as much to reduce GHGs than this government. As I mentioned, our approach is generating results, and Canadians can be proud of them.

As a result of our actions, Canada's 2020 emissions are projected to be about 120 megatonnes lower than what they would have been under the Liberals. This is the equivalent of shutting down 37 coal-fired electricity generation plants.

Our government will continue to focus on a pragmatic approach to climate change that will reduce emissions while it continues to create jobs and encourages the growth of the Canadian economy. We will achieve all of this without imposing a $20-billion tax on Canadians, as proposed by the NDP.

Roxanne James

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