November 20, 2007

Thank you for that kind introduction, and thank you for this opportunity to join you for Pollution Probe’s annual gala dinner.  A gala is a time for celebration.  And I believe that Pollution Probe has much to celebrate.

You’ve been making a difference in Canadian public policy now for nearly 40 years.  Much has changed since a small group of University of Toronto students campaigned to restrict the use of DDT.

Since then, Pollution Probe helped set up the National Pollutants Release Inventory and has helped to build partnerships with the goal of working toward the reduction of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The specific issues have changed over time, but perhaps the most important change is the manner in which environmental issues have risen as a priority in the public policy agenda.

Look at what is happening in the Minister of Transport’s portfolio for example… 
We have announced a $33 billion Building Canada plan – the largest investment in infrastructure in the past 50 years!
 
Certainly the Federal Government has invested in infrastructure in the past - rail, canals, and the St. Lawrence Seaway are but some examples. With Building Canada though, we are setting key priorities - including investments with a direct tie to environmental benefits. The plan recognizes the environmental benefits that can flow from modern infrastructure.

When we invest in transit, clean water, sewage treatment and green energy on a priority basis, we are helping the environment.
 
When it comes to transit in large urban areas in particular, there is much to be done.  A transit rider creates 65 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than an auto user for the same trip.  Commuters who use transit just twice a week can reduce their emissions by 25 per cent.

And if I may be permitted a short aside here to some GTA mayors - over 50 per cent of the Building Canada Plan money goes directly to municipalities.  This will help them meet their infrastructure needs over the longer term - needs such as transit in the GTA, where the Federal Government is already a significant funding partner.

When we invest in Canadian gateways and corridors, we improve the efficiency and environmental sustainability of goods movement in Canada, which is so essential to the health of the economy.  In the B.C. Lower Mainland, for example, we are working in partnership with five municipalities, two railways, the port authority, and the provincial government to eliminate level crossings. 

The results:

• faster, more efficient train service;
• less congestion and engine idling for vehicle traffic; and
• reduced noise. 

And in spite of the growth in trade and transportation, there is less impact on the environment.

Infrastructure investments can be a powerful tool for achieving environmental goals, alongside important economic and social objectives. 

But we also know that we can improve the environmental performance of Canada’s transportation system by addressing particular transportation modes. Every mode can play a part.

The key to our progress will be the speed with which each mode is able to take up available and emerging technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
 
Last February, we announced the EcoFREIGHT program.  It provides $61 million over four years for initiatives to accelerate the adoption of emission-reducing technologies in freight transportation. 

This includes funding for demonstration projects in all modes, to test and measure promising freight technologies in real-world operating conditions – to build industry knowledge and experience with technologies. 

The EcoFREIGHT program also provides funding for the purchase and installation of proven technologies to reduce emissions. 

This will help transportation companies to get over some of the initial financial hurdles of implementing new technology.
 
We have received more than a hundred applications for the first round of funding for these programs. This is three times more than the number we anticipated.  I am pleased to see that a high proportion of the applications come from trucking transportation, reflecting the growing commitment of the trucking industry to environmental solutions.
 
So there is a great deal of consensus about the importance of technology in reducing smog and greenhouse gas emissions – and a great deal of willingness by all transportation modes to do their part. 

Harnessing the full potential of technology will require real commitment from the transportation industry, and I believe that this commitment exists.

In air transportation, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Air Transport Association of Canada.  Canada is the first country in the world to have negotiated an MOU with its aviation industry to reduce GHG from aviation sources.

We signed an MOU with the Railway Association of Canada as well so that this mode will continue to reduce its emissions, of both greenhouse gases and air pollutants, while we develop new regulations that will come into effect under the Railway Safety Act.

We have begun some very positive discussions with key associations in Canada’s marine industry to see how we can achieve similar progress in this mode, building on their leadership shown recently through the release of the Green Marine plan. As with the aviation sector, an agreement would take into account developments in the international context.

But we need to do more.  We need to take our performance to the next level.  And this will require more than the voluntary efforts I have outlined.

As part of the Government of Canada’s Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, we will develop and implement new regulations to limit railway emissions.  These regulations will take effect in 2011 when the current Memorandum of Understanding with the rail industry expires.

The marine and aviation sectors present unique challenges because they operate in an international context where countries collaborate on their respective regulations…
…through the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization. 

The Minister of Transport will support the development of new, stricter international standards through these organizations, and consider their domestic application under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and the Aeronautics Act, respectively.
 
With respect to the trucking sector, the Government will continue to develop and implement regulations to reduce air pollutant emissions in alignment with the world-leading national standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  These regulations will be applied under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

I would like to speak more specifically of the important challenge we face in reducing emissions from personal vehicles in Canada.
 
The auto industry targets for Company Average Fuel Consumption were established in 1976.  These targets gave the Canadian motor vehicle industry consistent goals to improve motor vehicle fuel efficiency, and the industry has consistently met those targets.  But it’s not enough.

And so, as part of our Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, the Government announced that, for the first time ever, Canada will regulate the fuel efficiency of new cars and light trucks.  Regulations will be implemented through the Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act and will begin with the 2011 model year. 

The Government took an important step towards fulfilling this commitment on November 2nd, when it proclaimed the Act to bring it into effect. This will make possible the establishment of one national standard for the fuel efficiency of cars and light trucks.

In a very short time we will release a consultation paper that will help guide the creation of these regulations and how they will be implemented. 

The consultation paper will provide stakeholders with the information they need to understand our objectives in making these regulations, and the process by which decisions will be made.
 
With this document, we will consult with representatives of provincial and territorial governments, industry, non-government organizations and other stakeholders, including the public.  We will consider this input when we develop the regulations.

Tonight I would like to challenge each member of the transportation sector to strengthen their commitment to minimize the impacts of their activities on the environment.  We are a huge country, and one that depends on an effective, efficient, safe and sustainable transportation system.

We are all pleased that the Canadian economy is strong, and shows tremendous potential for sustained growth. 

This growth in trade and economic activity will lead to growth in transportation activity, and this will put pressure on our environment if we don’t take action to change the way we move goods and people in Canada.
 
The transportation industry is one of the most important sources of both greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.  In spite of all our efforts over the years, we haven’t been cutting our total greenhouse gas emissions – we’ve been increasing them.

Now, to make a significant impact on Canada’s greenhouse gas and pollution, we need to take serious steps to tackle the transportation sector.
 
I hope that, in future galas, when we all come together with Pollution Probe to celebrate your successes and your legacy, we will look back on this period as an era when Canada’s transportation sector truly became a leader in protecting the environment for Canadians.

I look forward to playing a role in strengthening the partnerships we have built with industry, other governments and organizations like Pollution Probe.
 
I congratulate you on your work – and on your legacy that goes back nearly four decades.

And I look forward to working with you for many years to come!

Thank you.