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ENSU Committee Report

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Committee Report

Minority Report of the Official Opposition Members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development in Response to the Pre-Kyoto Climate Change Study

Regarding the proposed Draft Report by the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development "Pre-Kyoto Climate Change Study", Reform Party members of the committee (hereinafter referred to as "we") first want to emphasize that we believe in the common sense of the common people, their right to be consulted on public policy matters before major decisions are made, and their right to govern themselves through truly representative and responsible institutions. Public consultation, collaboration, and consensus building are essential to the effective realization of responsible and realistic energy efficiency goals within Canada.

The government has had years to prepare for the Kyoto Summit in order to bring a unified and acceptable position to the negotiating table in Kyoto before signing on to an international legally binding treaty to reduce emissions. Yet, committee hearings did not begin until weeks before the Kyoto Conference. Government officials failed to provide the committee with adequate documentation or information to allow committee members to make an informed decision, and committee members were rushed to come to a consensus on the agreement. Therefore, as a result of insufficient documentation and evidence to formulate sound decisions or to back its recommendations, we find the conclusions of the committee flawed.

We believe the strategy to deal with emission targets must be developed with input from representatives of provincial and federal governments, environmental and energy interests, business and industry. The widespread support of a fully informed and cooperative public is essential to achieving national targets for emission levels. Yet, the government failed to publicly present its position until the Kyoto Summit had already begun on December 1, 1997. The government has also failed in its responsibility to present the committee and Canadians with the necessary documentation or studies to provide justification for the government position, or to inform Canadians of the implied costs or measures that may be necessary to implement the proposed reduction targets.

Given that the environment is a joint federal and provincial responsibility and that natural resources are a provincial responsibility, it is critical that the provinces are in agreement with any proposal to reduce emissions before any plan is finalized by the federal government. It is the provinces that will implement and take the financial impact of emissions stabilization or reductions. Therefore, it is critical the provinces are in agreement before, not after, any agreement is reached. However, the government has failed to achieve consensus from the provinces and Canadians on emission target levels, and has put forward a proposal that is contrary to the Regina Accord which set emission target levels agreeable to all Provinces with the exception of Quebec. Consequently, the government has no mandate from Canadians to commit to a legally binding agreement that may have profound effects on the economic and social conditions within Canada. Therefore, the government must ensure that targets negotiated in Kyoto are put before the provinces for ratification and brought to the House of Commons in the form of a Bill for debate followed by a vote of the House.

During committee we heard a number of scientific witnesses which clearly indicated that there is considerable difference of opinion within the scientific community regarding the debate of whether there is a correlation between climatic changes and the burning of fossil fuels. It is questionable whether government scientists are able to express their true scientific opinion on this issue because of their contractual obligations to the government. It is clear that more independent scientific analysis on this issue is warranted.

In addressing national emission target projections the fossil fuel industry should be treated as a partner, not as an adversary. We recommend that the fossil fuel industry be included in decisions and strategies as part of the solution, not just treated as part of the problem.

The possibility of climate change is a global issue and it must be addressed collectively. Canada is responsible for two percent of the world’s emissions. Yet developing countries are currently responsible for 40-50% of the world’s emissions, and it is anticipated that developing countries will make up 60% of the world’s emissions in the next ten to fifteen years. If developing countries are not part of the discussion about climate change and rising emissions, then there will not be a solution. Any proposed goals of reducing emissions will not be achieved without their participation. We must create a level playing field with developing nations. Both developed and developing nations must participate equally in protocols.

We, the Reform members of the Committee, therefore propose the following recommendations:

Recommendation 1	That the federal government, in cooperation with its partners, the provinces, industry and non-governmental organizations, pursue and encourage the necessary research for a better scientific understanding of the effects of rising emission levels on the environment, to determine the degree, if any, that the burning of fossil fuels effects climate, whether there is any correlation between human activity and changes to the environment, and to establish an effective solution to adequately address the situation.
Recommendation 2	That the federal government take immediate action to provide Canadians with the adequate documentation to support its position on rising gas emissions and global warming to Canadians, and to inform Canadians on the possible economic and social effects of federal targets, and the implications of the possible strategies available to implement federally proposed targets.
Recommendation 3	That the federal government take the necessary steps to consult Canadians on both the scientific data and the economic and social implications of target levels and the means to achieving targets before entering into an international legally binding commitment. The consultation process should be nationwide and should include both municipal and provincial representatives as well as industry and environmental groups, and should result in a consensus on the best course of action.
Recommendation 4	That the federal government work with provincial governments in all steps of the decision-making process in regard to greenhouse gas reduction targets and implementation plans. Provincial ratification must be achieved before any plans are finalized for implementation.
Recommendation 5	That the federal government undertake a detailed review of its Voluntary Challenge and Registry Program to include concrete targets and detailed action plans wherever possible, to achieve the most cost-effective methods of maximizing efficient energy use.
Recommendation 6	As there is no evidence of any correlation between increasing taxes and reducing emissions, we recommend that the federal government avoid the use of coercive taxation measures as a "global warming" strategy.
Recommendation 7	That the federal government take the necessary steps to ensure that a level playing field is achieved between developed and developing nations in international negotiations. Canada should not sign any legally binding treaty without the participation of the majority of nations who contribute to rising emission levels.
Recommendation 8	That the federal government ensure that any international agreement to reduce emissions signed by Canada be in the best interests of Canadians, protects Canada’s economic growth and has minimal disruption to the income security and standard of living of Canadians.