Here in the Lower Mainland we appreciate the beauties and splendor of the world around us and want to leave clean air, water, and land to future generations. Like other Canadians, we want action on the environment; action that reduces green house gases while preserving our standard of living and way of life. Unfortunately, previous Liberal governments failed to act while Canada’s air quality got worse and greenhouse gas emissions skyrocketed. Conservatives are turning the corner with a practical, achievable plan to clean up Canada’s air, land and water and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We have introduced a balanced, achievable plan to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020 and cut air pollution in half by 2015. In this plan for the first time ever, industry will be forced by law to meet tough emission reduction targets; and national caps for industrial emissions of four air pollutants commonly associated with smog and acid rain will be introduced.

Our government has also created the $2 billion ecoENERGY Initiative to promote smarter energy use, greater use of clean energy sources, and cleaner use of traditional energy sources. This program includes initiatives like the ecoAUTO rebate for fuel efficient vehicles; and grants to individuals and businesses to help them invest in energy and pollution-saving upgrades.

We have also created a $1.5 billion trust for clean air and climate change in partnership with the provinces and territories. This includes support for research and innovation for the reduction and sequestration of greenhouse gases; and support for the development of a “hydrogen highway,” a network of hydrogen fuelling stations for fuel celled buses and vehicles, in British Columbia.

Other environmental initiatives include an investment pf $2 billion for the production of renewable fuels, a $300 million Chemicals Management Plan to regulate chemicals harmful to human health and the environment, and $225 million to acquire and preserve ecologically sensitive lands.