Debates of November 27, 2007 (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is all for the Minister of ITI, I believe, Bob McLeod. The Minister responsible for climate change, perhaps.

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I understand the Minister attended a federal/provincial/territorial Ministers' meeting recently where the need to respond to climate change was discussed as a priority and infrastructure in particular was discussed. How will the Minister ensure that infrastructure related to ITI and developed in the North will address the concerns of climate change? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 24-16(1): Approaches To Government Infrastructure In Response To Climate Change

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For a while there I thought I’d go through this session without a question.

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The northern economic development Ministers met in Ottawa Thursday and Friday of last week. In the discussions on climate change and in the three briefings that were presented to the northern economic development Ministers, it was pointed out that climate change is in fact a reality and this is a first instance where the issue of discussions on utilizing infrastructure as it means for adapting to the effects of climate change. This was discussed in the context of a number of different impacts of climate change and primarily with regards to buildings and with transportation. The discussion amongst the Ministers is that initially it will be primarily amongst the individual provinces and territories and their greenhouse gas strategies and as they implement them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Supplementary To Question 24-16(1): Approaches To Government Infrastructure In Response To Climate Change

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Was it recognized that building infrastructure is an important opportunity to also mitigate climate change? That is, reduce the causes of climate change at the same time as adapting to it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 24-16(1): Approaches To Government Infrastructure In Response To Climate Change

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, it was also discussed in the context of mitigating climate change and the opportunities for utilizing infrastructure to do so. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Supplementary To Question 24-16(1): Approaches To Government Infrastructure In Response To Climate Change

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very happy to hear that. On the issue of transportation, of course, a great majority of our greenhouse gas emissions are from transportation. Will the Minister commit to ensuring that all of the infrastructure that your departments have a hand in developing will both focus on the mitigation as well as the adaptation? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 24-16(1): Approaches To Government Infrastructure In Response To Climate Change

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, I’ll be working with my colleague, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, who has the lead on dealing with climate change, and will communicate that to him. Thank you.