We can protect both our environment and our way of life
Friends,
Some of the most important work on Parliament Hill doesn’t occur in the House of Commons, but in Committee rooms. Committees examine, in small groups, selected matters in greater depth than is possible in the House of Commons. These Committees of Parliament report conclusions of those examinations, and recommendations, to the House. Committees undertake studies on departmental spending, legislation and issues related to their mandate.
I believe we need to work toward solutions that both protect our environment and our way of life. Both can be achieved if reasonable policies are put forward, and all factors considered.
As a member of the Environment Committee, I bring my knowledge of Canada’s resource sector and how it is doing its part in contributing to a clean environment. Indeed, our resource industry has led the country in reducing emissions, and is the country’s largest contributor, by far, in investing in clean technologies.
I believe we need to work toward solutions that both protect our environment and our way of life. Both can be achieved if reasonable policies are put forward, and all factors considered. In my experience, there is never a ‘silver bullet’ solution that is going to solve one environmental problem without potential negative environmental or societal effects.
We need to understand the impacts of increased costs associated with more environmentally-friendly fuels, and understand how that affects escalating costs to society going forward, as well as the over-arching concern of having a reliable energy system – on which all of society depends, whether for heath outcomes, employment reliability, or the ability to survive in a northern environment. Doing nothing is not an option, as we know our human footprint is having a clear effect on the environment, but we need to consider the effects of the solutions presented, as they affect all of society.
The Environment committee will undertake a study this fall on how to preserve Canada’s bodies of freshwater. Members will be examining sites across Canada. Some of the topics that will be coming out of this study will be management of freshwater pollution, climate change impacts on freshwater, groundwater and effective monitoring of our waterways.
I look forward to the study and working with my colleagues on sensible solutions. Canada currently has about 20% of the world’s stock of freshwater so it is our duty to protect it.
My office is open all summer serving constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me at Greg.McLean@parl.gc.ca or by phone at 403-244-1880, and keep up-to-date on my work in Parliament on my website, GregMcLeanMP.ca.
Greg McLean