"In Quebec, we have not had the issue that other provinces have had and I'm not sure why," Charest said after delivering a speech to an environmental conference discussing Canada's role at the upcoming Earth Summit in Brazil.
"Every time this was raised at meetings . . . I've always been intrigued by why it has not worked as well elsewhere and (in) Quebec, it has worked well. Mind you, we believe that the processes need to be effective, predictable and we'll work to that end."
Charest's environment minister, Pierre Arcand, said a few weeks ago that Quebec saw some positive aspects of potential federal reforms, but the premier, who was Canada's environment minister when Parliament adopted the Environmental Assessment Act, noted that the legislation already allows the different levels of government to work together.
"In Quebec, we've very well mastered the ability of doing joint assessments," said Charest.
"We are big believers in our assessment process. I have learned, through my experiences, that trying to short circuit to reduce the process will only make it longer, and it is better to have a rigorous, solid process. It gives a better outcome, and for those who are promoting projects, it will give them more predictability than if not."
He said he was told at the original Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro that humanity would never adequately address important issues such as climate change unless Canada stepped up to the plate with strong commitments.
Charest, who represented Canada at the 1992 summit as environment minister in Brian Mulroney's government, said the then-prime minister had told him that showing leadership was "the right thing to do."
He also said that Quebec has not faced as much resistance from industry as he expected from launching green policies such as a carbon tax and a market trading system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
But he said it helps when a government shows "clear determination" that it plans to act and defines the level of discussion.
"There was never any doubt that this (action in Quebec) would happen," Charest said in a speech to the conference, hosted by Sustainable Prosperity, a think tank at the University of Ottawa. "In the end, leaders lead, and if you set the direction, the industry will follow."
He said that international policies or agreements can also help to level the playing field for industrial sectors that are under attack. He recalled that Canadian forestry companies were opposed to a global declaration on forests, but later decided to support the idea in the face of an international campaign criticizing their environmental performance "because it would allow them to be measured against objective benchmarks instead of arbitrary perceptions."
He added that using a cap-and-trade system where governments set caps on pollution and require companies to reduce their emissions or buy credits from greener companies at a price set by the market was successfully adopted to reduce acid rain-causing pollution.
"I'm a big believer in economic instruments," said Charest. "By the way, they work."
Charest also praised Alberta Premier Alison Redford for making plans to attend the upcoming summit and participate in the discussion.
Brazil's ambassador to Canada, Piragibe Tarrago, told the Sustainable Prosperity conference that he hoped the upcoming summit would lead the world to adopt new sustainable development goals, with mechanisms to monitor each country's progress on clean energy, sustainable consumption of natural resources and the eradication of poverty.
The current federal environment minister, Peter Kent, declined an invitation to speak at the Ottawa conference, but was expected to join participants for a reception.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government has introduced some regulations to reduce emissions, but has backed away from a plan to use a market system to reduce emissions through cap and trade, and has delayed plans to regulate the oilsands sector, which is the fastest-growing source of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions.
Charest also took aim at the former Liberal government of Jean Chretien, saying it failed to engage all provinces in the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, and that Canada is now paying the price.
He also praised staff at Environment Canada, who are now facing significant cuts, saying they serve their country well in research and science required to develop policies.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Mike De Souza
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