To achieve this, we must accomplish two things today. First, we have to be seen to actually move on environmental protection, not just talk about the issues. That's why I'm particularly happy about today's focus on the environment and children's health. When we met last year, Canada's Environment Minister spoke about the important links between the environment and health, and all present agreed that this area deserved further attention. Today's agenda is testament to its importance.
Children are especially sensitive to environmental hazards.
Not having clean drinking water kills more than two million children every year. It is the single greatest threat to childhood survival. We are now living in an age when air pollution is poisoning children. In Canada, a full 15 percent of infant respiratory admissions are associated with ozone-sulphate pollution. Environmental risks to children's health pay no attention to national borders.