That is significant, but it is not enough. Other parts of the country, such as the Pacific-Northwest, are affected by transboundary pollution. I intend to talk to my American colleague to ensure that the cooperation shown in reducing pollutants in the smog corridors in Ontario and Quebec is extended to the Pacific Northwest so that more Canadians can benefit from cleaner air. To that end, I am pleased to see that meetings start this Wednesday among officials from Environment Canada, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the B.C. Government, the State of Washington, the Greater Vancouver Regional District and the Fraser Valley Regional districts to start the work for a comprehensive international air quality management plan for the region. This plan will assist regulators in both countries to better assess proposed projects that impact on air quality for the Fraser Valley.
Clean air is a national issue.
Canadians continue to point to air pollution as their biggest environmental health concern. Solutions are not always easy to find nor can they be quickly implemented. But we can not linger. We have to work together on this. Too many Canadian lives are lost prematurely and too many Canadians get sick because of air pollution.