We intend to use it. We are looking hard at tradable emissions permits to meet Canada's climate change commitments. But lack of practical experience on such a grand scale is compounded by a lack of understanding of market instruments at every level in our society. You can and must play a vital role in analyzing the benefits and weaknesses of market incentives. You can further that role by engaging your business and environmental colleagues, the media and the general public in a discussion of the broad strokes.
Environmental taxes are tricky.
While in some circumstances they can be very effective, Canadians are in no mood for tax increases. We may also want to have a thoughtful look at positive tax incentives. I would appreciate your thinking about whether reducing the tax burden for energy efficient activities could become a practical reality in Canada as it has in some of our European allies. In putting forward these issues, I seek to advance the environmental priorities we all share and on which the federal government, your federal government, is already acting. A clean, healthy environment for Canadians and the preservation of our natural spaces.