But we also know that the problems have built up over the years, and we're not going to solve them before the summer is over. We can take steps in the short term. But what we really need is commitment and focus to explore further measures to improve air quality. So let me acknowledge the fact that transportation is a big factor in smog. The sector contributes up to 40 percent of some smog-producing emissions.
Transportation is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
I know that smog and greenhouse gas emissions are not the same thing. But the steps we take to reduce greenhouse gases in transportation will also help reduce smog. Canada has made ambitious greenhouse gas commitments in the Kyoto Protocol and, as I'm sure David Anderson will agree, this will help address the smog issue in the long term as well. Last week I convened a Millennium Conference on Transportation. Over 200 of the country's key transportation decision makers shared views on the transportation priorities of the new millennium.