Those ways range from ongoing scientific research on air quality to determining if there will be a smog alert today. Of course, science has to be the start, not the end of our strategies. We have to focus our work on the most significant influences on clean air. That means our strategies have to start with action on transportation. The reason is simple.
Vehicle emissions are the single biggest contributor to Canada's air pollution problem.
We have known this for years. Even so, my predecessors and I were somewhat limited in what we could achieve on transportation. The responsibilities for action were spread across a number of portfolios. I am pleased to report that has now changed. When Parliament passed the new Canadian Environmental Protection Act, it ensured that my department would have responsibility for off-road vehicles and engines, as well as for those that travel our streets and highways.