Canadian families have been lacking a clear, strong federal voice. My colleagues and I intend to change that and provide leadership by speaking for the family and developing policy alternatives that would encourage, strengthen and protect the fabric of this most basic unit of our society. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak about National Transportation Week which took place last week, June 5 to June 11. The importance of the transportation component to business is fundamental. We are reminded of it almost every day.
Transportation plays an essential role in the competitive cycle.
In the business community where advantages are harder than ever to come by, efficient, intermodal and competitively priced transportation is essential to success. With the emergence of a truly global economy, the ability to forecast and adapt to international and national change is essential for transportation. We can also be proud of the dedication, professionalism and hard work of the scores of men and women who keep our transportation industries on the go year round. In just 23 years Environment Canada has made significant contributions to our understanding of the environment and the consequences of our interaction with it. The department in broadening its approach to environmental issues no longer focuses on individual problems but treats the entire ecosystem as a unit of interdependent elements.