Mr. Speaker, in the Northwest Territories we are already seeing the effects of climate change. As a government we are concerned that these effects will intensify if global emissions of the gases that cause climate change are not controlled. That is why, Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has remained actively engaged in international and national discussions on climate change for over 10 years.
To date, this government has consistently supported the Kyoto Protocol because it is the only coordinated global plan, signed by over 160 nations, to control global greenhouse gas emissions. Prime Minister Chretien stated in Johannesburg that Canada will ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Mr. Speaker, the way Canada sets out to fulfill its Kyoto obligations could impact all Canadians, the economy and the natural environment which is so important to our residents. To date, we do not know what Canada's plan is.
However, on October 26th, federal Environment Minister David Anderson and Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal, are expected to release Canada's draft climate change implementation plan to all energy and environment Ministers in Halifax. Last week Minister Anderson reconfirmed to me that a basic principle of the implementation plan will be that no one region or sector will be unduly impacted. This is critical to the Northwest Territories where unprecedented levels of economic development are resulting in increased levels of greenhouse gas production.
Our government will review Canada's plan carefully in relation to our plans for resource development. We will also look at what actions called for in Canada's plan will cost this government and northern business. We need to understand how the plan can assist the Northwest Territories in reducing our dependence on important fossil fuels through energy efficiency measures and the development of natural gas and renewable energy sources that make economic sense. We also need to see how the federal plan fits with our greenhouse gas strategy and the energy strategy that we are developing.
Mr. Speaker, our analysis of Canada's implementation plan cannot begin until we see the plan. I will report on the outcomes of the October 28th meeting with energy and environment Ministers to the Legislative Assembly and provide a copy of Canada's plan to this Legislature, which is essential before any debate takes place.
In the meantime I will table two documents today that provide the most recent information we have about what Canada is considering including in its draft climate change implementation plan. The first document is the Discussion Paper on Canada's Contribution to Addressing Climate Change that was released in May this year. This document formed the basis for consultations that took place across Canada, including Yellowknife, over the summer. The second document is the report of the discussions at the Yellowknife workshop on June 13th.
Mr. Speaker, climate change is real. It represents an unsurpassed challenge for all Canadians and Northerners. This government has, and will continue to, actively participate in the national discussions on how Canada will fulfill its Kyoto obligations. Mahsi.