" "WHILE PROTECTING THEENVIRONMENTAND HUMANHEALTH, CLEARAND FOCUSEDREGULATORY ACTIONS ALSOPROVIDE INDUSTRY WITHTHE CERTAINTYNEEDED TO SUSTAIN ECONOMIC ANDJOB GROWTHG8 MEMBER COUNTRIES025While protecting the environment and human health,clear and focused regulatory actions also provideindustry with the certainty needed to sustain economicand job growth.It is a question of the balance I referred to earlier. Ourgovernment has pursued its sector-by-sector regulatoryapproach beginning with two of the largest sources ofGHG emissions: electricity and transportation. In onecase, we have set our own course. In the other, we haveworked closely with our American partners.The electricity sector is a prime example of areas whereit is impractical to align our climate change policy.Ours is one of the cleanest systems in the world: wehave 51 coal-fired plants compared to 650 in theUnited States. That is why our new regulations for coal-fired electricity generation are unique to Canada and,with an implementation date of 2015, will make usone of the first countries to phase out emissions fromdirty coal.The proposed regulations send a clear signal toindustry at a time when many older plants are about tobe replaced. By sharing this plan early, we caninfluence investment decisions now and help avoid thenew construction of higher-emitting facilities.Electricity differs from transportation, where we haveworked closely with the United States from the outsetto get the plan right. Together we have establishedstringent standards for GHG emissions from passengercars and light trucks for the 2011 to 2016 modelyears. Going forward, we will continue working with theUnited States to develop even tougher standards for2017 and later model years. Our government has alsoannounced its intent to develop regulations to limitGHG emissions from new on-road heavy-duty vehicles,in alignment with those being developed in the UnitedStates.The regulations will apply to 2014 and latermodel year heavy-duty vehicles.Our plan includes action to reduce GHG and airpollutant emissions from the aviation, marine, and railmodes. Canada is working with the United States andits international partners through the InternationalMaritime Organization and the International CivilAviation Organization to develop and implement newemissions standards for these modes as well.The transportation and electricity sectors will yieldimportant results and make progress towards ourgovernment's 2020 target. That said, significant work remains. That is why we intend to continue todevelop performance standards for other major sectorsof the economy.Looking forward, our government will continue toimplement its plan by developing performancestandards for all major emitters to make furtherprogress toward Canada's GHG reduction target. There is no question that environmental regulation willplay a key role in fulfilling the commitment we havemade - and will keep - to develop our naturalresources in a responsible and sustainable way.Neither is there any question that it is going to take atremendous degree of consultation and co-operation todevelop and implement the right plan to address ourenvironmental footprint. nThe above article is excerpted from the ClimateChange Milestones speech delivered by theHonourable Peter Kent, Canadian Minister of theEnvironment, at the Economic Club of Canada inToronto on 28 January 2011. For more information onEnvironment Canada visit: www.ec.gc.ca.

ne month has passed since the Great EastJapan Earthquake, which caused over13,000 people to lose their lives in the enormous earthquake and tsunamisthat struck. Even now, over 14,000 people remainunaccounted for, and about 150,000 people remainforced to take shelter as evacuees. I extend my heartfeltsympathy to all the people who have suffered as a resultof this disaster, both Japanese nationals and non-Japanese, and to their families.We are currently mobilising all resources to bring thesituation at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Stationunder stable control and working to stabilise thesituation there at the earliest possible time.This one month since the great earthquake has beenan extremely arduous time for Japan. Yet at the sametime, it has been a period during which Japan has onceagain realised, and once again given thanks, that westand together with the world.Thus far, over 130 nations and regions, nearly 40international organisations, a number of non-governmental organisations and people from all around the globe have extended their best wishes tous, and moreover they have expressed their supportand solidarity through donations and other means. Various countries and regions rushed in rescue workersto swiftly conduct rescue operations in the affectedareas swiftly and delivered supplies such as food,medical supplies, and blankets. This assistance also brought wholehearted encouragement to thedisaster victims. In addition, we have receivedthousands of origami paper cranes intently folded bychildren in distant nations wishing for thereconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas.KIZUNA -THE BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP11 APRIL 2011026G8 MEMBER COUNTRIESNAOTO KAN, PRIME MINISTER, JAPANOTop right: UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz; Right: © European Union, 2011