OTTAWA – The Canadian Press is always on the lookout for noteworthy or zesty exchanges on the floor of the House of Commons. On Tuesday, Liberal MP John McKay went after Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq about reports that climate change is causing dramatic changes in Antarctica’s ice sheet.

McKay: Mr. Speaker, NASA has now confirmed that the ice melt in western Antarctica is “almost certainly unstoppable” and that “a three metre rise in sea levels is now almost inevitable.”

Meanwhile, we have a minister of the environment from Iqaluit — much of which will almost certainly disappear — giving nonsense answers in question period. If the minister refuses to give meaningful answers here, will she at least, this afternoon, meet with the press and share her thoughts on this impending climate catastrophe?

Aglukkaq: Mr. Speaker, for the record, I am from Gjoa Haven.

Since 2006, our government has invested significant funds in more efficient technologies, better infrastructure and adaptation in clean energy. We have taken action on two of the largest sources of emissions in the country, transportation and the electricity sector. In fact, in the first 21 years of our coal regulations we expect to see cumulative reductions in greenhouse gas emissions equal to removing about 2.6 million vehicles per year from the road.

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