First, we are very pleased the Government makes no reference to the Kyoto Protocol or purchasing ‘carbon credits’ from foreign governments in their announcements today,’ said Dr. Timothy Ball, Chairman of NRSP. ‘Kyoto ratification was a serious mistake that Canada must remedy by withdrawing from the Protocol in February 2008, the earliest date possible. Second, NRSP expresses support for the Government’s promise of open consultations with Canadians before emission regulations are decided upon, something that has never occurred to date despite over a decade of government action on the issues. ‘The opportunity will now exist to involve independent climate scientists, engineers and economists,’ explains NRSP advisor Dr. Tim Patterson, Carleton University earth sciences professor hird, NRSP considers it an advance that the government is now speaking about reducing greenhouse intensities over the short and medium term, instead of absolute emission caps.