Environment Minister David Anderson took the final step in the ratification process Tuesday, meaning that as of now, Canada is officially signed on to the Kyoto Protocol.

Mr. Anderson's delivery of a document signed by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and four cabinet ministers to the United Nations in New York makes official Canada's ratification of the agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Please see:
• Farmers urged to cut greenhouse gases

Canada is the 98th country to do so, after New Zealand ratified Kyoto last week.

"Ratifying the Kyoto Protocol is the right thing to do for Canadians, for the global environment and for future generations. The scientific consensus demanded action, and the government of Canada listened and worked with all sectors and segments of the population to develop a climate-change plan for Canada that will get results," Mr. Anderson said in New York, where he delivered the document to the United Nations headquarters at 9:15 a.m.

This week marks a victory for Mr. Chrétien, who at the Earth Summit in South Africa last summer vowed to ratify Kyoto by Christmas — much to the concern of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties, along with some industry and business groups.

Some groups are still looking for more assurances to limit their exposure under the deal. The United States rejected the treaty for fear of hurting its economy.

The treaty doesn't come into effect until Russia signs, because implementation depends on ratification by countries representing 55 per cent of emissions. Russia's greenhouse-gas output will give the deal the quota it needs.

After he signed the document on Monday, Mr. Chrétien seemed proud of his accomplishment.

"A lot of people thought we would break our necks doing that, but because of the good work of you and all the members and the parliamentary secretaries, I think we can all feel pretty good today," the Prime Minister said in Ottawa.

With a report from Steve Chase