Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that as Canada is set to become an energy superpower, it must also take responsibility for the environmental consequences.

"I think our situation is such that we can become one of the largest producers of oil, gas, uranium and electrical energy and we'll continue to be," Harper said during a speech Thursday at an environmental conference in Montreal.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper addresses an environmental conference in Montreal on Thursday.
(CBC)

"But with great energy power comes great environmental responsibility," he said, amending a line from Spider-Man.

Harper said in the next couple of weeks, his government will unveil its plan for national mandatory emission targets for greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution for the main industrial sectors.

"Are Canadians ready to mobilize in a national project of environmental protection for this generation and future generations? I believe we are."

The country must demonstrate leadership when it comes to protecting and improving its environment, Harper said.

"Canada must not be merely an energy superpower, but a clean energy superpower," he said.

Harper said he wants a balanced approach that promotes environmental progress but protects jobs and Canadians' standard of living.

If clean-air technologies currently being tested in Alberta and Saskatchewan prove successful, Canada will export the technology to the rest of the world and "make a huge difference in reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions," Harper said.