With both sides using scaremongering tactics and an issue that is exceedingly complex the public may become cynical and apathetic. This would play into the hands of the Conservatives who realise the environment is not their strong point. Although the environment shows up in polls as a big concern it is not at all clear how much if any people are willing to sacrifice to solve environmental problems. Hence the Conservatives may be wisely stressing costs and ignoring benefits. It would seem that there might very well be short term overall costs in meeting Kyoto but then the world is not going to collapse if Canada commits itself, tries its best, and fails! The whole article is at this site.
Cost of Kyoto is recession: Baird
Meagan Fitzpatrick, CanWest News Service
Published: Friday, April 20, 2007
OTTAWA - The cost of meeting Canada's Kyoto commitments would be an economic downturn to rival the worst recessions of the past 60 years, spiralling energy costs and the worst unemployment in several generations, John Baird, Minister of the Environment, said yesterday.
Appearing before a Senate committee studying Bill C-288, the Liberal bill that would force the government to comply with Kyoto, Mr. Baird painted an apocalyptic portrait of a country economically hobbled by the wrenching changes Kyoto would require.
Home heating costs would spiral; joblessness would soar; and Canada's economy would slow by 4.2%, equal to the worst recession since the Second World War.
Liberals and other opponents immediately accused the government of scaremongering.
"This minister has put forward no analysis on the related, positive economic benefits. In fact, he deliberately ignored those benefits that come from better energy efficiency, lower energy use and jobs related to the benefits of emissions reductions," said Liberal environment critic David McGuinty.
"Why did he do so? Because that story is too positive, too positive for Canadians to know."
Mr. Baird stood his ground, and was backed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"You cannot reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one-third in less than four years and have a positive effect for the Canadian economy," Mr. Harper said.
"We will bring forward a plan that will result in real reductions in a reasonable time frame and it will result in long-term growth for the Canadian economy. This party has no intention of doing anything that is going to destroy Canadian jobs or damage the health of this economy."
Showing posts with label Canada and Kyoto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada and Kyoto. Show all posts
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
A May election?
If the opposition parties are serious they should have a non-confidence vote after sixty days if the Conservatives do not meet the terms of the bill. I understand that the government perhaps could be taken to court or perhaps the bill will not be declared law. We will see.
Opposition MPs pass Kyoto bill despite Tory resistance
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 | 7:19 PM ET
CBC News
The opposition parties teamed up Wednesday to pass a private member's bill that requires the government to meet international Kyoto targets — despite the Conservatives' attempt to kill the bill hours before the vote.
The bill, which was introduced 10 months ago by Liberal backbencher Pablo Rodriguez, gives the government 60 days to table a detailed plan outlining how Canada will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Liberal backbench MP Pablo Rodriguez talks to reporters outside the House of Commons after Question Period Wednesday. He introduced the Kyoto bill that was passed despite opposition from the Conservative government.
(Fred Chartrand/Associated Press) The bill, backed by the NDP and the Bloc Québécois, passed 161-113 on Wednesday night. All the Conservatives who were present voted against it.
"I declare the motion passed," Speaker Peter Milliken said.
The bill urges the government to create fines and jail terms for businesses and industries that over-pollute.
Under the international Kyoto protocol, which was signed by Canada under a previous Liberal government in 1998 and ratified in 2002, the country agreed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by six per cent from 1990 levels by 2012.
Continue Article
After Stephen Harper and the Conservatives won the 2006 election, they said Canada's Kyoto commitments were not achievable within the 2012 deadline and would devastate the economy.
Tories tried to get bill declared invalid
Several hours before the vote on Rodriguez's bill on Wednesday, the Speaker turned down a Conservative appeal to have the bill declared invalid.
The Tories argued the bill would force the government to spend money against its will, but Milliken said the bill contained no specific spending measures.
Rodriguez has said that his bill, which is expected to be passed by the Liberal-dominated Senate, would compel the government to act.
"They are bound to it. It's the law of the land," Rodriguez said before the vote. "The prime minister cannot cherry pick laws. He's not the new emperor of Canada.
"The government has to respect it and implement it. If not, we go to the courts," he said.
Rodriguez insisted the bill isn't part of a political game and that it would apply to the Liberals if they win the next election.
However, Environment Minister John Baird says there are no consequences or penalties if the conditions of the bill aren't followed.
"It's really a toothless tiger. All it does is talk about more plans and more studies … we need real action," he said before the vote.
David Docherty, a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, said it will be up to the opposition to enforce the bill — if it becomes law — and the government doesn't meet the deadline for action.
"Well, if they don't come up with a plan in 60 days, I guess the question is then, how far is the opposition willing to go to make them do that?" Docherty said.
Docherty said the opposition could hold a non-confidence vote if the Conservatives ignore the legislation, but he isn't convinced all three parties are eager to trigger a spring election.
Earlier this month, the House of Commons passed a non-binding motion calling on the government to honour the Kyoto commitments. Harper didn't attend
Opposition MPs pass Kyoto bill despite Tory resistance
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 | 7:19 PM ET
CBC News
The opposition parties teamed up Wednesday to pass a private member's bill that requires the government to meet international Kyoto targets — despite the Conservatives' attempt to kill the bill hours before the vote.
The bill, which was introduced 10 months ago by Liberal backbencher Pablo Rodriguez, gives the government 60 days to table a detailed plan outlining how Canada will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Liberal backbench MP Pablo Rodriguez talks to reporters outside the House of Commons after Question Period Wednesday. He introduced the Kyoto bill that was passed despite opposition from the Conservative government.
(Fred Chartrand/Associated Press) The bill, backed by the NDP and the Bloc Québécois, passed 161-113 on Wednesday night. All the Conservatives who were present voted against it.
"I declare the motion passed," Speaker Peter Milliken said.
The bill urges the government to create fines and jail terms for businesses and industries that over-pollute.
Under the international Kyoto protocol, which was signed by Canada under a previous Liberal government in 1998 and ratified in 2002, the country agreed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by six per cent from 1990 levels by 2012.
Continue Article
After Stephen Harper and the Conservatives won the 2006 election, they said Canada's Kyoto commitments were not achievable within the 2012 deadline and would devastate the economy.
Tories tried to get bill declared invalid
Several hours before the vote on Rodriguez's bill on Wednesday, the Speaker turned down a Conservative appeal to have the bill declared invalid.
The Tories argued the bill would force the government to spend money against its will, but Milliken said the bill contained no specific spending measures.
Rodriguez has said that his bill, which is expected to be passed by the Liberal-dominated Senate, would compel the government to act.
"They are bound to it. It's the law of the land," Rodriguez said before the vote. "The prime minister cannot cherry pick laws. He's not the new emperor of Canada.
"The government has to respect it and implement it. If not, we go to the courts," he said.
Rodriguez insisted the bill isn't part of a political game and that it would apply to the Liberals if they win the next election.
However, Environment Minister John Baird says there are no consequences or penalties if the conditions of the bill aren't followed.
"It's really a toothless tiger. All it does is talk about more plans and more studies … we need real action," he said before the vote.
David Docherty, a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, said it will be up to the opposition to enforce the bill — if it becomes law — and the government doesn't meet the deadline for action.
"Well, if they don't come up with a plan in 60 days, I guess the question is then, how far is the opposition willing to go to make them do that?" Docherty said.
Docherty said the opposition could hold a non-confidence vote if the Conservatives ignore the legislation, but he isn't convinced all three parties are eager to trigger a spring election.
Earlier this month, the House of Commons passed a non-binding motion calling on the government to honour the Kyoto commitments. Harper didn't attend
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