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 Harper. Conservative environmental policy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harper. Conservative environmental policy. Show all posts
Friday, April 20, 2007
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Harper urged to pass revised Clean Air Act.
The Conservative government is now placed in a difficult position. The government really does not want to pass this bill. Baird has even made the ridiculous statement that the new bill is weaker than the original Clean Air Act. Of course he gave no evidence of this and the statement flies in the face of the evidence and statements by the main environmental groups who support the amended bill. My prediction would be that the Conservaitives will let the bill die on the order paper and make their own announcements about their brave new world of environmental initiatives. I doubt the Conservatives want to fight an election after having been defeated for not supporting this bill but we shall see!
Pass overhauled clean air bill, Harper urged
Last Updated: Friday, March 30, 2007 | 4:37 PM ET
CBC News
Environmental groups urged the Harper government on Friday to pass a bill rewritten by a special Commons committee because they say it takes real action on greenhouse gas emissions.
The Climate Action Network, Pembina Institute and Sierra Club of Canada said the bill, now called the clean air and climate change act, is much stronger now than it was when it was first tabled in the House of Commons in October.
"We expect that the government will respect the bill, put it before Parliament and respect the will of the people," John Bennett, executive director of the Climate Action Network, said in Ottawa. "This is a moment of truth for government."
Opposition parties revamped the bill through more than 100 amendments. Originally called Canada's clean air act, it was sent to the special legislative committee after it passed first reading.
"This is a government bill. This is their bill. They agreed to have it brought to a committee. Two-thirds of Canadians voted for MPs who made these amendments," he said.
The bill requires the government to make regulations to set hard targets for industry to cut greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels, starting in January 2008.
Levy on carbon emissions
It includes a $20 levy for every tonne of carbon emissions a company produces above its target. And it requires that vehicle fuel consumption regulations match international best practices.
Clare Demerse, a climate change policy analyst at the Pembina Institute, said there is no question that the bill is stronger because it requires the government to regulate heavy industry. The bill provides a standard by which to measure any new targets announced by the Harper government, she said.
Environment Minister John Baird has said the government plans a few weeks to bring in new targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He declined to say in question period on Friday whether he will bring the revamped bill before Parliament for a vote.
Demerse said she is surprised that Baird said the revamped bill is weaker than it was in its original form.
"I want to know why the minister think the bill is weaker. I think the bill is acceptable. It's not perfect, but there are targets for large emitters put right in the bill. That's what we supported," she said.
"If they are going to go ahead and make their announcement, we now have a standard. The standards are in the bill," she said.
Industrial output
Stephen Hazell, executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada, said the bill is a much improved version of the old bill because its targets are not based on the level of industrial output.
If, for example, previous Canadian governments had relied on what are known as intensity-based targets to deal with the problem of acid rain, Canada would still have the problem of acidic lakes, he said.
"The committee has squeezed the hot air out of the clean air act and turned it into the real deal. It's a real bill," he said.
As of Friday, the bill heads back to Parliament and into the hands of Baird.
It is up to Baird to act on the amended proposal, and decide whether he will bring it back to the House for a vote or leave it languishing on the order paper.
Election call possible
The government can accept the changes in the bill as proposed by the committee or use them to trigger an election call.
Under the first reading version of the previous bill, there was no mention of the Kyoto Protocol and there were no hard caps on greenhouse gas emissions until 2020 or 2025, but the government said it would seek to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45 to 65 per cent by 2050.
Also, its emissions regulations on large polluters did not take effect until 2010.
"We're going to take some time to look at the entirety of the changes they've made. I can tell you I'm not happy," Baird said Thursday. "I think they've weakened the bill and not strengthened it."
But NDP MP Nathan Cullen said all parties made compromises and hailed the new proposal as an act that could become one of the most significant pieces of environmental legislation in decades.
"Just accept defeat on the things that you've lost, and accept the fact that there are things you've voted for, and that's how the Parliament works when you're in a minority position," Cullen said.
Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion said the government agreed to send the bill to the committee and now it must act on it.
"
Pass overhauled clean air bill, Harper urged
Last Updated: Friday, March 30, 2007 | 4:37 PM ET
CBC News
Environmental groups urged the Harper government on Friday to pass a bill rewritten by a special Commons committee because they say it takes real action on greenhouse gas emissions.
The Climate Action Network, Pembina Institute and Sierra Club of Canada said the bill, now called the clean air and climate change act, is much stronger now than it was when it was first tabled in the House of Commons in October.
"We expect that the government will respect the bill, put it before Parliament and respect the will of the people," John Bennett, executive director of the Climate Action Network, said in Ottawa. "This is a moment of truth for government."
Opposition parties revamped the bill through more than 100 amendments. Originally called Canada's clean air act, it was sent to the special legislative committee after it passed first reading.
"This is a government bill. This is their bill. They agreed to have it brought to a committee. Two-thirds of Canadians voted for MPs who made these amendments," he said.
The bill requires the government to make regulations to set hard targets for industry to cut greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels, starting in January 2008.
Levy on carbon emissions
It includes a $20 levy for every tonne of carbon emissions a company produces above its target. And it requires that vehicle fuel consumption regulations match international best practices.
Clare Demerse, a climate change policy analyst at the Pembina Institute, said there is no question that the bill is stronger because it requires the government to regulate heavy industry. The bill provides a standard by which to measure any new targets announced by the Harper government, she said.
Environment Minister John Baird has said the government plans a few weeks to bring in new targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He declined to say in question period on Friday whether he will bring the revamped bill before Parliament for a vote.
Demerse said she is surprised that Baird said the revamped bill is weaker than it was in its original form.
"I want to know why the minister think the bill is weaker. I think the bill is acceptable. It's not perfect, but there are targets for large emitters put right in the bill. That's what we supported," she said.
"If they are going to go ahead and make their announcement, we now have a standard. The standards are in the bill," she said.
Industrial output
Stephen Hazell, executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada, said the bill is a much improved version of the old bill because its targets are not based on the level of industrial output.
If, for example, previous Canadian governments had relied on what are known as intensity-based targets to deal with the problem of acid rain, Canada would still have the problem of acidic lakes, he said.
"The committee has squeezed the hot air out of the clean air act and turned it into the real deal. It's a real bill," he said.
As of Friday, the bill heads back to Parliament and into the hands of Baird.
It is up to Baird to act on the amended proposal, and decide whether he will bring it back to the House for a vote or leave it languishing on the order paper.
Election call possible
The government can accept the changes in the bill as proposed by the committee or use them to trigger an election call.
Under the first reading version of the previous bill, there was no mention of the Kyoto Protocol and there were no hard caps on greenhouse gas emissions until 2020 or 2025, but the government said it would seek to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45 to 65 per cent by 2050.
Also, its emissions regulations on large polluters did not take effect until 2010.
"We're going to take some time to look at the entirety of the changes they've made. I can tell you I'm not happy," Baird said Thursday. "I think they've weakened the bill and not strengthened it."
But NDP MP Nathan Cullen said all parties made compromises and hailed the new proposal as an act that could become one of the most significant pieces of environmental legislation in decades.
"Just accept defeat on the things that you've lost, and accept the fact that there are things you've voted for, and that's how the Parliament works when you're in a minority position," Cullen said.
Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion said the government agreed to send the bill to the committee and now it must act on it.
"
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Opposition Cleans up Clean Air Act
If this bill goes to the legislature with amendments that bind the Conservatives to Kyoto targets or has other requirements they cannot accept and the Conservatives declare it a confidence motion than there could be an election. However I expect that the Conservatives will choose some other issue upon which to fall since even they do not think that they are regarded as strongest on the environment!
Clean Air Act puts Tories in hot spot as MPs propose changes
Report says speculation is growing that bill could trigger election
A special House of Commons committee has until the end of March to rewrite the Clean Air Act and opposition MPs say the Conservatives are slowing down the process.
According to a news report by CP, the bill could lead to an election call if Prime Minister Stephen Harper decides the bill is a matter of confidence and his minority government loses a vote on opposition amendments.
All three opposition parties have tabled amendments that call on the government to honour its commitments made under the Kyoto Protocol. Harper has said that the Kyoto targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are not realistic.
The amendments call on the government to place hard caps on industrial emissions and develop a long-term plan that sets out targets for every five years starting in 2015.
On Tuesday, the Conservatives cancelled a committee meeting scheduled for this week on the bill. Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Environment Minister John Baird said the meeting was cancelled simply because the Conservatives have been busy preparing the federal budget, which was unveiled on Monday, and negotiating ecoTrust announcements with the provinces.
"Obviously, it's been a busy time," Baird said Tuesday. "One of the things we hadn't anticipated is that a lot of work has had to go on environmentally that we hadn't anticipated."
But NDP MP Nathan Cullen, a committee member, said the Conservatives cancelled the meeting because they did not want to be in a position where they were voting against opposition amendments that would take real steps to protect the environment from industrial pollution.
"They didn't want the Canadian public seeing them voting against it," he said.
'Dead on arrival'
Liberal MP David McGuinty, another committee member, said the government has to accept the fact that the bill is being taken apart and put back together again in a completely different form than its original version.
"It was dead on arrival," he said. "Now we're going to put Humpty Dumpty together in a form that's different from what it looked like from the beginning."
The opposition parties hold the majority of votes on the committee, which means the amendments will likely be included in the bill when it returns to the House of Commons.
Under the first reading version of the bill, there was no mention of Kyoto and there were no hard caps on greenhouse gas emissions until 2020 or 2025, but the government would seek to cut emissions by 45 to 65 per cent by 2050.
The bill did not set short-term targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions and its emissions regulations on large polluters would not take effect until 2010.
Under Kyoto, the previous Liberal government pledged that Canada would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by the five-year commitment period of 2008 to 2012.
The committee, officially known as the legislative committee on Bill C-30, must report back to the House of Commons by March 30.
With files from the Canadian Press
Clean Air Act puts Tories in hot spot as MPs propose changes
Report says speculation is growing that bill could trigger election
A special House of Commons committee has until the end of March to rewrite the Clean Air Act and opposition MPs say the Conservatives are slowing down the process.
According to a news report by CP, the bill could lead to an election call if Prime Minister Stephen Harper decides the bill is a matter of confidence and his minority government loses a vote on opposition amendments.
All three opposition parties have tabled amendments that call on the government to honour its commitments made under the Kyoto Protocol. Harper has said that the Kyoto targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are not realistic.
The amendments call on the government to place hard caps on industrial emissions and develop a long-term plan that sets out targets for every five years starting in 2015.
On Tuesday, the Conservatives cancelled a committee meeting scheduled for this week on the bill. Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Environment Minister John Baird said the meeting was cancelled simply because the Conservatives have been busy preparing the federal budget, which was unveiled on Monday, and negotiating ecoTrust announcements with the provinces.
"Obviously, it's been a busy time," Baird said Tuesday. "One of the things we hadn't anticipated is that a lot of work has had to go on environmentally that we hadn't anticipated."
But NDP MP Nathan Cullen, a committee member, said the Conservatives cancelled the meeting because they did not want to be in a position where they were voting against opposition amendments that would take real steps to protect the environment from industrial pollution.
"They didn't want the Canadian public seeing them voting against it," he said.
'Dead on arrival'
Liberal MP David McGuinty, another committee member, said the government has to accept the fact that the bill is being taken apart and put back together again in a completely different form than its original version.
"It was dead on arrival," he said. "Now we're going to put Humpty Dumpty together in a form that's different from what it looked like from the beginning."
The opposition parties hold the majority of votes on the committee, which means the amendments will likely be included in the bill when it returns to the House of Commons.
Under the first reading version of the bill, there was no mention of Kyoto and there were no hard caps on greenhouse gas emissions until 2020 or 2025, but the government would seek to cut emissions by 45 to 65 per cent by 2050.
The bill did not set short-term targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions and its emissions regulations on large polluters would not take effect until 2010.
Under Kyoto, the previous Liberal government pledged that Canada would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by the five-year commitment period of 2008 to 2012.
The committee, officially known as the legislative committee on Bill C-30, must report back to the House of Commons by March 30.
With files from the Canadian Press
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Green groups criticize budget
At least some of the proposals are sensible particularly doing away with the generous tax incentives for Oil Sands development.
'Green' budget falls short for environmental groups
Last Updated: Monday, March 19, 2007 | 8:33 PM ET
CBC News
The federal budget's $4.5 billion in environmental spending on green cars, clean water and renewable fuels didn't impress opposition parties and did little to ease the concerns of environmental groups.
"Today we act to improve our environment," Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said while introducing the budget.
While the budget represents a change in Conservative policy on "green" spending, opposition parties criticized it for containing no mention of the Kyoto Protocol, and said it didn't amount to a significant change in government policy.
Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion said the new programs amounted to less than the $5.6 billion cut from environmental programs that were put in place by the previous Liberal government.
"They cut so much last year, they are recreating some programs, but it's not a plan," Dion said.
Green party Leader Elizabeth May called the budget a disappointment.
Continue Article
"This government hasn't changed its tune on the climate-change issue," May told CBC News.
"It's a repeat of the same target and that would mean climate disaster.
"They are reannouncing some of the Liberal programs with less money and less cohesion."
The government introduced a rebate of up to $2,000 for buying fuel-efficient vehicles, and a levy of up to $4,000 on gas-guzzling vehicles like SUVs and Hummers.
The government also plans to spend $36 million for a program to get old and inefficient vehicles off the road that will include incentives for car owners.
The total also includes:
$2 billion over seven years to aid in the production of renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel.
$250 million to conserve ecologically important lands and implement the Species at Risk Act.
The spending on biofuel research was praised by Barb Isman, president of the Canola Council of Canada, who said the announcement would be "good for the environment, good for farmers and good for the Canadian economy." Canola is used in the production of biofuels.
Oilsands industry takes a hit
The budget also included news that the Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance tax break for oilsands projects will be phased out by 2015.
The Canadian Coalition of Energy Trusts, which represents more than 40 energy trusts across the country, said the move will come as a major blow to the oilsands industry.
"Oilsands producers will be disappointed," said coalition spokeswoman Sue Riddell Rose. "This [tax break] for these very capital-intensive projects is a very significant component of the economic driver for doing the projects in the first place.
"So the large multibillion-dollar projects that we're seeing will have to be re-evaluated, almost for sure."
The tax break, which has saved the oilsands industry about $1.4 billion annually, was introduced by the former Liberal government in 1997, when the industry was considered experimental and in need of support.
Since 1997, the industry has expanded significantly.
In the mid-1990s, industry experts predicted the oilsands would produce a million barrels a day by 2020. The industry reached that target 16 years ahead of schedule, in 2004.
Environmental critics, concerned about greenhouse gas emissions produced by the oilsands, have attacked the federal government in recent years for giving a tax break to an industry that seems to be thriving.
Total greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta have increased by 39.4 per cent between 1990 and 2004, from 168.17 megatons in 1990 to 234.51 megatons in 2004, according to Environment Canada.
Previous budget cut green programs
Also mentioned in the budget were $1.5 billion in previously announced spending on federal-provincial research programs to help the provinces cut polluting emissions.
The new spending is a change in policy from last year's budget, which included cuts to environmental programs and few new programs, other than a tax credit for users of public transit.
Environmental groups said the budget didn't contain the substantial changes needed to address climate change, particularly in light of recent studies that have tied man-made greenhouse gases to rising global temperatures and sea levels.
"The government is basically ignoring the climate crisis," said John Bennett of the Climate Action Network.
Greenpeace Canada spokesman Steven Guilbeault said the government "is clearly failing Canadians."
Aaron Freeman of Environmental Defence praised the idea of a national water strategy but said most of the $400,000 earmarked for the program will go towards six new coast guard vessels.
The budget also contained no mention of the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement that requires Canada to cut greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by 2012.
Canada's stand on its Kyoto obligations may be addressed later this month, when Environment Minister John Baird is expected to introduce a climate-change policy paper.
With files from the Canadian Press
'Green' budget falls short for environmental groups
Last Updated: Monday, March 19, 2007 | 8:33 PM ET
CBC News
The federal budget's $4.5 billion in environmental spending on green cars, clean water and renewable fuels didn't impress opposition parties and did little to ease the concerns of environmental groups.
"Today we act to improve our environment," Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said while introducing the budget.
While the budget represents a change in Conservative policy on "green" spending, opposition parties criticized it for containing no mention of the Kyoto Protocol, and said it didn't amount to a significant change in government policy.
Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion said the new programs amounted to less than the $5.6 billion cut from environmental programs that were put in place by the previous Liberal government.
"They cut so much last year, they are recreating some programs, but it's not a plan," Dion said.
Green party Leader Elizabeth May called the budget a disappointment.
Continue Article
"This government hasn't changed its tune on the climate-change issue," May told CBC News.
"It's a repeat of the same target and that would mean climate disaster.
"They are reannouncing some of the Liberal programs with less money and less cohesion."
The government introduced a rebate of up to $2,000 for buying fuel-efficient vehicles, and a levy of up to $4,000 on gas-guzzling vehicles like SUVs and Hummers.
The government also plans to spend $36 million for a program to get old and inefficient vehicles off the road that will include incentives for car owners.
The total also includes:
$2 billion over seven years to aid in the production of renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel.
$250 million to conserve ecologically important lands and implement the Species at Risk Act.
The spending on biofuel research was praised by Barb Isman, president of the Canola Council of Canada, who said the announcement would be "good for the environment, good for farmers and good for the Canadian economy." Canola is used in the production of biofuels.
Oilsands industry takes a hit
The budget also included news that the Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance tax break for oilsands projects will be phased out by 2015.
The Canadian Coalition of Energy Trusts, which represents more than 40 energy trusts across the country, said the move will come as a major blow to the oilsands industry.
"Oilsands producers will be disappointed," said coalition spokeswoman Sue Riddell Rose. "This [tax break] for these very capital-intensive projects is a very significant component of the economic driver for doing the projects in the first place.
"So the large multibillion-dollar projects that we're seeing will have to be re-evaluated, almost for sure."
The tax break, which has saved the oilsands industry about $1.4 billion annually, was introduced by the former Liberal government in 1997, when the industry was considered experimental and in need of support.
Since 1997, the industry has expanded significantly.
In the mid-1990s, industry experts predicted the oilsands would produce a million barrels a day by 2020. The industry reached that target 16 years ahead of schedule, in 2004.
Environmental critics, concerned about greenhouse gas emissions produced by the oilsands, have attacked the federal government in recent years for giving a tax break to an industry that seems to be thriving.
Total greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta have increased by 39.4 per cent between 1990 and 2004, from 168.17 megatons in 1990 to 234.51 megatons in 2004, according to Environment Canada.
Previous budget cut green programs
Also mentioned in the budget were $1.5 billion in previously announced spending on federal-provincial research programs to help the provinces cut polluting emissions.
The new spending is a change in policy from last year's budget, which included cuts to environmental programs and few new programs, other than a tax credit for users of public transit.
Environmental groups said the budget didn't contain the substantial changes needed to address climate change, particularly in light of recent studies that have tied man-made greenhouse gases to rising global temperatures and sea levels.
"The government is basically ignoring the climate crisis," said John Bennett of the Climate Action Network.
Greenpeace Canada spokesman Steven Guilbeault said the government "is clearly failing Canadians."
Aaron Freeman of Environmental Defence praised the idea of a national water strategy but said most of the $400,000 earmarked for the program will go towards six new coast guard vessels.
The budget also contained no mention of the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement that requires Canada to cut greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by 2012.
Canada's stand on its Kyoto obligations may be addressed later this month, when Environment Minister John Baird is expected to introduce a climate-change policy paper.
With files from the Canadian Press
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Harper : Green Lite?
I think that Harper's policy has a rather low level of green in it--probably about equal to the Liberal brew if not less. However, everyone is going green in rhetoric and at least Harper is doing something concrete. He steadfastly refuses to set short term emissions caps though at least so far. I wonder why Campbell is supposedly the greenest premier given Quebec has even tougher targets.
Harper tries to match B.C.'s deep green
Ottawa will spend $200-million to cut greenhouse gases and pollution
ROD MICKLEBURGH
With a report from Patrick Brethour
VANCOUVER -- With Canada's greenest premier standing beside him, Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday maintained his steadfast opposition to short-term concrete targets to reduce greenhouse gases.
"We believe the key to [environmental progress] is long-term technological innovation. That's the way to do it," Mr. Harper declared after announcing a $200-million grant to British Columbia for projects aimed at reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
"What the government will not consider is short-term damage to the economy or shutting down the economy in the short run to meet targets," he said.
Standing next to the Prime Minister was B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, whose government has set the toughest targets in the country to cut greenhouse gases, although it will not try to match Quebec's goal of meeting targets laid out by the Kyoto Accord for 2012.
With his reluctance to embrace specific, more immediate reductions in greenhouse gases, Mr. Harper is rapidly being left behind by other political leaders.
Only hours before yesterday's news conference here, British Prime Minister Tony Blair became the latest to get onto the green bandwagon, introducing legislation to reduce emissions by up to 32 per cent of 1990 levels by 2020.
Mr. Campbell declined to step into the controversy over the federal Conservatives' apparent dislike of concrete targets.
"That's up to the Prime Minister," he said. "In British Columbia, we are trying to focus people's attention on targets that will actually succeed.
"By doing that, we can build momentum and I believe we will surprise everybody."
Without mentioning the federal government specifically, Mr. Campbell said he hoped B.C.'s plan to combat global warming will be "a model that others will follow."
B.C. has pledged a 10-per-cent cut in the 1990 level of greenhouse-gas emissions in the province by 2020, an overall reduction of 33 per cent.
Mr. Harper said his government will set new greenhouse-gas emission targets within the next month, including a compulsory, regulatory requirement for industry.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Canada campus building at the University of B.C., his fourth stop on a cross-Canada journey to dole out provincial allocations, based on population, from Ottawa's $1.5-billion Canada EcoTrust fund.
The $200-million for B.C. will go toward emission-reduction projects, such as capturing biogas from landfill sites, providing clean electricity to remote rural areas and development of a network of hydrogen fuelling stations, along a so-called "hydrogen highway" for vehicles powered by fuel cells.
The Prime Minister did not touch on complaints from Ecotrust Canada, a well-known non-profit environmental organization, that the title of the Conservatives' program -- Canada EcoTrust -- infringes on their long-established name.
However, Ecotrust Canada founding chairwoman Jacqueline Koerner, who showed up for the announcement, said she was approached privately by someone from the Prime Minister's Office and promised a meeting with Mr. Baird.
"At first, I thought I was going to be removed, but I was then pleased it led to a very different result," Ms. Koerner said.
Meanwhile, just before Mr. Harper took the stage, the group of burly security officers that regularly accompany the Prime Minister was pressed into action to prevent a lone protester from nearing the area of the event.
The unidentified man squirmed, and screamed something about a "two-year cover-up", as officers wrestled him to the ground and, with difficulty, handcuffed him.
The man was whisked from the scene in a police car without ever coming near the Prime Minister.
Speaking only a few blocks away, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion said Mr. Harper is simply recycling Liberal policies that he scrapped a year ago.
Contradicting the Prime Minister's assertion that the EcoTrust program is new money, Mr. Dion said the Conservative government is in fact cutting in half the amount of cash that the Liberals would have spent.
Yesterday's announcement on climate change is part of a wider "con job" in which the Tories have slashed cash for programs, then partly restored it and claimed they were launching new initiatives, Mr. Dion said during a morning speech.
Harper tries to match B.C.'s deep green
Ottawa will spend $200-million to cut greenhouse gases and pollution
ROD MICKLEBURGH
With a report from Patrick Brethour
VANCOUVER -- With Canada's greenest premier standing beside him, Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday maintained his steadfast opposition to short-term concrete targets to reduce greenhouse gases.
"We believe the key to [environmental progress] is long-term technological innovation. That's the way to do it," Mr. Harper declared after announcing a $200-million grant to British Columbia for projects aimed at reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
"What the government will not consider is short-term damage to the economy or shutting down the economy in the short run to meet targets," he said.
Standing next to the Prime Minister was B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, whose government has set the toughest targets in the country to cut greenhouse gases, although it will not try to match Quebec's goal of meeting targets laid out by the Kyoto Accord for 2012.
With his reluctance to embrace specific, more immediate reductions in greenhouse gases, Mr. Harper is rapidly being left behind by other political leaders.
Only hours before yesterday's news conference here, British Prime Minister Tony Blair became the latest to get onto the green bandwagon, introducing legislation to reduce emissions by up to 32 per cent of 1990 levels by 2020.
Mr. Campbell declined to step into the controversy over the federal Conservatives' apparent dislike of concrete targets.
"That's up to the Prime Minister," he said. "In British Columbia, we are trying to focus people's attention on targets that will actually succeed.
"By doing that, we can build momentum and I believe we will surprise everybody."
Without mentioning the federal government specifically, Mr. Campbell said he hoped B.C.'s plan to combat global warming will be "a model that others will follow."
B.C. has pledged a 10-per-cent cut in the 1990 level of greenhouse-gas emissions in the province by 2020, an overall reduction of 33 per cent.
Mr. Harper said his government will set new greenhouse-gas emission targets within the next month, including a compulsory, regulatory requirement for industry.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Canada campus building at the University of B.C., his fourth stop on a cross-Canada journey to dole out provincial allocations, based on population, from Ottawa's $1.5-billion Canada EcoTrust fund.
The $200-million for B.C. will go toward emission-reduction projects, such as capturing biogas from landfill sites, providing clean electricity to remote rural areas and development of a network of hydrogen fuelling stations, along a so-called "hydrogen highway" for vehicles powered by fuel cells.
The Prime Minister did not touch on complaints from Ecotrust Canada, a well-known non-profit environmental organization, that the title of the Conservatives' program -- Canada EcoTrust -- infringes on their long-established name.
However, Ecotrust Canada founding chairwoman Jacqueline Koerner, who showed up for the announcement, said she was approached privately by someone from the Prime Minister's Office and promised a meeting with Mr. Baird.
"At first, I thought I was going to be removed, but I was then pleased it led to a very different result," Ms. Koerner said.
Meanwhile, just before Mr. Harper took the stage, the group of burly security officers that regularly accompany the Prime Minister was pressed into action to prevent a lone protester from nearing the area of the event.
The unidentified man squirmed, and screamed something about a "two-year cover-up", as officers wrestled him to the ground and, with difficulty, handcuffed him.
The man was whisked from the scene in a police car without ever coming near the Prime Minister.
Speaking only a few blocks away, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion said Mr. Harper is simply recycling Liberal policies that he scrapped a year ago.
Contradicting the Prime Minister's assertion that the EcoTrust program is new money, Mr. Dion said the Conservative government is in fact cutting in half the amount of cash that the Liberals would have spent.
Yesterday's announcement on climate change is part of a wider "con job" in which the Tories have slashed cash for programs, then partly restored it and claimed they were launching new initiatives, Mr. Dion said during a morning speech.
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