Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

Apparently, our environment isn’t the only thing heating up these days. So too is the level of chatter at provincial and federal government levels as politicians wade into an issue which recently leap-frogged health as the number one issue of importance among Canadians. One of the first provinces to take a stand on is the B.C. government, which came forward last week by unveiling an aggressive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a bare bones minimum of 33 per cent below today’s levels by 2020 or 10 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020. By comparison, under the Kyoto accord, Canada is committed to a six per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2012. B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell’s new tail pipe emission standards for all new vehicles sold in the province will be phased in from 2009 to 2016. The standards will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 per cent for some vehicles. As well, as of this month all new cars leased by the government will be hybrid vehicles, she said. So, what are the feds doing, you ask? Well, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is attempting to nip the issue in the bud by unveiling his Canada Eco-Trust and Clean Air Fund plan. Details of how the new fund will be spent have yet to be released, but the proposed cash will be divided on a per capita basis among provinces, aimed at projects that have concrete reductions in air pollutants. The Conservative government has also announced it will provide up to $36 million to help consumers choose more environmentally friendly vehicles. The funding includes $21 million to encourage consumers to invest in green vehicles currently on the market by providing information on fuel consumption and other tools such as vehicle labels, guides and websites. It also includes up to $15 million for buying, testing and showcasing a range of fuel-efficient technologies, such as hydrogen, electric, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. Another component of the Tory plan will see the government sit down with Canada’s automakers to discuss increased regulations in the industry. It’s all part of Harper’s long-term vision to push for tougher regulations on Canadian vehicles, emphasizing they are coming as part of his government’s accelerated drive to reduce the gases that cause climate change. The Tories say they plan to work with the industry to help achieve the 5.3-megatonne reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions from light-duty vehicles in Canada. The industry has agreed to pursue that target voluntarily until 2010, after which new fuel consumption regulations will come into effect for the 2011 model year. But that’s not all the government is doing. They’ve also announced a last ditch effort to effectively kill the former Liberal bill requiring the country to respect Canada’s Kyoto commitments. The government calls those targets – a six per cent drop from 1990 levels – unattainable and dangerous to the economy. Instead, our government is working on a alternate plan to clean up our fragile environment, which involves spending upwards of $1.5 billion to support provincial green initiatives in addition to offering tax credits for public transit users and created renewable fuels initiatives. The Tories planned an appeal to the Speaker of the House of Commons last week to declare it invalid, arguing the bill – which is supported by all opposition parties – would force the government to spend money against its will. That argument, however, fell on deaf ears after the Liberal bill was voted on and approved. The vote is setting the stage for a potential showdown between opposition parties and the minority government, which appears anything but willing to follow through with the majority wishes of the house. So much for democracy!

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