Friday, October 27, 2006
NDP condemns Conservatives’ hot air plan - Thursday October 19, 2006
Hold your breath Canada! Pollution will go up, not down under Harper's plan
OTTAWA – Today, with the tabling of the Conservative government’s Clean Air Act, Canadians' worst fears were confirmed. The Conservatives' made-in-Washington green plan means it will be years before any action will be taken to reduce pollution and halt climate change.
“Under Harper’s plan pollution will go up, not down. Canadians have already waited long enough for a clean environment, they shouldn’t have to wait any longer,” said the NDP’s Environment critic Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley).
The proposed act outlines no clear targets or timelines for reducing greenhouse gases, instead offering more delays and consultations.
“Canadians want to be able to breathe clean air but Harper is saying: ‘hold your breath Canada.’ His plan means we’re going to wait 5 more years before anything gets done,” said Cullen.
“The Conservatives are continuing to let big industrial polluters off the hook and are taking a pass on introducing stronger auto emission standards. Canadians want a government that is on their side but Harper is clearly on the side of the big polluters,” declared NDP Caucus Environment Committee co-chair Denise Savoie (Victoria).
Cullen also expressed personal disappointment in the Environment Minister.
“Rona Ambrose is the latest in a long line of Environment Ministers that have been totally ineffective at the cabinet table. She said she had a plan. That just isn’t true. History will remember that those who had the power to really clean up the air we breath chose to abdicate their responsibility in the face of pressure from big oil and industrial polluters,” concluded Cullen.
New Democrats have already set out minimum guidelines necessary to halt climate change:
- Get tough on smog and greenhouse gas producing pollutants. Set a target to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 80% by 2050
- End subsidies to the oil and gas industry
- Consider a moratorium on oil sands development until environmental concerns about the production of massive amounts of carbon emissions are addressed
- Support for an East-West power grid, as part of a Canada wide energy strategy
- Ban the worst toxic chemicals
- Encourage green investment, including urban transit and retrofits for all types of buildings, including low-income housing
# posted by Francis Chartrand @ 1:30 PM 
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