2007-04 (April)
BLAINE CALKINS MP REPORT
April 24, 2007
Real Action on the Environment
Kyoto, we’ve been hearing a lot about it for over a decade not just as a City in Japan, but because it was the site of the 1997 meeting on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In early 1998, Canada agreed to sign on to the Protocol that was negotiated at the Kyoto meetings calling for countries to reduce their level of greenhouse-gas emissions. Canada’s Liberal Government committed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 6 per cent below 1990 levels, starting in 2008 until 2012.
After the agreement was signed, the previous government did nothing to help Canada reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions. As a result of their inaction, Canada’s greenhouse-gas emissions increased steadily over the next 10 years bringing them to 35% above the Kyoto target. If we were to meet our target that starts in 2008, greenhouse-gas emissions would have to be reduced by an average of 33% each year of the Kyoto commitment period.
On Valentines’ Day, the Opposition Parties in the House of Commons joined together to pass a Liberal Private Member’s Bill (C-288) requiring the government to “ensure Canada meet its global climate change obligations under the Kyoto Protocol”. It passed Second reading in the Senate and is under review by the Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources. Environment Minister John Baird released a detailed economic impact report called, “The Cost of C-288 to Canadian Families and Business,” when he appeared before that Committee on April 19.
This analysis, which is supported by leading, independent economists, shows that the cost of implementing Bill C-288 would have a devastating impact on Canadian families, jobs and the economy.
The report shows that:
- 275,000 Canadians would lose their jobs by 2009
- the cost of electricity bills would jump by 50%
- the cost of filling up a car would jump by 60%
- the cost of heating a home by natural gas would double
Canada’s economy would shrink by over 4.2%. This represents a deep recession in 2008 and is comparable to the deepest recession since World War II, which Canadians faced in 1981-82.
Canada’s New Government is pursuing a more balanced approach to tackling greenhouse gases and climate change. Since coming to office, our government has invested over $9 billion to improve the environment. Our initiatives include financial incentives to drive environmentally-friendly vehicles; support for the growth of renewable energy sources like wind and tidal power; help for Canadians to improve the energy efficiency of their homes; and action on renewable fuels.
In the coming weeks, we will be taking action with mandatory emissions targets. You can be sure that we will follow a common sense approach that recognizes the need to act on the environment while protecting the economy and Canadian families. That is real, meaningful action on the environment -- action Canadians can count on.
For more information on the impact of meeting Canada's Kyoto Protocol targets, see the report: "The Cost of Bill C-288 to Canadian Families and Business" at www.ec.gc.ca or if you wish information on any federally related matters, please contact my Constituency office or web site: www.blainecalkinsmp.ca
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