Posted on 04/14/2005 8:14:33 AM PDT by doc30
$10-billion Kyoto plan tabled in Parliament
Wednesday, April 13, 2005 Updated at 4:37 PM EST Canadian Press and Globe and Mail Update
The Liberal government finally revealed Wednesday its plan to meet Kyoto targets -- spending approximately $10-billion over the next seven years.
The plan requires annual reductions of 270 million tonnes a year within the next seven years, as reported by The Globe and Mail last month.
However, it does not specify how much of that will be obtained by cutting actual pollution and how much by purchasing emissions credits from poor countries.
The plan calls on large emitters to cut emissions by 36 megatonnes, substantially less than the 55 megatonnes called for in the original Kyoto plan.
Morag Carter, the Director of the Climate Change Program at the David Suzuki Foundation pointed out that the plan means the average Canadian will bear the brunt of cutting emissions.
"With our calculations, 74 per cent of targets will be achieved through individual contributions to cut emissions but Canadians are only responsible for 23 per cent of emissions," Ms. Carter told globeandmail.com.
The plan's centrepiece is a $1-billion Climate Fund, which could be increased to up to $5-billion in coming years. It would be used to fund emissions-cutting projects.
The plan is intended to "mobilize Canadians in a national effort" to create a low-carbon economy, and will require frequent revision as times goes on, officials said.
Some environmentalists were highly critical.
"There are significant problems with the plan," Ms. Carter said. "There are no details of how the milestones will be met and there is an absence of instruments in measuring success."
Dale Marshall, of the David Suzuki Foundation, told the Canadian Press that there is "a really disturbing lack of detail" in much of the plan.
"One of the major flaws of the plan is the weak targets for industry which puts an incredible burden on the rest of the Canadian economy," he said.
The details on cost estimates and implementation were revealed Wednesday afternoon by Environment Minister Stéphane Dion, Natural Resources Minister John Efford and Industry Minister David Emerson.
The opposition parties have criticized the Liberals for delaying the announcement, considering that the Kyoto accord took effect nearly two months ago.
Canada signed the agreement, which commits 55 nations, in 2002.
A main component of the plan is to replace coal-fired generating plants with cleaner electricity sources.
It also includes cuts in greenhouse-gas emissions by using new technologies that capture carbon dioxide that would otherwise escape during petroleum production.
Matthew Branley, the director of climate change for the Pembina Institute, spoke to CBC Newsworld on Wednesday about the plan.
"Essentially what the government is expected to announce is it's going to be spending money to essentially purchase emission reductions ... and also through purchasing international credits," said Mr. Branley, a critic of the Kyoto plan.
"Because Canada really has wasted so much time since the Kyoto conference — more than seven years now, our emissions are still rising. We're going to have to make substantial use of purchases of international credits to meet our targets as well."
Kyoto = Slowly freezing to death in the dark.
Kyoto has nothing to do with emissions. It's a tax on wealthy nations paid to poor nations.
Who says they aren't religious.
They are buying indulgences like were sold during Martin Luther's time.
Hey Canada, I have some emmission credits I'd be happy to sell you!!!!
Canada has a population of 30 million people - they will spend $10 billion or more per year - you do the math.
SUCKERS!
Those who vote for the libs ... yes.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Can you imagine how much it will costs this nation if ratified the Kyoto treaty??
That is right!! I hate Children.. I have them for breakfast everyday!!!
All kidding aside, I feel terribly for Canadians for having to put up with this nonsense.
I wonder if it's beginning to dawn on those suckers why we didn't agree to Kyoto?
That's why Canada sign onto Kyoto. In Canadian politics, you never, ever do something the way Anerica does it, regardless of cost. Canadian identity is to be not American. Kyoto will never, ever be rejected. People's emotions get in the way of their judgement on issues like this.
Sure, you're right. But the Canadians were so naive. Almost every signatory got some kind of concession or dodge to ease compliance, except Canada which so far as I can tell gets to pay full retail.
Naivete is a cultural trait of Canada as is subservience and timidity. But Canadians are more interested in APPEARING to make a difference in the world than actually doing it. That's why Canada is so gung-ho on UN peacekeeping. The can brag about belonging without having to spend the $$$ and lives to actually make a difference. Same with Kyoto. Canadians are hoping that it will eliminate CO2 without having to suffer lifestyle wise. They plan on buying emissions credits on the Chicago Climate Exchange using that $10 billion. www.chicagoclimatex.com (count on Americans to make a buck off of Canada's "moral values", haha)
Anyways, almost all gasoline taxes collected by the feds doesn't actually go to transportation spending, unlike the US. It goes into general fund. ($0.10/L + 7% GST or $0.31/Gallon US + 7% Goods and Services Tax)
They will probably call this scam, the enviromental tax before long.
In the trillions.
I believe in cleaner air and water, but this is not the answer...
I guess the good news is that Ontario's weather in future could be more like Mississippi's. They could rename it the Magnolia Province.
You mean piling $10 billion worth of paper emission credits on the alter of environmentalism won't stop global warming? Who knew?
I guess the good news is that Ontario's weather in future could be more like Mississippi's. They could rename it the Magnolia Province.
If that was true, then why would Canadians fight Global Warming? Canada has terribly cold weather. You have to experience it to really understand it. Canada is really a baffling place.
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