OTTAWA, ON — The
Pembina Institute's Clare Demerse made
the following statement in response to today's launch of the Green Party's campaign
platform:
"The Green Party puts tackling climate change at the heart of its platform. The
result is a commitment to a suite of strong policies to cut greenhouse gas
pollution, along with national emission reduction targets based on up-to-date
climate science. More clearly than any of the other parties have to date, the
Green Party's platform makes the case for urgent action to prevent dangerous global
warming.
"Putting
a price on greenhouse gas pollution is a litmus test of any serious climate
policy for Canada. The Green Party proposes an immediate carbon tax of $50 a
tonne, an initial level that our research shows is aligned with making
significant cuts to Canada's emissions. The party also proposes a cap-and-trade
system for industrial emissions and an end to fossil fuel subsidies — all of
which would add up to give businesses and Canadians a real incentive to make greener
choices.
"In
addition to the platform's emphasis on sustainable transportation, especially
regional and local rail, we're pleased to see a dedicated initiative for energy
efficiency upgrades in low-income housing. This group of Canadians is hit the
hardest by energy costs, and has the least means available to them to invest in
energy efficiency upgrades.
"The
Green Party also plans to increase ecoENERGY home retrofit grants by 50 per
cent. This program has had success to date, but is in need of review to ensure
it targets high-value investments. It is not clear that simply increasing the
rebate will necessarily incent further investments on the part of homeowners or
keep this program sustainable in the long term.
"The
platform recognizes an important federal role in supporting the deployment of
renewable energy in Canada, and commits to take steps to end the construction
of new coal plants in Canada."
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Note: The Pembina Institute's comments on the
Green Party's platform include its detailed 2010 policy document, entitled
"Vision Green."
Contact:
Clare Demerse (English / français)
Acting Director, Climate Change, Pembina Institute
Cell: 613-762-7449
Phone: 613-216-1976 ext 24
Julia Kilpatrick (English / français)
Media Manager, Pembina Institute
Cell: 613-265-5579
Phone: 613-216-1976 ext 30
