OTTAWA, ON — The
Pembina Institute's Clare Demerse made the following statement in response to
today's release of the Liberal Party platform:
"Overall, we're happy to see this platform put clean energy at the
centre of Canada's economic future. While countries such as China and the U.S.
are taking steps to succeed in the clean energy economy, Canada has been
lagging behind. Strong action on climate change can create more jobs than 'business
as usual,' so the Liberal Party's decision to make clean energy a priority
would be good news for Canadian workers and for the environment.
"While Michael Ignatieff's platform takes important steps to make that
clean energy transformation a reality, it also leaves some gaps."
On renewable energy
and efficiency
"We're pleased to see the platform's emphasis on renewable energy and
energy efficiency, both of which provide economic opportunity along with
environmental benefits. A long-term reinvestment in home energy retrofits would
create market predictability, which is important for the businesses that
provide these services.
"The platform also promises new federal support for
renewable energy and sets a goal of quadrupling clean energy production by
2017. Both of these actions would help to create some market stability for
investments in renewable energy in Canada."
On climate change
"A price on greenhouse gas pollution needs to be the centrepiece of
any effective Canadian plan to tackle climate change, and is widely supported
by industry. This platform meets that test by proposing a cap-and-trade system
that would make polluters pay for their allowances — an important design
element that strengthens the proposal. Unfortunately, the platform does not
specify how quickly the system would go into effect.
"In addition, the platform
does not outline the party's approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to
meet or beat Canada's current 2020 target, nor does it dedicate funding to
tackling climate change in poorer countries. We support the proposal to
establish science-based mid-term targets by drawing on the expertise of the
National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy."
On oilsands
development
"Economists are clear — there is no need for preferential federal tax
treatment for the oilsands. That means the Liberal plan to immediately end one
oilsands subsidy, and redirect support to oilsands environmental measures, is a
positive move.
"While the Liberals' commitment to increase federal oversight of
oilsands development is a much-needed step, there are few details in this
platform about how a Liberal government would effectively address the environmental
impacts of oilsands development."
On sustainable
transportation
"With this platform, the Liberal Party outlined some worthwhile
principles on transit, but missed an opportunity to make tangible commitments
to support cleaner transportation across Canada. Better public transit systems
offer a real opportunity to improve our cities and create new jobs in
manufacturing and infrastructure, but we won't reap these benefits without increased
federal investment."
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The Institute's criteria for evaluating campaign pledges
related to climate change, oilsands, renewable energy, energy efficiency and
sustainable transportation are outlined in the backgrounder "Federal Election 2011: a
checklist for clean energy success."
Spokesperson:
Clare Demerse
Cell: 613-762-7449
Twitter: @ClareDemerse
Languages: English, français
Time zone: Eastern
Alternate media contact:
Julia Kilpatrick
Media Manager
Cell: 613-265-5579
Twitter: @Pembina
Languages: English, français
Time zone: Eastern
