Discussion: Tories & Climate Change

The Tories don't understand that Canadians want to live up to their international commitments. At least the opposition parties are getting it right this week:
Private Member's Bill

Did you see Rona Ambrose on Rick Mercer last year? He took her to a maple syrup farm, and she was terrified to tap a tree because she thought it would look bad for the Environment Minister to kill a tree. Took a lot of convincing before she would do it. Obviously not someone who spends much time in any "environment" other than "office". But don't worry. Remember she did say that Canada should address climate change in 50-100 years, even though she thinks it's too soon to get going right now.

They certainly don't act like a minority government but if Alberta has the highest GHG emissions per capita in the World (higher than the US) and they want to triple oil production.

Let's see here we remove coal from producing energy, cut down on natural gas and oil and replace with carbon free energy sources or carbon sources that are reneawble. We therefore meet our committment AND we have cleaner air. A no brainer. Oh and less energy use means less expenses so more money for a company. Again No brainer.

This 'made in Canada' approach is just a stall tactic to let the big oil companies get away with polluting the environment.

Because according the government climate change is not an issue. Why else would they remove the climate change web site from the government web site.

Yeah i saw that RMR (catch this weeks? Pretty funny!). She was definately horrified at the thought of tapping the tree, thought she needed to contact someone first to make sure its O.K. That's what happens i guess when you put a person with bachelor and masters of Arts in a Environment position. Not knocking the arts but realistically here you want people educated in science/environment in these types of positions for good decision making.

The debate was starting to heat up with the NDP guy when they did a switch-aroo on the news. Too bad, i wanted to see how she would hold up against the heat. I guess it boils down to the substance in their proposed environmental legistation. So far all i've heard today is tax credits for commuting, renewable fuels increases, and possibly reducing 1.2 MT of carbon (yearly? what time span?) due to the above for climate change. Is that enough? Is that their plan? The Tory's have stated they want to go beyond Kyoto (as in be better), but i can't see how that is possible by not committing or at least try to meet emission standards sets even though it may be a lofty goal at this point. They have been so secretive on thier action plan which makes you wonder if they have a plan in place at all.

They don't have a plan since they don't believe climate change is a problem. But Stockwell Day still thinks humans and dinosaurs co-existed so....

And wasn't Harper who said to some extent that there was no scientific evidence that the climate is changing? However Ambrose believes its a big problem. Conflicting internal thinking in that party...they're trying to gain a stronghold in QC by addressing climate in hopes to gain majority in the future i think. There is definately underlying agendas here.

It was Ralph Klein who said there was no scientific evidence for climate change, but he now admits he didn't know what he was saying.

Ambrose used to work in my department here, down the hall before getting elected as an MP. The fact that she has a BA and MA and not in science, no problem, it's not going to be her doing the hard science. I have bigger concerns with a retired Col. as our defense minister.

I'm pretty surprised that both the Liberals and senior Environment Canada officials in general have come off pretty easy on this.

They can act like a majority gov as long as the opposition parties let them. After Ignatieff is elected then the they can start playing hard-ball.

And Albertans know they are screwed concerning this in the future, and it will come soon. The front runner for the premier's position has talked alot about putting money into alternative energy sources as well as really slowing down Fort Mac.

Why was MacGuinty so opposed to the auto regulations?

I can understand Meridian having time to chat on attackpoint but doesn't everyone else work ever?

Regulating the auto indistry in Ontario isn't an environmental issue at all - it's an economic one. In order for it to be supported by any sensible government it would have to encourage investment, create jobs and reduce emmisions as a happy byproduct of the above. If you regulate the auto industry in Ontario any more than it already is McG, or any Premier, is afraid that it will keep investors out. Right now we're perfect - good workforce, great healthcare benefits, gigantic subsidies and minimal env. regulations. To add strict env. controls to cars = increasing the cost of building them here in Ontario which means the auto makers can threaten to build them somewhere else. Auto assembly is still one of the biggest industries and employers in ontario and is an economic bellweather. Clean air, yay, but no one will care if they don't have a job, or so the thinking goes. And all this without getting into the power of the unions involved.