OTTAWA –It’s one step forward, two steps back for the Harper government after they announced auto emission controls while at the same time eliminating the popular ecoENERGY Retrofit Homes program and gutting environmental assessment laws, Liberal MPs said today.
“After more than four years of inaction and embarrassing us on the world stage, the Harper government finally makes a move to match fuel emission standards with that of the U.S. – but only to distract Canadians from the fact that they’re losing one of the most successful energy efficiency programs this country has ever seen,” Liberal Environment Critic David McGuinty.
“They’re also trying to distract from their sneaky attempt to gut environmental assessment law by hiding new rules in the budget legislation. At a time when the rest of the world has or is getting serious about implementing policies that enhance environmental integrity, this government continues to play games.”
Today Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced an improvement in fuel efficiency standards that match American auto emissions – something he first announced almost a year ago.
This comes after yesterday’s late-in-the-day cut to the popular ecoENERGY program that allowed Canadians to receive a rebate for greening their homes using energy efficient products and services. Experts agree that improved energy efficiency can make the biggest contribution to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
“The popularity of this program was proof that Canadians want to get serious about energy efficiency and renewable energy,” said Liberal Natural Resources Critic Geoff Regan. “Mr. Harper is cancelling the one program that helps homeowners make clean energy choices. And this is after his government has already gutted pretty much every other clean energy program.
“This is not only taking money away from homeowners who want to green their homes, but it’s also taking well-paying jobs away from Canadians. This is not the direction we need to be going,” he said.
Also yesterday it was learned that the Conservatives’ budget bill buried significant amendments to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) that would give the environment minister power to exclude thousands of projects from having to undergo a comprehensive review of their overall impact on ecosystems.
“We agree that the environmental assessment process can be improved, but too much authority to the minister would politicize decisions and could create a patchwork of standards across the country,” Mr. McGuinty said. “And this comes only weeks before a Parliamentary committee begins a mandatory review of the Act. This displays an utter disregard for the democratic process.”
At last weekend’s Canada at 150 conference, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff outlined his plan for strengthening Canada’s economy through clean energy innovation. Investments in new technologies today will help protect our environment while also creating high-paying jobs for Canadians.
