Goldring challenges NDP bill

October 22, 2009

Ottawa – The only way to meet environmental targets proposed by an NDP Private Members’ Bill before Parliament would be to kill tens of thousands of Canadian jobs, Edmonton East Member of Parliament Peter Goldring says.

Bill C-311 calls for Canada to reduce greenhouse gas emission levels by 25% below 1990 levels by 2020, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, which Mr. Goldring says is completely unfeasible given Canada’s energy needs.

At a meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development Mr. Goldring pointed out that the Bill “would be one of the most ambitious attempts by any developed country to reduce emissions, and doesn’t take into account that Canada is growing both in terms of its population and its industries, and has a winter climate.”

In light of there being no costing analysis with the bill, Mr. Goldring asked the rhetorical question whether the only way to achieve the NDP target would be to follow through on NDP leader Jack Layton’s suggestion during the 2008 election campaign to shut down the Fort McMurray oil sands development. Such a shutdown would mean the elimination of tens of thousands of jobs.

“The Government of Canada already has a plan in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that is a vast improvement over the former Liberal government’s complete lack of program.

“Our government’s plan is balanced, affordable and achievable, complete with absolutes. This includes a 10% reduction below 2006 levels by 2020 and a further 60-70% reduction by 2050.”

Mr. Goldring notes that Canada has been making progress on tail pipe emissions, on aviation standards, on regulations surrounding carbon capture and storage and a smart grid for North American electricity as well as a North American approach to cap and trade. The government is committed to a climate change plan in partnership with our international trading partners which must include our economic realities.

“On the other hand we have the Bloc, the Liberals and the NDP, who would force Canada to diverge from the very similar targets that our government and President Obama have identified,” Mr. Goldring notes. “We are committed to reaching a real climate change plan guided by four key principles:

1. Balance environmental protection and economic prosperity;
2. Maintain a long-term focus;
3. Focus on developing and deploying clean technologies;
4. And engage all major emitters.

Bill C-311 just doesn’t make sense.”