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Reaction to the 2009 Federal Budget

The federal government had the means to implement a "green" stimulus plan and provide the foundations for a clean energy economy in its January 2009 budget. Unfortunately, the budget fell short.

The articles, reports and web sites listed below, provide post-budget reaction and (in reports released prior to the budget) show how it could have been done.

Click here to read Pre-Budget Recommendations

		Pembina Institute Dark Days for Green Energy in Canada "... Tuesday’s federal budget effectively ended the major federal support for new renewable energy development in Canada."
		Greenpeace Canada Harper wrong to support false energy solutions and underfund green economy "Greenpeace today condemned the Harper government for giving as much as $750 million dollars to nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage instead of investing those funds in the green economy Canada needs for the future."
		David Suzuki Foundation 2009 Federal Budget Analysis “Although this budget has some pockets of green spending, overall it represents a missed opportunity for the government to position Canada as a leader in the green economy of the future."
		Green Budget Coalition Green Budget Coalition Responds to Budget "The Green Budget Coalition is extremely disappointed that the budget tabled yesterday may jeopardize renewable energy investment in Canada. ... Not only did the budget not include any new support for renewable energy, it de facto let the major support mechanism for renewable electricity come to an end this year."
		Canadian Wind Energy Association Federal Budget Fails to Capitalize on Canada’s Green Energy Opportunity "Between now and 2020, it is projected that $1 trillion will be invested in wind energy globally, creating more than 1.75 million jobs. If Canada wishes to capture a growing portion of this rapidly expanding global economic opportunity, and is seeking to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of wind energy development, Parliament will need to take actions well beyond anything included in today’s federal budget".
		équiterre Le Canada rate son rendez-vous avec le xxie siècle « Ce budget est une aberration. C’est pire que le scénario catastrophe que nous avions imaginé. Ce gouvernement est incapable d’être proactif et d’adopter une vision moderne. »

Recommendations for a Green Economy
Pre-Budget Recommendations

		Pembina Institute Recommendations for an Economic Stimulus summarizes the need to emphasize a "surge" in green job creation and guide the private sector into a clean economy.
		David Suzuki Foundation A Green Economy Makes Cents
		Green Budget Coalition Meeting the Challenge Recommendations for Budget 2009
		Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Alternative Federal Budget Fiscal Stimulus Plan
		Canadian Renewable Energy Alliance Recommendations for Budget 2009 and Building a Green Economy Letter to federal Ministers Jim Flaherty and Lisa Raitt Creating Jobs and Economic Development through Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
		Power Up Canada The Green Economy Action Fund - A Federal/Provincial Economic Stimulus Package News Release - January 21, 2009: Former Prime Ministers call for Green Stimulus News Release - January 20, 2009: Over 850,000 Canadians Call For Focus on Green Jobs, Green Stimulus