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For release: January 17, 2008

Federal Government Must Act to Protect Canadians from Car Pollution

Ottawa - The Climate Action Network Canada-Réseau action climat Canada is calling on the Government of Canada to deliver on its promise to “maximize the environmental and economic benefits” for Canadians when it sets new federal fuel efficiency standards for cars this spring.

In a press conference earlier today, Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon announced the government’s intention to implement a “Made-in-Canada” fuel efficiency standard for cars following a 60-day consultation process. The government signalled its support of the new U.S. federal fuel efficiency standard, but a final decision on the Canadian standard will be announced after the consultations conclude.

“California’s standards should be the minimum for Canada, and the government missed an opportunity to sign on to them today,” said John Bennett, climateforchange.ca. “If the government truly wants to ‘maximize’ the benefits for Canadians, the weaker U.S. federal standards just won’t do it. Choosing them would be a broken promise that will cost Canadians drivers billions over the next decade in extra fuel costs, and will needlessly permit more car pollution,” he said.

In December, the U.S. Congress passed energy legislation containing new fuel efficiency regulations aimed at increasing mileage to an average of 35 miles per gallon or 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres by 2020. Analysis shows that the California standards are 16% more stringent for 2016 models and 18% more stringent for 2020 models than the new U.S. federal rules. The California law also contains benchmarks for carmakers to ensure they meet the targeted efficiency levels on time.

“The government is under pressure from the automotive and fuel industries to adopt the U.S. federal standard,” said Pierre Sadik, David Suzuki Foundation. “Canada must resist that pressure by keeping in mind the serious consequences of failing to take urgent action on climate change.”

“We can’t let the Bush Administration drive Canada’s climate change policy,” said Graham Saul, Climate Action Network Canada-Réseau action climat Canada. “California tailpipe standards should be our point of departure, and we should be working to catch up with European standards,” he said.

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