April 10, 2011
In response to the climate change and energy aspects of the New Democratic Party Platform, Graham Saul, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Canada has responded as follows:
“The NDP have released a Platform that would be a good ‘first step’ in promoting clean energy jobs and fighting climate change.
Positive dimensions of the Platform include a proposal for a cap and trade system, with absolute limits on greenhouse gas emissions from big industrial polluters with revenues going towards clean energy initiatives across the country. The Platform commits to supporting communities both in Canada and developing countries who are already dealing with the impacts of climate change, as well as ensuring that Canada would play a leadership role in international climate change negotiations.
It is good to see the NDP Platform proposing to immediately end hand-outs to big oil companies, although unfortunately the Platform still proposes tax breaks for home heating oil, a fossil fuel subsidy itself.
The Platform proposes support for clean energy and energy efficiency through multiple federal programs that offer financial support in addition to building clean energy jobs here in Canada. It also proposes to create a National Public Transit Strategy that would ensure long-term investment to green the way Canadians get around.
The Platform promises to re-introduce and adopt the Climate Change Accountability Act (Bill C-311), which was Canada’s most ambitious piece of climate change legislation prior to being killed in an unprecedented vote by Conservative senators before it was even debated. This occurred after the bill had been passed by the majority of Members of Parliament in the House of Commons.”
For further comment: Graham Saul, 613. 558.3368
