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Montreal, April 8, 2011 – Equiterre is profoundly disappointed with the Conservative platform, which contains very few commitments overall, and even fewer measures for clean energy, the green economy and the fight against climate change.
“It is extremely disappointing to see that Prime Minister Harper didn’t even mention the words ‘environment’ or ‘climate change’ once during his presentation,” says Steven Guilbeault, deputy executive director of Equiterre.
Climate change
The only mention of climate change is a reference to the current plan, which is described as working. “But despite their many promises, the Conservatives haven’t put in place any regulations to deal with the pollution caused by Canada’s largest companies, which accounts for more than 50% of GHG emissions in this country. Furthermore, GHG emissions have continued to increase under Harper’s Conservatives,” adds Guilbeault.
Energy
Beyond the investment in carbon sequestration, an unproven and expensive technology, the platform only refers to the Lower Churchill project that will, according to the Conservatives, reduce GHG emissions by 4.5 million tonnes. “But what about the additional 300 megatonnes of reductions that Canada needs in order to achieve our commitments?” wonders Guilbeault. “There is not one word on wind or solar energy, two of the fastest growing forms of energy in the world.”
“This platform offers no clear vision or proposals on protecting our environment, fighting climate change or greening our economy. Furthermore, the Conservatives are misleading Canadians when they claim that they’ve introduced regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the production of electricity; that is simply not true. This platform is either a tragedy or a farce, I’m not sure which is worse,” concludes Guilbeault.
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Source :
Eveline Trudel-Fugère
Équiterre
514-605-2000
