Just after MPs started the Easter break, I heard about the changes that were made to the Conservative's 'Clean Air' Act (Bill C-30). The NDP and Liberals make up the majority of the committee responsible for re-crafting the legislation. As a result, the bill has essentially been gutted and looks nothing like the original. Obviously, the Conservatives were none too happy about the changes and strongly voiced their concern over the changes that would hurt key industries and ultimately, the country.
One interesting addition to the Clean Air Act requires Canada to have the highest fuel consumption standards for vehicles in the entire world. If some other jurisdiction moves the bar higher, by law, Canada will have to do better:
New Clause 46.1
That Bill C-30 be amended by adding before line 1 on page 33 the following new clause:
"46.1 The Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act is amended by adding, after the long title, the following:
WHEREAS the Government of Canada is committed to a clean environment, healthy Canadians, and the reduction of domestic greenhouse gas emissions;
AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada is committed to having fuel consumption standards that meet or exceed international best practices;
NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:"
What if the technology to meet or exceed these best practices is very expensive? Car companies surely are not going to eat the costs. Car and truck buyers are going to have to pick up the extra costs. How is the government going to sell this to the SUV loving, mini-van driving middle class voter? What the heck does 'best practices' mean anyway? That is such a loose term, it could mean just about anything. So, if biking to work is the best practices of some third world country, does that mean that, by law, Canadians will have to be biking to work in February. I wonder what Buzz and the CAW thinks about this?
This is getting ridiculous, and everybody knows it. Many people have been speculating that there will be a federal election this spring. This new Clean Air Act may be bone of contention that may bring a confidence vote that triggers an election. Have a look at an exchange between the Minister of the Environment and the Liberals:
Mr. David McGuinty (Ottawa South, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of the Environment has now seen the amended version of Bill C-30, which passed in legislative committee just yesterday.Bill C-30 will be reported to the House later today. My question is simple and straightforward. Will the minister abide by the will of the committee, the will of this House, and move to adopt the clean air and climate change act as soon as possible?
Hon. John Baird (Minister of the Environment, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, the bill that will be reported back later today is certainly one that we are prepared to read, to have our lawyers look at and to have discussions on with my colleagues.I am concerned with respect to certain language that has been written into the bill. One of the member's own caucus colleagues said, "We're so far behind now" in meeting our Kyoto commitments "that catch-up is impossible, without shutting the country down". This is not a quote from 10 years ago. This is a quote from about eight weeks ago from the Liberal member for Halton. Maybe the member can tell us whether he agrees with it.
Mr. David McGuinty (Ottawa South, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, the retrofitted clean air act includes a comprehensive plan to fight climate change. It has targets. It has timelines. It has a clear framework for action. It brings Canada to the forefront of international trading, it ensures investments in clean technologies right here at home, and it outlaws hot air.Will the minister get the job done and pass the clean air act in the House before the end of April?
Hon. John Baird (Minister of the Environment, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, this government has a comprehensive plan to fight climate change, and we are actually doing action, not just talking. The member's own deputy leader said his leader just did not get the job done, and this is a member who this week voted against a budget containing substantial funding to help fight climate change.Let us look at what one of my good friends said about the budget and some of the announcements contained in it. He said that the environmental announcements contained in the budget were "a great day for hard-working Ontario families".
Does the hon. member know which friend of mine said that? Dalton McGuinty.
Read the rest here.
The Conservatives are not buying in right away. They have reservations. I just hope that they do not blindly believe that appearing green will get them the majority they are seeking. If they asked me, I would tell them to start telling Canadians just how much this Clean Air Act is going to cost everyone at the gas pump, on the car lot and on their heating bill. The majority of people are want to save the planet if it doesn't cost them anything.
The proposed amendments to the Act are reminiscent of communism. Fear has been stoked by Al Gore and the environmentalist zealots, now governments are using the opportunity to grab more control.
|