By MP Cheryl Gallant, MP
If anything demonstrates the difference between a National Conservative Government that implements policies that help Canadians, and what is being proposed as policy by an Official Opposition in Ottawa dominated by Toronto interests that promote ideology over common sense, it is our approach to energy and the environment.
We believe that a prosperous economy, a vigorous society and a healthy environment complement one another. When we became the Government of Canada, our Prime Minister refused to follow the old policies of the previous government that used “junk science” on the environment. They signed an international agreement with no plan, that would have resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs. In the economic downturn we just passed, countries that implemented junk science policies on the environment suffered. Canada, it is recognized, weathered the recession better than any other modern economy.
Canada accounts for less than 2% of global Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and has one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world – with nearly 80% of our energy coming from non-emitting sources. By comparison, the U.S. and China account for 39% of global GHG emissions. In 2012, greenhouse gas emissions in Canada were 5.1% lower than 2005 levels, while the economy grew by 10.6% during the same period. Per-capita carbon emissions in Canada have fallen to their lowest level since tracking began. The first 21 years of our new coal regulations are expected to result in a cumulative reduction in GHG emissions of about 214 megatons, equivalent to removing some 2.6 million personal vehicles from the road per year over this period.
If someone would like to know what a job-killing carbon tax looks like in Canada, look no further than the “global adjustment,” (GA) line on an electricity bill from provincially-owned public utility Hydro One. It is now estimated, that 80% or more of a residential electricity bill is a carbon-type tax on consumers, forcing them to pay for “green ideology” schemes that create more energy poverty among our seniors and others on fixed incomes with each scheduled rate increase. Worst of all, these energy schemes do nothing to help the environment.
Stopped in Ottawa, now in control in Toronto, people familiar with that liberal record on the environment every time they look at their electricity bill, should not be surprised that a total ban on forestry in Algonquin Park has been proposed. This is another ideological-driven policy that totally ignores the concerns of local residents who make a living from the working forest.
Canada has an intelligent policy on the environment, one based on jobs, growth and respect for the taxpayer. A new tax on everything, whatever the Opposition in Ottawa end up calling it, is absolutely the wrong thing for Canada today.
As your Federal Member of Parliament, I am pleased to represent you on a variety of issues. Whether that issue is promoting agriculture, international trade, Canadian Unity, AECL, the military or jobs in the working forest, I am here to serve you! As always, if you have any concerns of a federal nature, or just want to share your views with me, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Office contact Information: Constituency Office of Cheryl Gallant, MP, 84 Isabella St., Pembroke On. K8A 5S5 or call 732-4404. There is no postage required when you write your Federal Member of Parliament.
