Well, the last six weeks have surely flown
by have they not? It seems like only yesterday we started this grand adventure
to select our next Member of Parliament for the Royal City… And then
the Prime Minister and the Opposition leaders decided that since we’re having
so much fun in Guelph, Saint-Lambert and Westmount–Ville-Marie, the entire country might
as well join in.
Now, to be fair, as I write this I haven’t
the foggiest idea for certainty that we’re now going to the polls with the rest
of Canada on October 14th , just the certainty that everyone else in
the media seems to have. As a result, this article was originally scheduled to
lay out four questions to all the major party candidates that dealt with the
most important issues debated in this election. But with more time now, we’re
doing it as a four part series.
The following are the four responses to the
first question asked in my Candidate Questionnaire. Now, due to the limited
space in our esteemed publication, I’m afraid I had to limit myself to only
asking the top four candidates to participate, and then requesting of them to limit
their responses to a maximum of 100 words for each question.
This week: Question #1: What’s the best strategy for dealing
with climate change?
Tom King: The NDP has a better way for Canada and a better plan for the
environment. Our strategy will lower pollution by law. In fact, Jack Layton’s
Climate Change Accountability Act (Bill C-377) is the only science-based
targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent, by placing an annual
cap on the amount of carbon the big polluters can emit. Such a plan, advocated
by the United Nations, the European Union, Senator Obama, Governor
Schwarzenegger, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia, will help ensure Canada
reaches its pollution reduction targets in the short and long-term.
Gloria Kovach: It’s
important to set clear targets for reductions on greenhouse gas emissions and
not look at a tax grab and think that it’s going to reduce our carbon
footprint. The Conservatives have implemented the first ever Canadian plan
which forces big polluters to cut their emissions, focuses on carbon capture
and targets to cut air pollution by half in the next 7 years. We have increased
investment in public transit. Technology plays a key part in our plan.
Developing green technologies will allow us to cut our emissions while turning
Canada into a leader in this rapidly growing area.
Mike Nagy: As we have been saying for years now, the best strategy for dealing
with climate change is ours. It is investing in energy efficiency and
conservation first; taxing big polluters; honouring our Kyoto commitment;
putting moratorium on new Tar Sands development; developing and invest in new
low carbon energy sources' investing heavily in public transit including the
rebuilding of Via Rail and Light Rail; giving financial incentives for new
Green Collar industries and greening our auto sector. The strongest strategy is
an innovative strategy. The strongest strategy is our strategy.
Frank Valeriote: The best strategy for dealing with climate change
is the Green Shift. Only the Liberal plan keeps both cap-and-trade system a
possibility and immediately implements a carbon tax regime that will place more
money in the pockets of Canadians. Unlike the plan of other parties, the Green
Shift will work immediately to bring greenhouse emissions down. Economists and
environmentalists alike have praised the it as a bold and decisive strategy for
tackling climate change. The Auditor General will be asked to ensure that the
government does not profit from it, so accountability will be ensured.
For more information on the Guelph
By-election, visit my blog at http://guelphbyelectionbeat.blogspot.com/
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