Source: Wall OK with Tory plan for now
Wall OK with Tory plan for now
Angela Hall, Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, November 20, 2008
Despite being outspoken about his dislike of "cap-and-trade" systems for greenhouse gases, Premier Brad Wall held off Wednesday on criticizing the federal government for signalling such a system is on the way.
The throne speech delivered in Ottawa said the federal Conservatives will work with the provinces and other partners on developing and implementing a North America-wide cap-and-trade system.
Ontario, B.C., Manitoba and Quebec already support the idea of a system where industrial emissions are capped and larger polluters can purchase credits from greener companies.
But Wall's Saskatchewan Party government has always maintained that any revenues generated in the province from fines levied on heavy emitters would need to stay here to help find climate change solutions.
"We'll have to find out more about that," the premier said when asked about the federal government's throne speech commitment.
Meanwhile, Wall also cast doubt on whether there's enough of an appetite for a North American cap-and-trade system given the current economic turmoil.
"I think you'd be hard-pressed to find very many Americans today who would say that their carbon footprint is anywhere near their top 10 priorities. They're worried about their jobs, they're worried about their pensions, and they're worried about their mortgages. I think that's true of many Canadians as well," he said.
"What we don't need is to further damage the economy with environmental policy especially if this cap-and-trade system is simply about shifting emissions around and not finding the technological solutions that we need."
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Lorne Calvert questioned where the Conservative commitment to cap-and-trade was during the recent federal election campaign.
"I guess some of the devil is going to be in the detail. ... I have shared some of the same view of the premier, that a system that doesn't effectively reduce emissions but only pays for them through charges or fees is a questionable approach," said Calvert.
"That said, it would appear that the premier's voice has not been heard in Ottawa. Saskatchewan's position has not been reflected in the federal government even though we elected that whole crew of Conservative members of Parliament."
Both Wall and Calvert were critical of the government for not indicating that there will be help for the struggling livestock sector.
Wall said Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud was scheduled to speak Wednesday afternoon with his federal counterpart, Saskatchewan MP Gerry Ritz, and that Bjornerud intended raise the issue of help for cattle producers.
"If there is going to be sector bailouts, I think a very compelling need is the cattle sector in Western Canada and across the country," Wall said.
__________________________________________________________
I think it's time for the "Cap & Trade" concept to be dissected in light of the current
economic Global tail-spin...and this Thread has absolutely nothing to do with
religion as far as I can see. This is a purely Economic and Political topic. With this
"meat & potatoes" subject, the fight can begin anew.
Ya' know, I haven't been falsely accused of being a Neo-Con for weeks now. I almost
miss that derogatory label.
Wall OK with Tory plan for now
Angela Hall, Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, November 20, 2008
Despite being outspoken about his dislike of "cap-and-trade" systems for greenhouse gases, Premier Brad Wall held off Wednesday on criticizing the federal government for signalling such a system is on the way.
The throne speech delivered in Ottawa said the federal Conservatives will work with the provinces and other partners on developing and implementing a North America-wide cap-and-trade system.
Ontario, B.C., Manitoba and Quebec already support the idea of a system where industrial emissions are capped and larger polluters can purchase credits from greener companies.
But Wall's Saskatchewan Party government has always maintained that any revenues generated in the province from fines levied on heavy emitters would need to stay here to help find climate change solutions.
"We'll have to find out more about that," the premier said when asked about the federal government's throne speech commitment.
Meanwhile, Wall also cast doubt on whether there's enough of an appetite for a North American cap-and-trade system given the current economic turmoil.
"I think you'd be hard-pressed to find very many Americans today who would say that their carbon footprint is anywhere near their top 10 priorities. They're worried about their jobs, they're worried about their pensions, and they're worried about their mortgages. I think that's true of many Canadians as well," he said.
"What we don't need is to further damage the economy with environmental policy especially if this cap-and-trade system is simply about shifting emissions around and not finding the technological solutions that we need."
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Lorne Calvert questioned where the Conservative commitment to cap-and-trade was during the recent federal election campaign.
"I guess some of the devil is going to be in the detail. ... I have shared some of the same view of the premier, that a system that doesn't effectively reduce emissions but only pays for them through charges or fees is a questionable approach," said Calvert.
"That said, it would appear that the premier's voice has not been heard in Ottawa. Saskatchewan's position has not been reflected in the federal government even though we elected that whole crew of Conservative members of Parliament."
Both Wall and Calvert were critical of the government for not indicating that there will be help for the struggling livestock sector.
Wall said Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud was scheduled to speak Wednesday afternoon with his federal counterpart, Saskatchewan MP Gerry Ritz, and that Bjornerud intended raise the issue of help for cattle producers.
"If there is going to be sector bailouts, I think a very compelling need is the cattle sector in Western Canada and across the country," Wall said.
__________________________________________________________
I think it's time for the "Cap & Trade" concept to be dissected in light of the current
economic Global tail-spin...and this Thread has absolutely nothing to do with
religion as far as I can see. This is a purely Economic and Political topic. With this
"meat & potatoes" subject, the fight can begin anew.
Ya' know, I haven't been falsely accused of being a Neo-Con for weeks now. I almost
miss that derogatory label.