Canadians Shouldn’t Have to Look South for Real Change

OTTAWA—With GM closing hundreds of dealerships across Canada this week, the Green Party hopes that Canada will fall in line with the recently announced US auto emission standards requiring 40 percent more fuel efficient vehicles by 2016.  This is a long overdue step in the right direction, and with another 12000 jobs expected to be lost from the dealership closures, failure to anticipate the shifting market to low pollution vehicles will only hurt the Canadian auto sector even more.

Unfortunately, as the United States takes action, no corresponding steps appear to be forthcoming from the Canadian government.  "Will Canada have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the new green energy future?  We could regain our international reputation as a leader and benefit our Canadian autoworkers if we take immediate action.  Otherwise, we will simply be swept along by the force of our southern neighbours," said Green Leader Elizabeth May.

“Fuel efficiency is necessary in order to ensure that the world's oil and natural gas reserves are used wisely.  At the same time, we need to turn our attention to funding the research and development of renewable sources of energy," said Amy Collard, Natural Resources Critic for the Greens.  

Canadians may object to always being the follower, never the leader.  Stricter emission regulations are an excellent place to start regaining our credibility by advancing a green economy to benefit Canadian workers.

“We are failing Canadians by not investing in the future,” said Lisa Fox, the Greens’ Environment Critic.  “Moving forward with a green economy can salvage both our economy and our environment.”

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
613-562-4916 ext. 244
(c) 613-614-4916