Green Party lauds Quebec-Ontario climate pact

SUDBURY – The Green Party is commending the efforts of Quebec premier Jean Charest and Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty, who pledged yesterday to work together for real greenhouse gas emissions reductions through a regional carbon trading system.

“Provincial governments are getting tired of waiting for the Harper government to take the climate crisis seriously,” said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. “It is encouraging to see that Quebec and Ontario taking the issue into their own hands by putting forward a plan far more ambitious than the phony climate plan touted by Environment Minister John Baird.”

Ms. May noted that premiers Charest and McGuinty use 1990 as a baseline year and intend to work toward real, absolute reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, the Harper government uses far weaker intensity-based targets with 2006 as a baseline year. Despite the federal sham plan, Mr. Baird began to attack the Quebec-Ontario deal before details were even available.

“Minister Baird's attempt at a preemptive strike is pathetic,” said Ms May. “Ontario and Quebec are showing real leadership. The Harper government reaction is reminiscent of George Bush’s attack on California. Bush sued California to stop its vehicular greenhouse gas regulatory limits.

“The Harper climate plan is a fraud, and provincial governments have taken the lead.”