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Red Deer MPs challenge Liberal’s Climate Plan

Liberals unveil emissions-reduction plan to reach new greenhouse-gas targets
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The Suncor oil sands facility seen from a helicopter near Fort McMurray, Alta. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

Red Deer-Mountainview MP Earl Dreeshen says the Liberal’s new Climate Plan is unrealistic and creates uncertainty for Canadian businesses.

“When we have governments who keep moving the goalposts it’s difficult. This uncertainty forces investment to go elsewhere and set up shop. So the reality is global emissions are the same or worse, and Canadian business opportunities are dashed,” Dreeshen said.

On Tuesday, the federal government unveiled an emissions-reduction plan to reach its new greenhouse-gas targets by 2030. It projects the oil and gas industry needs to cut emissions by 42 per cent from current levels if Canada is to meet its new goals.

Since 2005, oil and gas emissions have increased 20 per cent to 191 million tonnes. The new plan hopes to see them fall to 110 million tonnes by 2030. They haven’t been that low in more than three decades.

“We have this abundance of ethical oil and the world needs it, but these guys are just putting up every roadblock that they possibly can. Who’s it hurting? It’s hurting our natural resource sector, specifically Western Canada, but also Newfoundland and Labrador,” Dreeshen said.

Related:

Federal emissions reduction plan still undercounts forestry, environmentalists say

Red Deer-Lacombe Conservative MP Blaine Calkins called the Climate Plan a complete disaster that Canadians can’t afford.

“This will be devastating for the Canadian oil and gas sector, devastating to Canadian businesses, and to individuals trying to make ends meet. Right now 60 per cent of Canadians are concerned they might not have enough money to feed their family,” said Calkins in a statement on Facebook.

The federal carbon tax rate on gasoline is also set to increase from just under nine cents per litre to just over 11 cents per litre on April 1.

“During a time of out control inflation and people worrying about the price of food, gas, and groceries, Conservatives believe Canadians do not deserve even more costs from Trudeau’s carbon tax,” Calkins stated.

Related:

Feds looking to protect carbon price with legislation or compensation contracts

Oil and gas sector emissions need to be cut two-fifths by 2030, new climate plan says

Transportation accounts for one-quarter of all emissions, and its carbon footprint has increased 16 per cent in the last 17 years. The report says by 2030 the sector should be able to cut emissions by 23 per cent from current levels.

The government will also aim for one-third of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold to be electric by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040.

— with files from The Canadian Press



szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

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