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“Nowhere is a commitment to principled policy, backed by action, needed more than in addressing climate change” ... a quote taken from yesterday’s Throne speech, yet climate change is mentioned 3 times in the 450-page budget document. This speaks volumes.
Ottawa (Thursday, March 4, 2010) - The government has refused to renew the hugely successful ecoENERGY for Renewable Power program, which ran out of funding last year.
"The Harper government is not being accurate in its new budget when it claims that that renewable energy is helping Canada to meet its ambitious climate change objectives," said Dave Martin of Greenpeace. "The budget failed to make any meaningful investment in renewable energy, and the governments climate change target is far from ambitious."
Despite a commitment to reduce fossil fuel subsidies as part of the G20 last year, the Harper government is providing $466 million in subsidies for carbon capture projects in the tar sands and coal generation.
"The government also continues to throw good money after bad by subsidizing Atomic Energy of Canada Limited to the tune of $300 million for commercial losses and general operations," Martin points out following the budget release today.
Graham Saul, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Canada responded to today’s federal budget with disappointment and frustration - “Just when we thought that it couldn’t get any worse, today’s budget is a monumental failure of this government to do what it takes to address climate change in a meaningful way.
"We are falling behind in the race for the clean energy jobs of the 21st century; the U.S. continues to outspend us embarrassingly 14:1 per capita on renewable energy. We have also failed to commit to our fair share in supporting poorer countries as they adapt to climate change."
With Canada hosting world leaders at the G8 and G20 in June, there is concern that we are not showing any leadership on several important international fronts. The Canadian government has missed another opportunity to make itself relevant with the pressing issues of climate change and international aid.
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