MP Mark Warawa Calls Bill C-288 "Reckless"

April 19, 2007

Environment Minister Reveals Impact of Forcing Kyoto Protocol: “Unemployment and deep recession”

Today Conservative MP Mark Warawa called Bill C-288 a reckless attempt by the Liberal Party to correct past mistakes in managing our environment after Environment Minister John Baird tabled a detailed economic impact report before the Senate committee considering Bill C-288.
“The Government of Canada study – supported by leading, independent Canadian economists – shows the cost of compliance with Bill C-288 at this time would mean devastating impacts for Canadian families, jobs and the economy,” says Warawa, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment. “Because of the inaction of the Liberals, Canada cannot reach its C-288 targets.”

The report shows the impact for Canadian families: 

• 275,000 Canadians would lose their jobs by 2009
• The cost of electricity bills would jump 50%
• The cost of filling up a car would jump 60%
• The cost of heating a home by natural gas would double
  

Canada’s economy would shrink by over 4.2%. This represents a deep recession in 2008. This is comparable to the deepest recession since World War II, which Canadians faced in 1981-82. 

“We believe there is a simple choice to make. Either the Liberal approach, which is to recklessly correct past mistakes with a plan that will lead to a recession or the Conservative approach, which is to pursue a balanced strategy that recognizes the urgent need to act on the environment, while also respecting our responsibility to keep Canadian families working.”

“Under the Liberals, Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions went up by 27% and Canada posted one of the worst environmental records in the industrialized world,” says Warawa. “Stéphane Dion is now willing to sacrifice the standard of living of Canadian families to make up for his past environmental failure.”

“Rather than playing politics with reckless plans, Canada’s New Government will continue to move forward with a realistic and balanced approach that recognizes the need to act on the environment while also respecting our responsibility to keep Canadian families working.”

Bill C-288 An Act to ensure Canada Meet its global climate change obligations under the Kyoto Protocol was introduced by the Liberals.  Bill C-288 has made it through the House and now, after second reading in the Senate, is going to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources for further study.