Justin Trudeau’s signature so-called environmental policy is, in reality, not an environmental policy at all, says the Conservatives Andrew Scheer

Not many days ago, Andrew Scheer, released the Conservative Party of Canada’s Climate Plan

Conservatives stated that they have a proud legacy when it comes to protecting Canada’s natural environment and improving Canada’s environmental performance ... and that the plan announced by Scheer, A Real Plan to Protect Our Environment, builds on this proud legacy.

These policies, the party indicated, will further lower Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen environmental protections - without taking money out of Canadians’ pockets.

It is built on three policy principles:

1. Green technology, not taxes
2. A cleaner and greener natural environment
3. Taking our fight, against climate change, global

A Real Plan to Protect Our Environment is Canada’s best chance to meet the Paris targets, without a carbon tax.

And what does Paul Willcocks and the Tyee have to say about this plan?

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer’s climate policy sets a new benchmark for dishonest political posturing.

Willcocks went on to say that ... the document is an expensive collection of words and photos that suggest Scheer’s advisors thought he needed to pretend to have a climate policy. It’s an insult to anyone who believes the climate crisis is real, or even anyone who expects some honesty from political leaders.

And it’s certainly not a plan to address global warming.

Well, it certainly appears that he DOES NOT see much good in Andrew Scheer’s “A Real Plan to Protect the Environment”

So, what exactly IS in this plan that apparently is pretty much the worst thing ever put together ... a new benchmark for dishonest political posturing?

The Conservatives let it be known they believe climate change is a real, global problem that will require decisive action at the federal level.

Here’s just a snapshot from the document, “A Real Plan to Protect Our Environment”:

For years, provinces across our country, and governments around the world have tried to reduce emissions with a carbon tax. It’s clear that this isn’t working.

It is time for Canada to be a real leader and bring forward new, innovative solutions ... with a balanced approach to reduce emissions at home, conserve and protect our air, land, water and wildlife, and take our fight against climate change global.

Our plan has three guiding principles:

·         Green Technology, Not Taxes ... strengthens Canada’s economic advantage and encourages environmental sustainability by making sure major emitters do their part to lower emissions. Guided by our Green Technology, Not Taxes principle, we will require Canadian companies to lead by example, investing in emissions-reducing technology if they fall short of emissions standards ...

·         A Cleaner and Greener Natural Environment ... we recognize the important work that is being done across the country by Canadians acting as stewards of our environment ... farmers who manage their family land so they can pass their farms down to their children and grandchildren ... community organizations who work to make sure parks and playgrounds are free of litter ... hunters and anglers who responsibly manage supply so next year’s season is better than the last; and park rangers and volunteers who make sure our natural landscapes are open for families and friends to enjoy

·         Taking the Climate Change Fight Global ... the current international approach to fighting climate change requires countries to self-impose domestic emissions reductions targets ...countries work to reach their own emissions reductions targets regardless of the cost or risks of carbon leakage to higher-emitting countries ...good opportunities to lower global emissions are sacrificed to focus on policies to meet domestic targets that will have little to no international impact ...Canada must look beyond our own ... it is a global problem, for which global solutions are needed ...focus efforts on the most efficient emissions reductions, regardless of what country they are in ...no way to do this under existing international agreements ... wealthy countries with good environment practices, like Canada, are forced to subject themselves to expensive emissions reduction strategies while high-emitting developing countries with lower cost emissions reduction opportunities struggle to make those investments

So, these words set a new benchmark for dishonest political posturing ... and ... it’s an insult to anyone who believes the climate crisis is real, or even anyone who expects some honesty from political leaders??

Real pollution, Chinese style

Sorry Willcocks but I beg to differ.

Scheer is absolutely right when he says that each country doing its own little thing, with no continuity of the ways to find and share the most efficient emission reduction ideas between countries ... having companies invest in green technology for their businesses rather than paying a fine (which simply helps Trudeau spend even more) ... and especially galling to me is that so-called developing countries (how the hell can China be called a ‘developing’ country?) get off with little in the way of reduction targets while countries such as our own get hit with absurd targets just to make up the difference.

Canada is already one of the cleanest and greenest countries in the world – and our resource companies have some of the highest standards in the world – but that’s NOT to say they can’t be better ... and I believe that’s exactly what the Conservatives leader Andrew Scheer is saying.

One last thing, from Andrew Scheer, that apparently to Willcocks is ... an expensive collection of words and photos ... an insult to anyone who believes the climate crisis is real, or even anyone who expects some honesty from political leaders...

Ever since the days of the Kyoto Accord – which previous Liberal governments committed to and then repeatedly failed to reach – Liberals have been all talk and no action on the environment.

Justin Trudeau’s signature so-called environmental policy is, in reality, not an environmental policy at all. His Carbon Tax gives big polluters a pass while punishing Canadians for driving to work and heating their homes.

Canadian families and small businesses will pay 92% of Trudeau’s Carbon Tax, while big polluters are only on the hook for 8%. It is no wonder Canada will miss its emissions reductions targets under the Paris Agreement with the Trudeau Liberal plan. The Liberals may talk about climate action, but by every measure, they aren’t as advertised. 

Canada can, and will, take action on protecting the environment – real action -- not the photo-op style of imaginary action undertaken by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and his Environment Minister Catherine McKenna.