Tories to inject millions into B.C. bid to cut gases
Times Colonist, Mar 11, 2007, A2
by: Ian Bailey, CanWest News Service
VANCOUVER — Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government will inject tens of millions of dollars into B.C.’s bid to cut greenhouse gases next week during a visit to Vancouver.
On Tuesday, Harper is to disclose B.C.’s share of the federal government’s $1.5-billion EcoTrust Fund during an appearance with Premier Gordon Campbell, sources say.
The prime minister’s visit continues a cross-country series of spending announcements made by Harper during Parliament’s March break.
B.C.’s share of the EcoTrust for Clean Air and Climate Change fund was not immediately clear, though each province’s share is based on population.
A spokesperson for the federal environment department said yesterday that Harper would clarify things on Tuesday.
The prime minister first announced the creation of the fund last month, initially ceding $350 million to Quebec, and has followed that up with $586 million to Ontario.
The green announcement comes as Premier Gordon Campbell’s Liberal government has recently announced a drive to cut the province’s greenhouse-gas emissions by a third by 2020.
The premier is to lead a climate action team that is to figure out exactly how to reach that goal though some measures have been announced in the province’s new energy plan.
Earlier this week, Harper announced $1 billion in new money for Canadian farmers, and $1.5 billion for Toronto-area public-transit projects that includes Ontario’s share of the EcoTrust funds.
But all of the EcoTrust money, including B.C.’s share, hinges on passage of the next federal budget, which is to be released on March. 19, placing pressure on the opposition parties to support it.
Harper has said that money from the fund will be distributed to provinces and territories to co-fund major projects to promote clean energy, and combat climate change, air pollution and greenhouse gases.
Are these one time funds, or onging annual allocations?
These funds amount to $60 per person to reduce GHGs. Peanuts, folks !!
I calculated that we could operate 2 to 3 million efficient electric vehicles solely on wind power. It would require 3.5 Billon in wind energy, and of course the electric cars. But the capital cost of the wind power is cheap - less than $100 per car per year, when ammortized over 20 years.
Comment by msalkeld — March 11, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
As I understand it is a one time fund using up part of the 2006-2007 budget surplus.
The amount is actually only $45 per person; a total of about $198 million for BC.
Comment by Ludo — March 11, 2007 @ 10:00 pm