Saskatchewan is emitting more greenhouse gas emissions per capita than any other province in Canada, according to a 2005 report put out by the David Suzuki Foundation.
The Green Party of Saskatchewan (GPS) views the lack of concern, engagement and expertise from the current government as void of leadership and another dangerous precedent. The GPS predicts the province will fall even further behind in environmental stewardship with recent criticism by Brad Wall this past week over the plans put forward by Ontario and Quebec to reduce carbon emissions.
Premier Wall claims his investment into untested carbon sequestration technology is superior to cap and trade legislation, even though it means Saskatchewan must continue its dependence on fossil fuel based energy. The GPS calls for investments in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar in Canada’s windiest and sunniest province.
“Basically, the Wall government is investing in a better buggy, while almost every other province has moved onto trains,” said Amber Jones, Leader of the GPS. “People of Saskatchewan need to wake up to the reality that we all stand to lose if we sit blindly to this type of governance over the current development. If we want to move ahead without expertise, without proper consultation, without a plan and without legislation to hold everyone accountable, that’s what we are getting. We lose as citizens because no one is at the table. Too many times, we have ignorantly sat on the sidelines in matters that affect us: NAFTA, the Wheat Board, now Climate Change.”
The GPS wants Saskatchewan to stop following in Alberta’s footsteps, and instead follow the lead in BC of the carbon tax or in Ontario and Quebec of cap and trade. The Green Party of Saskatchewan strongly suggests our current government join the Western Climate Initiative.
“We will applaud any initiative that will see a real reduction in emissions the Saskatchewan Party government puts forth, whether it’s a revenue-neutral carbon tax, a cap and trade, or something even better – such as a carbon rationing system” said Jones.
The GPS favours a carbon rationing plan that will see a definite reduction in emissions by allocating a total allowable amount of carbon to be emitted by Saskatchewan every year, and then distributing this amount to individuals, businesses, and governments. Once the carbon allotment is used up, more can be purchased from others in the province that use less than their ration. This will guarantee annual emissions will decrease without offloading the problem onto other jurisdictions.
The GPS is currently campaigning in Cumberland.
For more information:
Amber Jones, Leader
653-5836
Kelly Patrick, President
242-3759
