OTTAWA - Sierra Club Canada supports the federal government's international commitment to eliminate subsidies to the oil and gas industry. The estimated $2 billion in tax breaks and incentives would be of greater benefit to Canada invested in green jobs and producing renewable energy.
"Two billion dollars invested in renewable energy could close a coal plant and create hundreds of new green jobs in Nova Scotia," said John Bennett, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada.
Last September in Pittsburgh, federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty joined other G20 leaders in committing to phase out fossil fuel subsidies yet no action was taken in the last federal budget. Despite the passing of the Kyoto Protocol Implimentation Act, the government refused to comply with the legally binding Kyoto Protocol.
"This government seems to have a problem honouring international commitments," said Mr. Bennett.
Sierra Club Canada sees this June's G8/G20 Conference in Toronto and Huntsville as an occasion to make good on these commitments and to steer the Canadian economy towards a more sustainable path.
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Contact:
Robb BarnesCommunications Intern
Sierra Club Canada
[email protected]
613.241.4611 x230