Green Party wants biofuel initiative separated from Clean Air Act

News Release
For Immediate Release

Green Party wants biofuel initiative separated from Clean Air Act

Calgary, Jan. 8 – The Green Party of Canada today challenged the new Environment Minister John Baird to give the federal government’s proposed biofuel initiative a fighting chance of survival by cutting it adrift from the doomed Clean Air Act.

“Mr. Baird says he’s a man of action and on his first full week in the new job he has an excellent chance to prove it,” said Green Party energy critic Mark Taylor. “The government’s proposal to spend $345 million for biofuel research and development represents a great opportunity for Canadian farmers and for the environment.

“But by insisting that the biofuel initiative can only move forward as part of the Clean Air Act, the government is virtually ensuring that this money will never find its way into Canada’s green economy. The Clean Air Act is flawed and will not survive in its current form. It is a mistake to tie good policy like the biofuel incentive to bad legislation like the Clean Air Act.”

Green Party agriculture critic Kate Storey said that the biofuel industry offers important new marketing opportunities for Canada’s farmers.

“After years of low prices, biofuel has created new hope for grain producers,” said Storey. “It is unfair for the minority Conservative government to hold farmers hostage by tying biofuel investment to the flawed Clean Air Act.”

The Green Party strongly supports the development of biofuels as part of an environmentally friendly economy that also includes energy from wind, solar and tidal sources as well as a commitment to energy conservation. Government support for renewable energy sources boosts the economy by creating new “green-collar” jobs and helps the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

“The government can encourage investment in Canada’s biofuel industry by demonstrating a strong commitment to the development of renewable fuel sources,” said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. “Unless the biofuel initiative is separated from the Clean Air Act, this will end up being a lost opportunity for grain producers and for all Canadians.”

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Contact:
Mark Taylor, Energy Critic – 403-999-7632
Kate Storey, Agriculture Critic – 204-546-2099