Federal budget ignores environment

By: David Suzuki Foundation


OTTAWA - Today's federal budget fails to include real measures to protect the environment, says the David Suzuki Foundation.

"The federal government has repeatedly stated that climate change must be addressed and has consistently refused to do anything meaningful about it," said Dale Marshall, an Ottawa-based policy analyst with the Suzuki Foundation. "Canada is falling further and further behind other countries that are taking action on climate change. Not only is Canada out of synch with the rest of the world, it's being upstaged by its own provinces that are showing leadership and taking action on climate change."

Last week, British Columbia announced a wide range of measures to address global warming, including the introduction of a carbon tax. The carbon tax will apply to activities that have a substantial carbon footprint -- including producing and burning gasoline, diesel, coal, propane, natural gas and home heating fuel.

A new Suzuki Foundation report released on Monday finds a federal carbon tax or trading system would dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect the environment and generate revenue of at least $50 billion per year by 2020 -- money that could be used to spur green innovation and could greatly reduce the overall tax burden, including personal income taxes.

The federal government's own advisory body, the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy, and business groups like the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, have recommended a price on carbon to drive investment toward cleaner energy sources and reduce Canada's emissions.

"The federal budget does nothing to discourage individuals and businesses from doing things that harm our environment," said Mr. Marshall. "Without economic tools like a carbon tax, Canada won't be able to transition to a cleaner, more efficient economy or fulfill its Kyoto commitments."

Not only does the federal budget ignore pressing environmental issues like climate change, it also fails to contain dedicated funding to improve ocean management.

"The Canadian government has made national and international commitments to better manage our precious ocean resources," said Bill Wareham, a senior conservation specialist with the Suzuki Foundation. "Without funding to make this work, we face continued degradation of our ocean ecosystems."

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To arrange interviews, contact:

Dale Marshall
Climate change policy analyst
David Suzuki Foundation, Ottawa
Cell: 613-302-9913

Bill Wareham
Senior conservation specialist
David Suzuki Foundation
Cell: 604-740-4318

Sarah Marchildon
Communications specialist
David Suzuki Foundation, Vancouver
Office: 604-732-4228, ext. 237
Cell: 604-512-7689

More information:

Pricing Carbon: Saving Green: A new Suzuki Foundation report on a federal carbon tax system

Landmark budget contains strong measures to address global warming: A Suzuki Foundation news release on the 2008 B.C. budget

Budget 2008: The official Government of Canada website

source: David Suzuki Foundation