Questions on Climate Change
for the 2015 Federal Election
Note: When accessing hyperlinks (red and underlined) if clicking on highlighted text
does not open document hold Control (Ctrl) and left click.
1. Background:In May of 2015 in anticipation of the Paris climate change summit the Canadian
government committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (including all active greenhouse gases
expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents) by 30% of the 2005 level by 2030 from its previous 2009
commitment of 17% of the 2005 level by 2020. Environment Canada’s publication, 29/04/2015,
indicates that by 2013 the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is 4% of the 2005 level and the
current trend of green house gas (GHG) is upward. In other words, the 17% by 2020 commitment
required an average reduction of 1.6% per year (2009 to 2020) in order to meet the target. The
Canadian government managed a decrease of 4% by 2013, an average of 1% per year.
The 30% by 2030 commitment (May 2015) requires an average of 2% per year (2015 to 2030). Taking
into consideration the decrease of 4% was achieved by 2013, a decrease of 26% of the 2005 level is to
be achieved in the 17 years from 2014 to 2030, an average of 1.53% and a decrease significantly more
than what the Canadian government has been able to achieve to date.
Question: What specific actions would your government take to meet the target of a 30% decrease in
carbon dioxide emissions from the 2005 level by 2030?
Elements of the Answer: The answer to the above question should include:
 new initiatives and the beefing up of implementation and enforcement of existing regulations;
reductions in fossil use indicated by a shifting towards alternative energy sources as well as the
capture and storage of carbon will play a part;
 A carbon tax;
 a cap and trade for carbon;
 funding for research in renewable energy;
 policies that encourage reduction of the use of internal combustion automobiles in favour of
electric vehicles, public transit and bicycles;
 policies which support home energy efficiency are important;
 an ongoing public education program about the real and challenging issue of climate change
must be implemented;
 the Federal government must take the lead in coordinating the efforts of provincial, territorial
and municipal levels of government;
 Serious steps to phase out subsidies for fuel exploration, extraction and transportation.
2. Background: Three provinces disagreed with the federal government’s previous goal of the 17%
reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 (2005 baseline) and announced more ambitious targets
of their own. Quebec, and British Columbia have announced, a 20%, and a 14% reduction in emissions
based on 1990 levels, respectively. Recently, Ontario announced a goal of 37% reduction in emissions
based on 1990 levels. The initiative and successful action on climate change has come from the
provinces. Provincial measures include: the BC carbon tax, Ontario’s coal-fired electricity phase-out,
Nova Scotia’s cap on electricity sector emissions, Quebec’s cap and trade program and carbon levy, and
Alberta’s “Specified Gas Emitters Regulation”. The new federal target (30% reduction over that of
2005 by 2030) represents emissions 14% below the 1990 level of emissions and is still weaker than the
three provincial targets and is low by international standards. Furthermore, the Canadian effort to
reduce greenhouse gas appears to be piece-meal, lack coordination and does not include all provinces.
The provinces have called upon the federal government to act with them to prevent climate change.
Quebec Summit on Climate Change, 14/04/2015 .
Question: a) Can you tell us how your government would commit to working with the provinces to
standardize the goals for the reduction of greenhouse emissions in order that Canadians can more easily
determine what progress is being achieved?
b) What would your government do to support and encourage all provinces to enact legislation to
reduce carbon emissions, and would your government coordinate, lead and aid action of all provinces
to ensure that all provinces maximize their contribution?
Elements of the Answer:
 Federal legislation that suggests levels of reduction provinces should achieve;
 tying certain types of funding to the implementation of provincial fossil fuel reduction
legislation;
 making Federal Legislation on the protection of the environment stronger;
 refer to points made in Quebec Summit on Climate Change document;
 reconstitute the “National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy” to specifically
address the issue of climate change.
3. Background: Many eco-builders and environmentally concerned citizens considered the Federal
EcoEnergy Refit Program for home construction a success. Not only did it have a direct effect on
energy conservation, but it also kept energy conservation at the forefront of the home design and
construction.
Question: Would your government reintroduce an EcoEnergy Refit Program for home construction?
Elements to the Answer:
 Yes, we will re-institute the program;
 Either a permanent program or one with a duration such that all Canadians are able to plan for
making use of the program.
4. Background: The “2014 report of the Canadian Environment Commissioner” found that, despite
repeated statements by the government that Canada remains committed to meet its GHG reduction
commitments under the Copenhagen agreement, few steps have been taken to achieve these reductions
and that Canada will most certainly fail to meet its commitment.
Question: If elected what steps would your government take to get Canada on track to reduce its GHG
emissions significantly?
Elements of the Answer:
 Carbon tax
 Cap and Trade for Carbon;
 Major Govt Program in support of renewable energy;
 Simply advocating for greater efficiency of the use of fossil fuels is not acceptable unless
coupled with one or more of the first three bullets.
5..Background: Free speech is a cornerstone of Canadian democracy. Organizations of all political
persuasions provide Canadians a valuable service by gathering data and offering analysis and comment
on the issues of the day including climate change and Canada’s energy industry. Currently
organizations and individuals are being muzzled or harassed.
Question: If elected, what steps would your government take to ensure that the public is significantly
engaged in the discussion and the promotion of new ideas and policy on climate change?
Elements to the Answer:
 Repeal the rule changes that seem to have broadened the definition of political activity to
include criticizing government policy.
 Instruct CRA to be neutral in its decisions to audit charities;
 Take account of the motivation and potential biases of groups like “Ethical Oil” have in making
complaints about charities;
 Repeal the elements of Bill C-51 that characterize individuals and organizations as antiCanadian or “terrorist” organizations when they criticize and call for change to Canada's
carbon fuel and energy policy;
 Change current practice in order to allow publicly funded scientists to speak freely.
6. Background: The April Federal Budget provides an accelerated capital cost allowance to the
Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) industry. This provision is contrary to the governments pledge in the G 20
to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. The Canadian Government subsidizes the fossil fuel industry to the
level of about $928 million a year. This figure does not include provincial subsidies.
Question: If elected, would your government phase out fossil fuel subsidies and over what time frame?
Would you re-direct those funds to the development of renewable energy sources?
Elements to the Answer:
 Reconfirm commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies as agreed at the G20;
 Begin reducing such subsidies at once and develop a time table for complete elimination over
the next decade;
7. Background: Canada (B.C., Alberta, Yukon, NWT in particular) has great potential as a producer of
geothermal power – a cleaner, virtually endless renewable source of base electricity.
Question: If elected what steps would your government take to promote the development of
geothermal power in Canada.
Elements to the Answer:
 Review policies and ensure that geothermal is on a level playing field with other renewable
energy sources;
 Consider providing public support to develop the necessary data base to identify the best
commercial prospects;
 Consider partnerships in the initial stages of exploration to find locations suitable for
commercial development.
Background: Energy production, distribution and use in Canada provides huge benefits but is
extremely costly and often has serious negative environmental side effects as well as creating negative
social and economic issues. There are many important scientific and technical issues to be addressed in
Canada as the world shifts away from fossil fuels. This transition requires a broad and comprehensive
strategy on a national scale. In the past Canada has used with considerable success the National
Research Council (NRC) and its other national laboratories to address technical issues of national
concern.
Question: 1. Do you agree that there is a need to comprehensively examine all aspects of energy
production, transportation and use in Canada?
2.Would your government fund a major research program to focus solely on finding new and better
ways to produce, transport and use Canadian energy sources and to undertake this purpose through
national laboratories like the National Research Council (NRC) or “Centres of Excellence.”
Elements to the Answer:
 Given the complexity of global warming, the discovery of new ways to address energy needs
and use will require creative exploratory research with the mandate to do so;
 A central agency will support the efforts of the private sector and will also provide leadership
and innovation through scientific research;
 National laboratories are an appropriate tool to undertake work of such scope and scale of this
complex global warming problem.