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Ontario and Quebec Agree to Regional Cap and Trade System

June 2, 2008

In a move that seems to have as much to do with politics as it does with the environment, the two biggest provinces in Canada have agreed to start a regional cap and trade system for carbon emissions in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint.

Dalton McGuinty and Jean Charest, the premiers of Ontario and Quebec respectively, will sign the historic deal today.

The system is another step taken by the Canadian provinces to cut out the federal government from environmental action as they have deemed the national plan not nearly ambitious enough. Other provinces, including British Columbia and Manitoba have already began their own regional schemes, based on Western Climate Initiative started in the US.

Of the federal plan, Mr. McGuinty said “The federal government suffers from a lack of ambition when we talk about putting in place environmental protections.” The national leader of the opposition, Stephane Dion, also praised the deal.

Environmental Minister, John Baird, was quick to stand up for the national plan. “The reality is that the federal numbers will be demonstrably higher than anything that Ontario or Quebec come up with.” Mr. Baird also derided the two provinces for a lack of action to curtail carbon emissions from their large manufacturing sectors over the past five years.

Recent legislation in Canada that would support ethanol production did not make it through parliament. Although it was supported by the ruling Conservative party, their minority position was unable to pass the bill. Ethanol production in Canada is made largely from the vast wheat reserves which are far less efficient for producing ethanol than other crops, and would have hurt food prices.

This move is a continuation in the trend of provinces and states deciding to take more forceful action to cut their carbon footprint. Many have decided that they cannot afford to wait for a new President or Prime Minister to introduce the necessary goals so are taking it upon themselves to fight global warming. While this is certainly a welcome attitude, it cannot replace a truly ambitious national program to reduce the country’s carbon footprint.

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