Recently, I watched a television program where a panel spoke to the issues surrounding the Cancun Conference on global warming.  I was startled when I heard a spokesperson from the Sierra Club state that Canada was the largest emitter of Green House Gases (GHG) in the world.

The next day I researched this supposed fact. As I suspected, the statement is not true for a number of practical reasons. First, how could Canada with only 33 million people pollute more than the US with 330 million people, or China and India with over a billion people?  This made no sense. Second, Canada recently reduced our GHG by 2% whereas China increased its GHGs by 8%. Third, much of our electric production in Canada is hydro-generated and by 2020, 90% of our electrical production will be produced by renewable sources.  Therefore, we cannot be as great a polluter as the countries that rely on coal generation. We also have implemented tough standards to lower emissions in the auto sector.

Naturally, the person interviewed would not purposely mislead anyone about something as important as GHGs.  I believe he meant to say that as per capita, Canadians are the largest emitters of GHGs. This I can believe for practical reasons. Canada is the second largest country on the planet.  We are the ‘Great White North’ where the temperature can be cold to cool for eight months of the year. Naturally, to get around this vast land we travel more, and to keep warm we use more energy per capita.

Our government does want to be a leader in the reduction of GHGs but we are not naive to think that by cutting Canada’s emissions (which emits 3% of all GHGs on the planet) we will save the planet. Canada needs to be an example to the large emitters and to make certain they are partners in lowering GHGs in this responsible way.  Our Minister was clear on this and through his strong position was able to influence the largest emitters to sign on to a joint plan to reduce GHGs.

Even though Canada is a small player, we are making a difference.  We should acknowledge this fact. Remember, if we go it alone at the cost of billions of dollars we will simply compromise our competitiveness in the global economy and end up broke with more GHGs blowing over Canada from our less responsible neighbours. Our government has set an affordable and responsible course.  We need to continue to set and meet these targets.

Colin Mayes MP
Okanagan Shuswap