Liberals unfold economic and environmental plan
By Dustin Ruth, Airdrie Echo
Tuesday, July 7, 2015 11:25:39 MDT AM
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada Justin Trudeau unveiled the “Real Change” plan for Canada’s environment and economy on June 29.
The plan ranges from action on climate change, investment in clean technologies, restoring credibility to environmental assessments, preserving and promoting the national parks and protecting fresh water and oceans.
Marlo Raynolds, Liberal candidate for Banff-Airdrie, says the plan is strong.
“There are a lot of really strong pieces in here that together address some of our biggest challenges and ensure that we finally realize that our economic performance is really tied to our environmental performance,” he said.
He added not realizing how closely the environmental and economic performances are connected has been his biggest challenge with the current government.
In the case of Alberta, Raynolds would argue a lack of concern for the environment has led to significant challenges with moving products, such as oil, to international markets.
“Public trust and international trust in Canada dealing with environmental issues is simply not there,” he said.
Raynolds has worked in the energy industry for the past 20 years and has been employed for four years at Blue Earth Renewable, a company that builds, owns and operates wind solar projects across Canada.
With so many jobs in Banff-Airdrie dependent on the energy sector, Raynolds said it is “critical that we get this right.”
He explained that means reducing greenhouse gas pollution; rebuilding our relationship with First Nations people; and ensuring there is public trust in the environmental assessment process.
“We need to make sure we rebuild our trust,” said Raynolds.
He sees Alberta as being one of the best wind and solar resources in Canada and says the province should be tapping into that resource.
He believes some of the resources placed forward by the Liberal Party of Canada’s new economic and environmental plan will help utilize renewable energy resources and diversify Alberta’s economy.
“We should be a strong player in the rapidly growing renewable energy sector,” said Raynolds.
“Canadians really want to be a part of that sector and Albertans want to be a part of that sector.”
An aspect of the plan that will aid in the development of renewable energy and one of the pieces Raynolds has personally worked on and pushed forward, is the Green Investment Bond (GIC).
If put in place, Canadian would be able to purchase a GIC with a fixed return rate that would directly go to financing renewable energy projects.
“The interest rate is higher than a standard savings account and allows for a lower interest rate from companies who have to borrow that money,” said Raynolds.
“It makes renewable energy projects more competitive and reduces the price of renewable electricity, which makes prices lower in the long run.”
Policies on the electricity market are currently taken care of on a provincial level and Raynolds said the current situation in Alberta does not reward long-term thinking or planning.
From a federal perspective, the Liberal Party of Canada hopes to implement a mechanism that will work across the country.
“That’s why we went with the Canada IC because it is a financing mechanism where it doesn’t matter if you’re in Nova Scotia, or British Columbia or Alberta,” he said.
The plan also concerns the promotion and preservation of national parks, which Raynolds says is an important issue facing the Banff-Airdrie riding.
“Canadians want to believe and expect that national parks are truly a treasure for all generations,” said Raynolds.
“That means really focusing on and ensuring that ecological integrity is the first mandate of Parks.”
The Liberals also propose free admission into national parks during the 150-year anniversary of confederation in 2017.
With the house not in session again until after the fall federal election, the “Real Change” economic and environment plan is a stage for what the Liberal Party of Canada’s platform will look like.
Raynolds said no matter the results of the election, concerns with the environment can no longer be ignored.
“Ten years ago I thought it was impossible for any government to ignore big environmental challenges, especially reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but the Harper government has been very successful in completely ignoring any responsibility to do so,” said Raynolds.
The major energy companies in Alberta are ready to take actions that make both good economic sense and reduce pollution, he said, adding it’s time to do some federal leadership work with the provinces to show the “win-win” between economic and environmental performance.
“I would argue no government can ignore this,” said Raynolds.
(20min delay)