pfezziwig

The Conservative government released its annual busget this Mar19th,2007 and made many commitments to green house gas reductions Among the most popular measures introduced was the tax credit for purchasing fuel efficient cars. A basic $1000 rebate for automobiles getting 6.5 L/100 km or less and larger vans, truck and SUV's getting 8.3 L/100. There is even an additional $1000 tax credit available based on values exceeding those above (a Toyota Prius could get the maximum $2000). E-85 vehicles will also be eligable for the credits. One of the most surprising measures introduced was the plan to charge levies on inefficient gas guzzlers starting with the 2011 model year. This went much further than most optimistic environmentalists will admit. On top of this they plan to start leading by example. The federal government has 26000 automobiles and they are targeting a 15% reduction in green house gas production over 2003 levels. This budget left many environmentalists scratching their heads. They have generally opposed the Conservative government as their initial mandates and election promising were decidely anti enviroment but their actions after 1 year in office are better than they could of hoped for. Not surprisingly many of them are still anti Conservative even though this is the most pro environmentally friendly budget ever released in canada, they're a stubburn and ignorant bunch sometimes. As long as the policies are good who cares what party is in charge, come on environmentalists, admit they're doing a good job and start backing these great measures. Staff, GreenCarsNow.com , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuels.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Environment Minister John Baird made the announcement of a 31 million dollar program towards promoting green cars. Of that $21 million will go towards the ecoENERGY for a Personal Vehicles program. This so called program will provide information on green cars on the market in the form of stickers and websites. Is is just me or do they sound like the previous Liberal government that spends lots of money on promoting itself and getting nothing done. Do we really need 21 million spent on information websites and stickers? The websites already exist. That leaves stickers and advertisements for the Conservatives to promote green cars and themselves. They alluded to something useful prior to the announcement, giving $2000 tax credits to consumers buying fuel efficient green cars but decided on this personal Public Relations campaign of stickers and websites instead. If half of the 21 million goes to administration that could of left 10.5 million towards tax incentives to actually buy the cars. That could of helped the sales of over 5000 cars, instead we get a zillion stickers and redundant websites promoting green cars and the Tory government. Someone correct me if I am wrong, does this new ecoENERGY do anything useful, or is it a Conservative promotion tool? pfezziwig, GreenCarsNow.com