Quebec to get close to $400 million

[Leafless]

Well, well, well.

All of this money for WHAT?

How or where will this money be spent?

Where are the guarantees that this money will actually make a difference in our climate or the world's climate?

Will the tax payers of Canada be guaranteed results concerning Mr. Harper's generous $400 million dollar climate change gift to Quebec or is this simply further pandering to La Belle Province?

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/02...3596945-cp.html

And I'll throw this in to top it off:

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive...7/02/c4242.html

[scribblet]

Too bad, sometimes I think Harper is trying to out liberal the Liberals.

[gc1765]

Now does anyone still believe that Harper makes his decisions based on principles, not polls?

Too bad, sometimes I think Harper is trying to out liberal the Liberals.

You might be right:

Quebec has long been asking Ottawa for $328 million to implement environmental programs but the demand was rebuffed by Paul Martin's former Liberal government as well as by former Conservative environment minister Rona Ambrose.

[Keepitsimple]

The $1.5 billion is to be divided among all provinces and accessed via co-payment. As I understand it, if a province wants funds for a green project, they have to match it dollar for dollar. In the case of Quebec, I think they have already made specific investments in green projects and will be looking to use some of that previous investment as their "co-payment". I think that might also apply to certain investments made by other provinces as well. I think you'll find that this might help Ontario kick-start a new Nuclear facility and finally close the coal generating plants.

In establishing the Eco-trust fund, Harper is putting the onus on provinces to develop green plans - and that's where the onus should fall, for the most part, because each province has their own set of circumstances.

As for Harper governing by the polls and not by principles – remember that he was against the Liberal approach of making one-off deals with provinces. His principle was that all provinces should be treated equally or at least fairly. That principle is upheld with the Eco-Trust fund – he has given Quebec what it asked for, but not at the expense of other provinces.

Seems like a reasonable move to me.

[Saturn]

Well, well, well.

Will the tax payers of Canada be guaranteed results concerning Mr. Harper's generous $400 million dollar climate change gift to Quebec or is this simply further pandering to La Belle Province?

Hehe. He should have made the announcement in Edmonton, not Montreal

[geoffrey]

I certainly hope this is deducted from their transfers under equalisation... right... right??

Goooddd bye Mr. Harper.

[Leafless]

The $1.5 billion is to be divided among all provinces and accessed via co-payment. As I understand it, if a province wants funds for a green project, they have to match it dollar for dollar. In the case of Quebec, I think they have already made specific investments in green projects and will be looking to use some of that previous investment as their "co-payment". I think that might also apply to certain investments made by other provinces as well. I think you'll find that this might help Ontario kick-start a new Nuclear facility and finally close the coal generating plants.

In establishing the Eco-trust fund, Harper is putting the onus on provinces to develop green plans - and that's where the onus should fall, for the most part, because each province has their own set of circumstances.

As for Harper governing by the polls and not by principles – remember that he was against the Liberal approach of making one-off deals with provinces. His principle was that all provinces should be treated equally or at least fairly. That principle is upheld with the Eco-Trust fund – he has given Quebec what it asked for, but not at the expense of other provinces.

Seems like a reasonable move to me.

How can you possibly consider this move reasonable?

The money is not even in the bank yet as the $1.5 billion will come from the NEXT federal budget, which has neither been tabled in the House of Commons, nor adopted by MPs.

Harper is acting to quickly on this one and leaving Canadians out of the picture concerning details of the Eco-trust fund and his 'green plan'.

It should be up to the federal government to develop a 'national green plan' and not up to the provinces that can squander the money on insignificant ventures or plans to create another handful of millionaires with no real benefit to Canadian environmental concerns.

Harper should hang his head in shame on this one and stop wasting tax payers money trying to buy votes.

[madmax]

How much are Alberta and Ontario getting to fight climate change? Since these provinces are the larger contributors to GHG I would expect to see them get alot more.

Anyone know if Alb is getting anything?

[Keepitsimple]

The $1.5 billion is to be divided among all provinces and accessed via co-payment. As I understand it, if a province wants funds for a green project, they have to match it dollar for dollar. In the case of Quebec, I think they have already made specific investments in green projects and will be looking to use some of that previous investment as their "co-payment". I think that might also apply to certain investments made by other provinces as well. I think you'll find that this might help Ontario kick-start a new Nuclear facility and finally close the coal generating plants.

In establishing the Eco-trust fund, Harper is putting the onus on provinces to develop green plans - and that's where the onus should fall, for the most part, because each province has their own set of circumstances.

As for Harper governing by the polls and not by principles – remember that he was against the Liberal approach of making one-off deals with provinces. His principle was that all provinces should be treated equally or at least fairly. That principle is upheld with the Eco-Trust fund – he has given Quebec what it asked for, but not at the expense of other provinces.

Seems like a reasonable move to me.

How can you possibly consider this move reasonable?

The money is not even in the bank yet as the $1.5 billion will come from the NEXT federal budget, which has neither been tabled in the House of Commons, nor adopted by MPs.

Harper is acting to quickly on this one and leaving Canadians out of the picture concerning details of the Eco-trust fund and his 'green plan'.

It should be up to the federal government to develop a 'national green plan' and not up to the provinces that can squander the money on insignificant ventures or plans to create another handful of millionaires with no real benefit to Canadian environmental concerns.

Harper should hang his head in shame on this one and stop wasting tax payers money trying to buy votes.

A National Green Plan would be the typical "grandiose" plan that the Liberals are famous for - a one-size-fits-all that ends up costing tons of money, leads to bickering with the provinces, and ultimately goes nowhere - that's why all we heard for years was talk, talk, talk. Each province has distinct initiatives that they can embark on. Quebec uses mainly clean energy from Hydro. Ontario needs to shut down coal and go nuclear. Alberta needs to invest in ways to help the Oil & Gas industry reduce emissions. Newfoundland and Labrador are trying to expand Hydro. Canada is blessed with 10 very mature & competent provincial governments who have the ability to develop Green Plans that may be attractive for other provinces - "Green Best Practices". Although I despise the Bloc, Gille Duceppe was correct in saying the Liberals were like "Father Knows Best". That approach was tearing Canada apart - it wasn't only Quebec who was rebelling - Alberta, BC, and Nfld were also fed up and separatist thoughts were percolating. Conservatives have in one year, started to turn that around by going back to basics and respecting Provincial juristictions. The feds can do their part by setting national regulations and targets for emissions & GHG and encourage investment in Green Technology. And a final point - the provinces won't be wasting the money because they have to match funding on Green projects dollar for dollar.

PS: Someone asked if Alberta will get a big chunk of the money because they are big "polluters". No - the money will be divided on a per-capita basis.

[Argus]

Too bad, sometimes I think Harper is trying to out liberal the Liberals.

Like it or not, the hysteria over "global warming" is not going away, and is seriously affecting his re-election chances. Realpolitik says that he either addresses the issue or takes the hit.

I know, I know. In a perfect world, Canadians would realize what junk science is behind the greenhouse gas scaremongering, but in a perfect world all Canadians would be literate, too, and we know that's nowhere near the case.

You can bet that if the Liberals got in this money, and more, would have been spent anyway, likely to less effect. So it's either spend it nor, or wait until Dion is in power and watch twice as much piddled away for nothing.

It's fine to stand on principal, but the tories did that for decades and where did it get them? You have to compromise on some things in order to achieve others, and if that means addressing air pollution in the name of "greenhouse gas reduction" then that's not a terrible thing. At least it's better than funding canoe museums, blonde joke books, and Chretien's entire extended family.

[Leafless]

It's fine to stand on principal, but the tories did that for decades and where did it get them? You have to compromise on some things in order to achieve others, and if that means addressing air pollution in the name of "greenhouse gas reduction" then that's not a terrible thing. At least it's better than funding canoe museums, blonde joke books, and Chretien's entire extended family.

Why fund something if it does not provide results. Almost any project could be construed as being seen as a green friendly plan.

To give away tax payer dollars to fund provincial interest under the title of a 'green plan' is not the solution as compared to a more positive national plan.

Is there not other more important priorities in Canada that require more immediate attention such as our decaying health care system or infrastructure.

[Leafless]

And a final point - the provinces won't be wasting the money because they have to match funding on Green projects dollar for dollar.

PS: Someone asked if Alberta will get a big chunk of the money because they are big "polluters". No - the money will be divided on a per-capita basis.

This is a new plan.

Do you have a link that prescribes what you are saying?

[Argus]

It's fine to stand on principal, but the tories did that for decades and where did it get them? You have to compromise on some things in order to achieve others, and if that means addressing air pollution in the name of "greenhouse gas reduction" then that's not a terrible thing. At least it's better than funding canoe museums, blonde joke books, and Chretien's entire extended family.

Why fund something if it does not provide results. Almost any project could be construed as being seen as a green friendly plan.

Perhaps, but that doesn't mean any plan would actually accomplish anything. The Liberals spent billions on the environment and accomplished virtually nothing. And reducing air pollution is not a worthless goal. It reduces our quality of life and - our life, so sure, cut back on air pollution. I don't mind.

To give away tax payer dollars to fund provincial interest under the title of a

There's only one taxpayer. It doesn't really make a difference if the money comes from the feds or the provinces. It still comes from my pocket.

Is there not other more important priorities in Canada that require more immediate attention such as our decaying health care system or infrastructure.

Keeping Liberals out of power is an important priority for the future of Canada.

[Leafless]

Keeping Liberals out of power is an important priority for the future of Canada.

Good point!

But I think the problem going down that path is our dysfunctional electoral system.

This could also be combined with the undemocratic powers of the provinces themselves. That is having a SINGLE person, the premier who represents the interest of a provinces entire population, big or small, especially concerning issue's that are constitutional in nature.

Canadians it appears don't have much of a democratic voice in anything involving federal or provincial control.

[mcqueen625]

Too bad, sometimes I think Harper is trying to out liberal the Liberals.

Like it or not, the hysteria over "global warming" is not going away, and is seriously affecting his re-election chances. Realpolitik says that he either addresses the issue or takes the hit.

I know, I know. In a perfect world, Canadians would realize what junk science is behind the greenhouse gas scaremongering, but in a perfect world all Canadians would be literate, too, and we know that's nowhere near the case.

You can bet that if the Liberals got in this money, and more, would have been spent anyway, likely to less effect. So it's either spend it nor, or wait until Dion is in power and watch twice as much piddled away for nothing.

It's fine to stand on principal, but the tories did that for decades and where did it get them? You have to compromise on some things in order to achieve others, and if that means addressing air pollution in the name of "greenhouse gas reduction" then that's not a terrible thing. At least it's better than funding canoe museums, blonde joke books, and Chretien's entire extended family.

The last thing that Canada needs is to have another PM from the Province of Quebec. We will be right back to giving opening the purse-strings every time Quebec whines. When are we going to get a PM or a government for that matter that is going to tell Quebec that enough is enough? If they don't like it here, leave, it's as simple as that, but when you have successive governments regardless of political stripe pandering to every whine coming out of Quebec City, Canada will never become the country we could be.

[Leafless]

The last thing that Canada needs is to have another PM from the Province of Quebec. We will be right back to giving opening the purse-strings every time Quebec whines. When are we going to get a PM or a government for that matter that is going to tell Quebec that enough is enough? If they don't like it here, leave, it's as simple as that, but when you have successive governments regardless of political stripe pandering to every whine coming out of Quebec City, Canada will never become the country we could be.

Eh!

What politician would want to be the scapegoat for the one being responsible for the break up of Canada?

IMO Canada went soft on our constitution especially with the inclusion of the NWC and minority rights.

IOW they gave the country away!

[Figleaf]

Too bad, sometimes I think Harper is trying to out liberal the Liberals.

It my be a common tactic of both major political parties, but opportunistic pandering to Quebec has nothing to do with 'small l' liberalism.

[Leafless]

Too bad, sometimes I think Harper is trying to out liberal the Liberals.

It my be a common tactic of both major political parties, but opportunistic pandering to Quebec has nothing to do with 'small l' liberalism.

Then what does it have to with, no values, no principles, or simply LEARNED corruption something very 'small l's are famous for.