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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2011-04-28, Page 26Continued from page 23in every region and province of thecountry, including support to theLower Churchill hydro-electric project. The project will provide the Atlantic region of Canada something it lacks and is seeking – a major new source of clean energy. It is estimated the project would reduce carbon emissions by 4.5 million tonnes annually – the equivalent of removing 3.2 million cars from the road every year. In 2009 our government introduced tough new regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from the automotive sector to harmonize its regulations with U.S. national standards. Passenger cars and light- duty trucks emit 12 per cent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions. These will help achieve our government’s commitment to reducing Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent from 2006 levels by 2020 If we are re-elected we will extend the ecoENERGY Retrofit homes program by one year. This program will provide homeowners grants of up to $5,000 per unit to offset the cost of energy efficiency improvements. This successful initiative is designed to help reduce energy costs for Canadians and achieve a cleaner environment. This new investment will help families lower their energy bills and support jobs in home renovation We will also provide additional support for research and development in clean energy and energy efficiency and provide new investments to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Canada is successfully working to secure our position as the world’s foremost leader in clean energy production while ensuring that Canada’s precious natural treasures and resources are there for our children’s children. CB: A Liberal government would implement a green renovation tax credit of $13,500 for homeowners who undertake renovations that improve their effect in the environment. Be it new windows, a water heater, furnace or roofing, you will be rewarded come tax time. We will also invest in renewable energy and cleaner oil sands development. Also we will implement a freshwater strategy that will see much needed attention to the Great Lakes in areas of degradation and threats such as invasive species.GR: The NDP passed the ClimateChange Accountability Act thatwould have set real targets to reduce our dependency on oil and gas by providing investment in greater fuel efficiency and other measures to reduce our use. This would not only have been good for the environment, it would have also saved you money on your energy and fuel bills. Yet Stephen Harper ordered his un- elected Senators to block the bill. A Jack Layton NDP government would move forward on this act and fight the Harper-stuffed Senate. Jack Layton and the NDP will make the home Eco-Fit program permanent. The Conservative government has only extended this program for one year, making Canadians unsure whether it will be there when they need it to improve insulation, install next generation air-tight windows, and take steps to reduce energy use. That’s not only good for the environment; it also creates jobs and saves families money on their bills. ES: As mentioned earlier, the primary way we can make our country greener is to shift the taxes onto the carbon-producing entities. We will also become leaders in investments into research and development of green technologies which will result in permanent blue- collar jobs. The Green Party promotes crop diversity, local processing, local marketing and sustainable, environmentally-respectful techniques. We will guide markets so as to sustain farming families in the domestic Canadian market, reduce dependency on oil by transitioning to organic techniques and reduce crop failures by encouraging diversity. The Green Party promotes the accountability and traceability of local food markets. We promote pesticide-free/GMO free/additive- free farming and a high standard for organic production. Green policy rewards the farmer for the quality of food produced. Opportunities exist for green businesses and industries around renewable energy, value-added manufacturing and economic diversification. All that is needed is government’s will to allow profit to be made from these, rather than from continuing to bail out and subsidize old grey industries. The post-carbon economy offers great economic opportunities. Canada risks being left behind as thecurrent government focuses onexpansion of oil and gas at theexpense of well-paying jobs in manufacturing, renewable energy, and nation-building programs such as national building retrofits, high speed rail and enhanced grid connectivity.DV : I’m not sure what it is thatpeople are willing to do without. Dowe give up our cars, do we want the lights to come on? I think we should always be looking for better ways to do things, but change should always be based on sound evidence, not pie in the sky thinking.Currently we have some taxpayerspaying other taxpayers 50-80 centsper kilowatt hour for hydro they produce through solar panels. This is great if you are on the collecting side of things, but not so smart if you’re on the paying side of things. PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011. After a presentation by Huron East Against Turbines (HEAT) representative Robert Tetu, Huron East Councillor Larry McGrath wants to see the municipality’s official plan come back for discussion. Tetu, who is the Huron East representative for the Inter- Municipal Turbine Working Group, summarized the group’s last meeting for council at its April 19 meeting with an emphasis on the decommissioning of turbines. Tetu said that if the provincial government does not return to power, or if the Green Energy Act is challenged, and falls, in court, while unlikely, each municipality’s turbine policies would fall back on its official plan. Huron East’s current official plan lists a setback for a wind turbine as 350 metres. McGrath said that the Huron East official plan should come back for discussion and that council should consider implementing a 1,000- metre setback, or even a 2,000-metre setback, in the event that the Green Energy Act should collapse for one reason or another. When discussing a wind turbine development policy that was eventually defeated by council earlier this month, council had discussed implementing a 1,000- metre setback clause in that policy as well. Discussion on the official plan will return at the May 2 meeting. Official Plan returns over turbine setbacks Candidates vow to keep the environment safe Ice, ice, baby Senior students at Blyth Public School took ingenuity, insulation and ice to try and find a way to make a single, solitary ice cube last as long as possible. Some lasted a day, others longer than two, and all were impressive rigs. Shown are some of the students with their projects. From left: Daymien Brak, Ryan Plunkett, Jordan Hubbard, Samantha Kerr, Eric Steele, Joel Snell, Brittany Walden, Carlene Bremner and Amy Badley. (Denny Scott photo) 404 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 The Citizen Great books for everyone to enjoy. Drop in today and see our wonderful selection. Books for great spring reading SAVING SEEDS Subtitled “The Gardener’s Guide to Growing and Storing Vegetable and Flower Seeds” this book guides you through the steps of choosing, harvesting and storing seeds. Preserve the seeds of old favourites or your best performers. $18.95 ROOT CELLARING Natural Cold Storage for Fruits and Vegetables Save money and help the environment by learning how to store your fruits and vegetables the natural way. Learn about simple tips for in-garden storage or more elaborate cellars and how to make them work. $18.95 BIRDFEEDERS, SHELTERS & BATHS From works of art to simple projects using materials around the house, this book provides instructions and ideas for everyone from craftsmen to children. $18.95 THE ORGANIC FARMING MANUAL Organic food is the fastest growing sector of the food industry. If you want to learn more this compre-hensive 400- page guideshows to start and run a certified organic farm and how to market the products. $36.95 THE ORGANIC LAWN CARE MANUAL The ban on pesticide use on lawns doesn’t mean you can’t have a good-looking lawn. This 270-page manual provides information on how to have a healthy lawn, identify pests and control them. $26.95 GROWING TASTY TROPICAL PLANTS Here’s a guide to adding interesting indoor plants to your home that also provide tasty foods like lemons, limes, kumquats, figs, olives, coffee, tea, cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, black pepper and passion fruit. $23.95 GROWING AND USING HERBS SUCCESSFULLY Betty Jacobs helps you get the best results with 64 herbs. Tips on how to start herbs indoors and out, how to avoid buying costly perennial plants, how to harvest and store, and how to market them so you can make a profit. $18.95 TREES AND SHRUBS FOR FOLIAGE Some trees and shrubs can add interest and colour to your yard even without showy flowers. This 250 page book provides colour photos of 112 different plant with 725 species and cultivars to help you find variety. $24.95 CARROTS LOVE TOMATOES Gardening can be made more successful just by which plants you put near each other. This classic companion planting guide has taught a generation of gardeners how to use plants’ natural partnerships.$18.95 By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED