Ontario
Liberal plan means cleaner air
Dalton
McGuinty, MPP
Leader
of the Official Opposition and Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party
Summer
and smog days seem to two things that just go together, an accepted part
of modern life in Ontario.
But
it doesn’t need to be that way.
We
have unveiled a sweeping, new plan to clean up the air we breathe. This
plan will make a real difference in the health of Ontarians, by
aggressively attacking the sources of air pollution.
The
Ontario Liberal clean air plan will also be a boon to corn and soy
bean producers across the province, and it will create a new market for
dead stock.
Under
our plan, all gasoline sold in Ontario will be
required to contain at least five per cent clean-burning ethanol by 2007,
rising to 10 per cent by 2010. Ethanol is a clean-burning fuel produced
from agricultural products such as corn.
This
could double the market for grown-in-Ontario corn. Grown-in-Ontario corn
will become made-in-Ontario ethanol. This an exciting new market
opportunity for Ontario corn producers.
Working
with farmers and industry, our government will also develop and implement
an Ontario Bio-diesel Strategy that will include a future mandatory clean
renewable bio-diesel content in diesel fuel.
Bio-diesel
is a fuel produced from organically derived oils and fats. Biodiesel can
be produced from soybeans, canola, animal renderings and used restaurant
oils. Use of rendered animals is a major benefit to farmers. Removal of
dead farm animals is a major cost to farmers. Biodiesel processing could
significantly lower this cost.
Bio-diesel
and ethanol burn much cleaner than
regular gasoline and diesel. Our plan will mean major new investments in
rural Ontario and create major new markets for Ontario farmers.
Why
am I so concerned about air pollution? The Ontario Medical Association
blames dirty air for 1,900 premature deaths, 13,000 emergency room visits,
and $1.1 billion in health care costs and lost workdays each year.
An
Ontario Liberal government won't sit idly by when the air is so bad that
seniors are told to stay indoors, and kids aren't supposed to go outside
to play. Our government will take action to clean up our air.
Aside
from cleaner fuels, our clean air plan will also mean cleaner power
generation, cleaner fuels, more public transit, more energy conservation,
and a real commitment to renewable energy. Under our plan, Ontario's
dirty, coal-burning power plants will be shut down by 2007.
Ontario
electricity suppliers will be required to supply five per cent of their
electricity from clean, renewable sources by 2007, 10 per cent by 2010.
The capacity of the Beck Generating Station in Niagara Falls will be
increased, boosting its output of clean, renewable hydro-electricity by 15
per cent. And more than $150 million a year will be dedicated to
developing green power.
Increasing
energy conservation is also a key goal. Under our plan, Ontario’s
electricity consumption will be decreased by five per cent by 2007.
Ernie
Eves and the Tories don’t believe there is anything we can do about air
pollution. And let’s not forget that Mike Harris and Ernie Eves
cut the Ministry of Environment staff in half, decimating its ability to
protect Ontario’s air and water. Remember the Walkerton tainted water
disaster?
Liberals
have a different approach. We believe that we can do something about air
pollution. And that will mean more than a healthier environment. Our
detailed and realistic plan to clean up the air will also create new
markets for Ontario’s agricultural products. That means more investment,
more opportunity, and more jobs, for all of us.
Cleaner
air is part of our plan for growing strong communities. In addition, the
Ontario Liberal plan will also mean a stronger economy that achieves our
potential, excellence in public education, better health care, and a more
democratic government.
Our plan is fiscally
responsible. Top financial experts have signed off on our plan. We have
submitted our plan to a forensic accountant and two senior economists, all
working independently. They confirmed that our platform and the economic
assumptions underpinning it are prudent and responsible.
In
contrast, top financial institutions tell us that the Eves Tories are
hiding a deficit as high as $2 billion, while at the same time offering
$3.2 billion more in tax giveaways to corporations and $500 million for
private schools.
Our
initiatives will save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and result
in cleaner air for all of us.
Only the
Ontario Liberals have the vision, the plan, and the new perspective needed
to deliver real, positive change.
