From Northern Neighbors:Reaction to Proposed Clean Air Law

The Canadian Chemical Producers Association (CCPA) says Canada's chemicals industry will support the federal government on its newly introduced clean air bill. The proposed law would provide the basis to move forward on emissions reductions and help address the uncertainty the industry faced in past years over this issue, according to a statement by Richard Paton, CCPA president. Paton says CCPA sees the government's bill as a "realistic and workable" approach to improve air quality and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Michael Bourque, CCPA vice president, says CCPA has already achieved greenhouse gas emissions reductions far in excess of the Kyoto target, "but we are always willing to do better." One item that can be improved in the bill is a better harmonization of provincial and federal emissions reporting requirements, Bourque added. Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper introduced a clean air bill that will set intensity-based targets to cut emissions. The targets will be set in consultations with the provinces and affected industries over the next three years. The overall objective is to cut greenhouse gas emissions between 45 percent and 65 percent from 2003 levels by 2050.