Tories Defend Criticism of Quebec Climate Plan
Published by Cynthia Turpin on 2010-02-01
by Mike De Souza
Environment Minister Jim Prentice told a Calgary audience in a prepared speech this week that Quebec's new tailpipe standards for new vehicles would drive up prices by as much as $5,000, prompting accusations that the federal government was fearmongering.
When asked whether the government could provide an analysis to support its warnings that Quebec's plan was "folly," Prentice's spokesman explained that the regulations would drive up prices if manufacturers did nothing to improve their vehicles.
"The minister's remarks were based on principles of marketing and consumer behaviour," said Prentice's press secretary, Frédéric Baril.
Quebec's tailpipe standards for new cars were inspired by proposed regulations in California and are consistent with proposals from more than a dozen American states and Canadian provinces that make up almost half of the North American market.
"Quebec is not acting alone," said Quebec Environment Minister Line Beauchamp.
The Quebec regulations require automobile manufacturers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent in their fleet by 2016.
Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe said Prentice's remarks suggested that the government was about to give a free pass to the oil and gas industry and auto manufacturers leading up to next month's federal budget.
"Minister Prentice is trying to scare people," Duceppe said on Parliament Hill, describing Prentice's comments as an insult to Quebecers.
