Debates of October 18, 2006 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are some of the main ways that our government can help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Having an incentive to switch to energy efficient and low-emission items such as hybrid vehicles, wood stoves, or pellet stoves, are just a few examples which we can help to reduce the harmful toxins and pollutants getting into our environment.

In provinces across Canada, as well as some states in the U.S., they have created tax rebate programs for people who buy hybrid vehicles. In British Columbia, Mr. Speaker, for a purchase of a leased or new hybrid vehicle the province allows you to be eligible for up to 100 percent PST to a maximum $2,000. B.C. also offers tax reduction incentives for those who use public transportation, Mr. Speaker. Ontario offers a partial rebate on the retail service tax with the purchase or lease of a hybrid electric or alternative fuel vehicle, Mr. Speaker. These vehicles are also eligible for up to $1,000 of the PST. Prince Edward Island offers a partial rebate for provincial sales tax and that’s up to a potential $3,000, Mr. Speaker. But Mr. Speaker, you’ll notice that the Territories was not mentioned anywhere here in my list. Where are our environmentally friendly choices programs? Where are our incentives, Mr. Speaker?

Wood and wood pellet stoves are also effective and efficient for the environment, Mr. Speaker. Some provinces are offering incentives to switch to these. I wish we had incentives, Mr. Speaker, because I’ll tell you Nova Scotia does. Nova Scotia offers a $200 rebate for people using Environmental Protection Agency certified wood stoves or wood pellet stoves. The most important fact about these things is the CO2 that it burns is actually neutral to the environment, Mr. Speaker, unlike oil and natural gas.

In the NWT our population is small, Mr. Speaker, but it’s certainly innovative. I can tell you that there certainly would be a lot of people very interested in taking up opportunities if reasonable, smart, environmentally friendly choice programs existed. With a department that has a budget over $50 million, we must be able to find some small amount of money to create a fair and reasonable program.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this is not an incorrigible problem that places like Toronto suffer from with their smog, but Mr. Speaker, I believe in taking good and practical, decisive action, Mr. Speaker, and I think this Minister should too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause