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Canada has made an international commitment through the Kyoto Protocol to start getting its climate house in order. The simple truth is that Canadians have among the heaviest individual carbon footprints in the world. Canada must act quickly to reduce its climate impact by increasing energy efficiency, conserving valuable resources (including forests and other natural areas), developing new technologies and processes, and by providing individual Canadians and businesses the regulations, incentives and information they need to reduce their carbon footprint.
A crucial first step is for Canada to put a realistic price on emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). A charge of $30 per tonne on emissions of CO2 (or equivalent – CO2e) in 2009 escalating to $75 per tonne in 2020 is the most efficient way to send a signal across our society about the seriousness of the threat we face and our seriousness in seeking solutions.
Realistic pricing of GHG emissions will assist Canada in creating a clean and competitive economy that will help us further reduce our overall environmental impact. And it will also help to restore Canada's credibility as a constructive participant in international efforts to prevent catastrophic global warming.