It Ain't Easy Being Green
Apr 27, 2007
We’re one full week into the provincial election campaign and with daily announcements from each of the three main parties it’s easy to see that the campaign trail is heating up. And it seems that one of the biggest issues being addressed, in varying degrees, by each candidate is the environment.
The Liberals have shown their commitment to clean up Lake Winnipeg, the Progressive Conservatives have been touting a green tax rebate, and just yesterday the NDP took a stand on water conservation by offering incentives to homeowners who purchase efficient faucets and appliances. All of these are certainly steps in the right direction. But do they really make significant inroads into the environmental challenges facing this province?
For instance, is saving 3% PST on the purchase of a new hybrid SUV really going to clean up our air? Many Manitobans can’t afford a new car, never mind a hybrid vehicle. And how does this address all of the oil-spewing guzzlers already on the road?
Will efficient faucets reduce the number of phosphates in our lakes? The obvious answer is no. It may help us conserve, but it won’t make Lake Winnipeg any cleaner.
With all of the attention that the environmental file has received of late, it would seem that politicians looking for votes would be climbing over each other to make substantive commitments to reducing greenhouse emissions. But what we’ve seen instead are token steps that will do little more than save citizens a few bucks here and there.
The unfortunate reality is that to make any significant gains on our environment it’s going to require a government that will have to make some really difficult decisions and probably impose some stiff restrictions on pollution. That will no doubt anger many voters and industrial leaders – not a smart move when you’re scrambling for precious votes during an election. That’s also why we shouldn’t expect to see any strong positions on the environment during this campaign.
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Julian Moffatt is dead on. If we all start hitting these guys in the pocketbooks, they will change. The north american auto makers would be a good place to start. I will now await the wrath from the Union people for saying that. GO TOYOTA !
jimcotton - -0001-11-30 00:00
I agree with Jeremy and Russ on this issue. Nothing serious will be done about the environment with this election. All of the current environmental offerings by the 3 parties are fluff promises lacking teeth to make any change happen. If you are concerned about the environment (and you should be) DO NOT wait for politicians to lead us here. Step up and do it yourself. Put a dent in the pocketbooks of the big corporations that refuse to acknowledge global warming. They will change, but their bottom line has to lead them to it. Once you have taken some steps in that direction vote for the person least likely to bring more harm.
Julian Moffatt - -0001-11-30 00:00
I think we should rename this the COTTON BLOG - no offence Jim Cotton. Is anyone out there? If you have an opinion, let's hear it!
Debbie N. - -0001-11-30 00:00
I agree with Debbie, Jim brings life to the board and I enjoy reading what he has to say.
Fan of Jim Cotton - -0001-11-30 00:00
I can't afford a new car because I am being taxed to death.
JimCotton - -0001-11-30 00:00
They need to outright ban phosphates...it's been done in many places. And during the last 8 years nothing has been done about the raw sewage Winnipeg is pumping into the Red River, over and over again. The City of Winnipeg are worse than all the hog farmers combined, no question. The city , province and feds have allowed it to happen. No one has the balls to do what MUST be done on the enviroment. Doer or Mcfadyen. Very sad.
Jimcotton - -0001-11-30 00:00